Endgame

by Wilna Adriaanse

  “Did I scare you off?”

  “No, not at all. I just have problems that can’t wait while I enjoy a meal and relax a little.”

  She smiled. “Your loss. Call me when you have time.”

  He followed her with his eyes. “Are you only getting home now?”

  She stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Yes, why?”

  He hesitated, then realised in a few minutes she’d see the police going in and out.

  “A friend of mine shot himself in my flat earlier this afternoon.”

  She came walking back. “Bloody hell! That’s bad. Was he the guy I’ve been seeing around here for a week or so?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you know why he did it?”

  “He and his wife recently got divorced. The kids live with her.” He said nothing about prison. Nothing about the part he’d played, but it burned in him like bile. Even his mouth tasted bitter.

  She touched his arm. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how awful it must be.”

  “The police are on their way and they’ll probably be in and out for a while.”

  “Don’t worry. Can I make you something to drink?”

  “No, thanks.”

  She walked back to her flat.

  Nick’s phone rang just as he got back inside. It was Riana. He remained standing with his back against the door.

  “Hi, Nick. I see you’ve been looking for me.”

  “Where are you?”

  “The kids and I have just got home.”

  “Are you going out tonight?”

  “No, why do you ask?” Riana laughed. “Looking for a date?”

  “I want to pop in, but I’ll phone before I come.”

  “Fine. Is Nols coming too? He was supposed to have come to see the kids a few days ago but every day there was a different excuse. It seems he went to a few interviews. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing that he’s planning to move to Cape Town. I would have preferred for us to deal with the divorce first. He’s very emotional. He called me at work this morning to ask if we could try again. He said he’ll never stop loving me.”

  Nick’s eyes involuntarily fell on the dead man on the couch. Maybe he should give her the news on the phone. The way she sounded, it would probably be a relief. But he didn’t do it. He wanted to believe she would pause with him for a while and mourn the loss of a life.

  He had just said goodbye when there was a knock on the door. He opened to let Clive, Phillips and Mossie in.

  Clive briefly laid a hand on his arm. “Have you touched anything?”

  Nick shook his head. “Just the front door.”

  “Good.” He looked at the two younger men. “Do your job.” He motioned Nick towards the small dining-room table at the window. He took out his notebook when they’d sat down.

  “Start at the beginning and tell me what happened. Who is he? Why is he in your flat? I want to know everything.”

  Nick sat in silence before he began to talk. He started with the two of them meeting in college. He told Clive about their friendship, the trial, the prison sentence. He ended where he had opened the front door.

  “Please tell me it’s not your pistol.”

  Nick shook his head. “It isn’t. I didn’t know he had one. Not that it would have been hard to get his hands on one. They’re a dime a dozen.”

  “Did you have any reason to believe he would do this?”

  Nick tried to recall the past few days. In all honesty, he hadn’t really been paying attention. He’d been too busy with his own affairs.

  Nols had been too much of a reminder of things he wanted to forget. He wanted to believe Nols would be okay. Find a job again, rebuild his relationship with his children, maybe even meet someone who would be good to him. The alternative would just make his own guilt feelings worse.

  “I don’t know what to say. It couldn’t have been easy for him.”

  “Did you ever discuss suicide?”

  “Not that I remember.”

  “Do you have contact with his ex? We’ll have to take down a statement.”

  “I don’t even know if he’s seen her since he arrived.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Let’s hear what she has to say.” Clive looked around him in the flat. “Are you going to sleep here tonight?”

  “No, I was here to fetch my things. I’m still stuck with Allegretti.”

  “Well, go pack your stuff while they’re finishing up in here.”

  Nick got to his feet. He took a few steps, then stopped and turned. “Thanks.”

  Clive raised his hand. “Shit happens. One day it’ll be my turn.”

  “What’s all this noise?” Nazeem Williams asked as he entered the living room.

  Sally turned around. “Ah, the big man himself. Our king.” She took a bow in his direction.

  Williams noticed Ellie and raised his eyebrows. “Miss McKenna! I didn’t know you were here.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t let you know I was coming. I was in the area, so I dropped in to hear how you are.”

  Reggie and Elroy walked into the room.

  Sally looked at Reggie. “The prince is also here.”

  “Auntie Sally, it’s not my fault your son is useless,” the young man said.

  Nazeem turned to Reggie, giving him a look that made him turn away.

  Ellie wanted to get up but she didn’t want to lose the moment. The seams were unravelling and a few undergarments were showing: a rare view of a complicated family structure.

  She saw Elroy’s eyes widen at the sight of her.

  “Hello, Elroy,” she said.

  “Good evening, Miss McKenna.”

  “What are you doing here?” Reggie asked Calvin and Hannes. “Don’t you have work to do?”

  “It’s not your house. We can sit where we want.”

  “I gave you work to do. I’m sure you haven’t finished it.”

  “Uncle, we have to talk.” Calvin ignored Reggie and looked at Williams.

  Williams ran his hand over his brow. “What’s going on tonight? My house has turned into a circus. You’re carrying on like a troop of monkeys. Can’t you see we have a guest?”

  “Since when is she a guest?”

  “Reggie! I’ve had enough.”

  Reggie took a few more steps into the room. He raised his arms. “No, Uncle, let’s talk about this. Let’s say it like it is. From the first time she came here she’s caused nothing but trouble. I don’t fall for her sweet talk. I don’t know why you don’t see through her.”

  Ellie felt a prickling sensation in her neck. She thought it best to keep quiet. The less she said, the better.

  “Reggie, I said that’s enough.”

  She noticed how tired Williams looked. Older too.

  “Calvin, come to my study so we can talk.” He looked at Ellie. “Will you excuse us for a moment, Miss McKenna?”

  “I really just came to find out how you are. I’ll come back at a more convenient time.”

  “No, I want to have a word with you. We won’t be long.”

  When Reggie wanted to follow them, Williams stopped him. “I want to talk to Calvin alone.”

  Reggie fell down in a chair opposite Ellie. “Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been putting all sorts of ideas into his head.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You with your questions. Asking him if he can trust me and if I have Clara.”

  A fine mist of saliva accompanied his words.

  “I told you I don’t know who’s got her or where she is.” He looked up at Elroy, who was still standing in the doorway. “What are you standing there for like a deer in the headlights? Get us something to drink.”

  Elroy disappeared into the kitchen.

  “Reggie, we’re all nervous, but it’s no excuse for bad manners,” Mavis said. “Behave, or go home.”

  Ellie had never seen Mavis annoyed before.

  “Tell him,” said Sally before Reggie had a chance to reply. “He�
�s very cocky.”

  “And what are you? An old whore who couldn’t even look after her own children.”

  “Reggie!” Mavis got to her feet and walked towards him. She took him by the arm and pulled him to his feet. “Go home and see that you bring your manners next time you come here, or you won’t set foot in this house again. Understood?”

  “Yes, go, why don’t you, before I cut you down to size …”

  Mavis turned to Sally. “And that’s enough from you as well. Go to your room before I say something I shouldn’t.”

  Sally got up. “Hannes, come, let’s go for a drive. If you’re a good boy, I’ll buy you a shot. I’ve heard enough preaching for one day.”

  “I think Calvin and I still have to drive back tonight,” he protested.

  “Nonsense, you’re not going anywhere. Come …” She looked at Mavis over her shoulder. “Don’t wait up.”

  When everyone had left and she was alone with Ellie, Mavis began to cry. “I’m sorry, Miss. These past few weeks the devil seems to have got into everyone. I don’t know what to do any more. Just look at Nazeem. I forced him to see the doctor the other day. His blood pressure is sky high and the doctor warned him … If he carries on like this, we’ll be digging his grave one of these days.”

  “I’m sorry if my presence added to your troubles. I’ll make sure to call first in future.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  Elroy came in and gave Mavis a questioning look. “Where did everyone go?”

  “I’d had enough of their nonsense. I don’t know where they went. Come sit with us.”

  “Where’s Calvin?”

  “He and Uncle are still talking.”

  “I think I should go as well.”

  “Elroy, what’s up with you? You have such a hangdog look about you lately. Sit down and tell me about your neck. I see you’re no longer wearing that thing.”

  “It’s fine, Auntie Mavis.”

  Ellie noticed that he deliberately avoided looking at her.

  “Mrs Williams, could I ask you for a cup of coffee after all?”

  The woman smiled. “I was just going to make myself a cup.”

  “I’ll go,” Elroy offered.

  “No, I’ve tasted your coffee … I’ll make it myself. You two keep each other company.”

  Elroy waited until Mavis had left the room. Then he whispered: “Miss McKenna, you must stop coming here. Things aren’t going well. Everyone is at each other’s throats.”

  “All families have trouble at times, Elroy. Tell me why you think I’ll get hurt. And why are you so nervous? Who’s scaring you?”

  “No one is scaring me, it’s just …” He looked towards the doorway and shook his head. “You have to trust me.”

  Ellie felt her patience wearing thin. “With what, Elroy? You warn me and tell me to trust you, but with what? Why don’t you tell me what you’re talking about, because I don’t understand.”

  “Reggie is difficult. Uncle is suspicious these days. He has trouble with his people and Reggie says it’s since you came here. You’re sowing suspicion.”

  “Do the others believe it too?”

  Elroy raised his hands. “It doesn’t matter who believes what. Just leave it and go on holiday somewhere.”

  “And Clara? Don’t you care what happens to Clara?”

  He looked away.

  “Elroy, what aren’t you telling me?”

  He got up and Ellie heard Mavis enter the room. Elroy took the tray and held it for her. His hands were trembling.

  Ellie felt like grabbing him, dragging him out of there and choking him until he told her what he knew. Instead, she smiled and took the cup. She drank quickly and waited for the cup to cool a little at least before she got up.

  “Mrs Williams, please tell Mr Williams he’s welcome to phone me, but I really have to go now.”

  “Wait, I’ll find out how far he is.”

  “No, please don’t. I can see he’s busy.” She looked at Elroy. “Will you please open the gate for me?”

  Ellie closed the front door behind them and took Elroy by the arm.

  “I know you helped Clara to see Allegretti. I’ve racked my brains and it’s the only possibility that makes sense. That’s why someone is threatening Allegretti. You say you didn’t kidnap her and you don’t know where she is, but you told someone they’re still seeing each other. You’re the only one she would have trusted.”

  “That’s dangerous talk.”

  “But we both know I’m right. If I want to find Clara, I’ll have to tell Uncle the two of you need to talk. Or, even better, maybe I should tell Reggie.”

  “I’m sticking out my neck to warn you and you threaten me with Reggie, of all people! What kind of thanks is that?” Ellie heard the annoyance in his voice.

  “I’m worried about her, Elroy, and I don’t know where to look for her.”

  “I’ve told you, let it go.”

  “I promised Mr Williams I’d look for her. What will I tell him if I suddenly stop?”

  “Tell him you tried everything.”

  “But I haven’t tried everything.”

  He looked frustrated. “You don’t understand Reggie. And Reggie isn’t the worst.”

  “Who’s worse? Your uncle?”

  He shook his head. “He’s getting old.”

  “Well, who?”

  “Miss McKenna, this is not your world. Things aren’t what they seem. Trust me when I tell you to get out.” He opened the gate. “I have to go.”

  Ellie stepped out onto the pavement. Her back felt exposed all the way to her car.

  Nick looked at the woman sitting opposite him. Though her face betrayed the hardship of the past few years, she was still attractive. Now, her face seemed to have gone quiet. Lost all expression. Her hands lay in her lap where she was fumbling with her blouse.

  “Have you seen him since he got here?”

  “Only once, without the kids. I wanted the two of us to discuss a few things. He was supposed to have come to see the children, but, as I’ve told you, he kept calling with an excuse.”

  “He told me you were all going to some school function and that afterwards you were going out for supper.”

  Riana sighed. “He was lying.”

  Clive asked whether she’d had any reason to suspect that Nols would take his own life.

  “I want to say no, but actually I’m not sure.” She looked at Nick. “I’m seeing someone else and he took it badly.”

  Nick pointed at the gifts he had brought. “We had to remove the wrapping. There were blood spatters …”

  He saw the gooseflesh on her arms. “I’m not sure I want to give them to the kids.”

  “It’s your decision, but I think one day when they’re old enough to understand, they’ll be glad to know that he gave them something.”

  When Nick got up, Riana looked at him. “Can you stay a while?”

  “Unfortunately not, but I’ll come back when things have calmed down at work.”

  At the front door she said: “I’ll never allow any child of mine to become a policeman. It’s a job that kills you in different ways.”

  Neither Nick nor Clive replied. It was dark when they walked out. Nick saw that it had begun to rain. He wished he could go for a walk. When he was a boy he and his brother had liked playing in the rain. He’d read somewhere that rain restored your balance. Maybe it was something children instinctively knew.

  CHAPTER 31

  Ellie was relieved to close the car door and lock it. Why had she come here tonight? Was it a premonition? Her father had taught her that if you looked at things for long enough, you’d always find something. That was why the police often revisited a crime scene and spoke to the closest relatives. Not because they necessarily suspected anything, but instinctively they knew that at some point something had to give. With the death or disappearance of a loved one, a family seems to have an unwritten agreement to show a united front. Everyone loves each other. But th
e longer you look, the more the relationships unravel – until, at a time like tonight, you notice things you weren’t supposed to have seen.

  She had driven only a short distance when she became aware of the car behind her. As she had on the day of the collision, she instinctively knew that it had been following her for a while. It was impossible to make out the registration number in the rain.

  Suddenly a car came out of a side street and stopped in front of her, so that she was forced to brake hard. Her first thought was that the engine had stalled. Then she saw the doors open. Instinct made her look in the rearview mirror. The car behind her had also stopped and all the doors flew open. The men who jumped out were wearing balaclavas. Her heart gave a few quick thumps and an icy shiver went down her spine.

  Elroy had warned her. She was looking at the door to make sure it was locked when she saw the pistol. A tall man was tapping on the window with it, motioning for her to open the door. Ellie considered her options. Her revolver was in her handbag. It was senseless to try to get hold of it. Her phone? If she could send a quick message – but that was in her handbag as well.

  When the man tapped the barrel on the window again, Ellie unlocked the door. It was yanked open. She counted four men. One pulled her from the car by her arm. She stumbled and fell to her knees but was immediately hauled to her feet. A bag was put over her head and her hands were tied behind her back.

  “Bring the handbag,” a voice said. “And dump the car.”

  “Make sure the phone is off and take the SIM out,” another voice said.

  Ellie was shoved into a car. She felt someone get in beside her. Then the car sped off.

  Under normal circumstances she might have tried to negotiate with her captors. Said they could take her car, phone, wallet and firearm. But she was sure this had nothing to do with a car or a wallet.

  She could feel they were taking detours. They could have saved the fuel; she didn’t know this part of the city well enough to memorise the route.

  At last they stopped and Ellie was pulled out of the vehicle. She tried to match her strides to those of the man who had her by the arm, but the terrain was rough and she stumbled a few times. A firm hand held her up. No one spoke.

  She heard the sound of door hinges and felt the temperature change. She realised they were inside. The surface under her feet was smoother. Because of the way their footsteps echoed, she suspected they were in a large building with high ceilings. More hinges crunched and she was pushed down onto a chair. The bag was not removed from her head.