Ellie nodded. “I understand, as long as you also realise that, if something goes wrong, you’ll have to explain to Mr Williams.”
Ellie found it interesting that nobody commented on what might go wrong. Nick played his cards closer to his chest than Elroy and Reggie. She was definitely not going to be the first to show her hand. “What happened last night is not acceptable. I must be able to travel with Clara. If there are problems, the first priority for you and your people will be to keep Mr Allegretti safe. Who’s going to look after her?”
“As I’ve said, when they’re with me, they’re both my responsibility.”
“I don’t care. If there hadn’t been a second vehicle last night, I wouldn’t have been able to do my job.”
“There will always be a second vehicle in future.” He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “When you mention problems that may arise, what are you referring to?”
She sat back as well, hesitated a moment, just long enough to think of Reggie. Maybe she should also shake the tree and see what fell out. “I could say they might be involved in an accident, but I won’t underestimate your intelligence. I was in the police. You must know that the names Nazeem Williams and Enzio Allegretti are not unfamiliar to me.”
“And yet you have no problem working for them now.”
She heard the question in his voice. “I don’t have a trust fund to support me. Unfortunately I have to work. And I don’t think my previous job disqualifies me from doing this one. On the contrary, I think Mr Williams made a good appointment.” To hell with cards close to the chest, she decided. “I understand the context of Clara’s life, and the potential problems of her relationship with Enzio Allegretti.” Put that in your pipe and smoke it, she wanted to add, but controlled the impulse.
“You know shots were fired at Enzio’s vehicle about three weeks ago?” She noticed that he no longer said “Mr Allegretti”.
“No, if it was in the papers I missed it, but I know there was a shooting at Alexei Barkov’s house. If shots were fired at Enzio’s car as well, it’s not good news. It means the two of them might have a problem.”
“Do you think Enzio was responsible for the shooting at Barkov’s home?”
“It’s no longer any concern of mine.”
“I’m sure one’s curiosity doesn’t just disappear overnight.” A small smile played around his mouth, but didn’t reach his eyes.
“If he had anything to do with it, he’s stupid. Barkov isn’t a man to trifle with. The fact that one of Enzio’s employees was shot dead might throw further light on the matter.”
“How do you know it was one of his employees?”
“The newspaper said he worked for EA Securities. It’s the name on the uniforms of the security guards at the club. As far as I know, it’s not a public security company, so it must be your in-house company.”
She saw him narrow his eyes and she wondered whether she had overplayed her hand. She was a good poker player and had an instinct for when to take risks, but she found it hard to read the man in front of her.
“Why did you resign from the police?” he asked.
“That’s irrelevant.”
“I don’t think so.”
“My dad was a cop. He was shot and killed at a roadblock a few weeks ago.”
“You’re John McKenna’s daughter?”
She didn’t know what she’d expected, but certainly not that. She nodded. She was tempted to ask how he had known her dad, but some part of her didn’t want to know.
“I met him a few times.” He didn’t elaborate. “You’ll understand when I say I’m not comfortable with your presence here. If I find out you have ulterior motives, you’ll have to suffer the consequences.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Yes.”
“While we’re being honest with each other, let me warn you as well: If I find out Enzio Allegretti’s relationship with Clara is a way of getting at her uncle, you will suffer the consequences.”
She let her words hang between them for a moment before she continued. “It’s important that I see a detailed plan of the club and the house as soon as possible. I also want a chance to familiarise myself with both buildings. I’m telling you this because I assume the house and club are fitted with cameras and it might look as if I’m snooping. I believe you’ll understand when I say I must do a comprehensive risk assessment. I’ll get further information from Clara, such as her medical history, where she has her hair styled, which nail bars and restaurants she frequents, and so on.”
“I can take you through the house now. If you come by the club tomorrow, one of us can show you around.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
He got up and she went along with him. Enzio and Clara lay stretched out on a sofa in the living room. Enzio was on his cellphone. Clara was watching a programme about the Kardashians.
“I’m showing her the house,” Nick said in passing. No one replied.
The kitchen was any chef’s dream. Clean, modern lines, cherrywood cabinets. Chrome fridges and appliances. Large gas stove. Yet it didn’t look like much cooking happened there. The same reddish-brown cabinets were in the pantry and laundry. Nick knocked on a door at the end of a short passage. Patrice opened.
“Sorry to bother you, but Miss McKenna needs to orientate herself.”
Patrice stood aside and they entered. The television was on in the spacious living room. There were a few easy chairs and a small four-seater dining table. The bedroom was neat, with a double bed and bedside tables. The bathroom contained a shower, toilet and basin.
“What is Patrice’s background?” Ellie asked as they walked back down the passage.
“He’s Zimbabwean. I met him at a hotel in Johannesburg and offered him the job as household manager.”
“Did you run a background check on him?”
“What do you mean?”
“Does he have any connections with people who aren’t well disposed towards Enzio?”
“He’s clean.”
“Are you a hundred per cent sure?”
“I’m sure.”
As they moved through the rest of the house, she realised that the place was even bigger than it seemed from the outside. There was another sitting room at the back of the house, and a dining room with an enormous sixteen-seater table. Guest rooms with en-suite bathrooms. A fully equipped gymnasium.
The top floor consisted almost exclusively of the main bedroom, bathroom, dressing room and private sitting room. Ellie had never seen such spacious rooms. Her entire house could just about fit into the dressing room.
“Are there any other exits that are not visible?”
“No, but there’s an alley next to the house that leads outside. It’s currently a weak spot. I’ve commissioned a company to install a sturdier gate and fence.”
“I see you have a large security presence at the house and club. I’d like to have access to the staff members’ files.”
He glanced at her as if he wanted to make sure she was being serious, then shook his head. “That’s not going to happen.”
“My client has the right to know she can trust the people responsible for her safety.”
“She’ll have to take my word for it.”
“Can you personally vouch for the loyalty of every member of your staff?”
“To the extent that it’s possible, yes. The fact that you’re asking shows you’re new to the industry. If I were Nazeem Williams, I’d have reservations about you.”
She ignored the remark. Back in the large living room, she took her leave.
Allegretti and Clara were no longer there and she wondered where in that enormous house they found themselves.
The flat was musty when she entered. When she had opened the windows, she made coffee and sat down on the balcony. On the mountainside below, lights were on in most houses. As a child she had dreamed of having a beautiful view one day. She had liked to gaze into the distance. She had also like
d travelling by car at night, because she could make up stories about the lights. And the dark patches. She had imagined families, with lots of children around a table. She hadn’t really missed a brother or sister. How could she miss something she had never known? The dream of the children around the table had come later. More or less when her mom had started drinking and stopped speaking to her and her dad for days on end. That was when she’d begun to wish there were more children around the table, so she wouldn’t have to listen to the silence. Or better still, so that her mother could speak through them and not through her alone.
Today, she knew there were many homes where the lights were on, but if you opened the front door there’d be nothing but a dark patch. Melissa said they didn’t do “normal” in the suburbs. What was “normal” these days? she wondered. To Clara, her new home and life might seem normal.
When her cup was empty and cold, she called her mother.
“I stayed at home today,” she answered with a bleak voice when Ellie asked what she’d been doing.
“Why didn’t you go to see Aunt Vera, or Uncle Hendrik?”
“I don’t feel like seeing people.”
“Did you eat?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t drop by today. I had to work.”
“What kind of work are you doing now?”
“I work for a security company. I’m looking after a young girl.”
“There was a man here who came to ask if I want to sell the house,” her mom changed the subject.
“I don’t think you should make any hasty decisions.”
“It’s my house, I suppose I can do with it as I please.
“It is your house. I just don’t think it’s good to rush into decisions. If you want, I’ll get someone to value the house.” Ellie refrained from mentioning that the house couldn’t be sold without her signature.
“What am I supposed to do with the garden?” her mother asked. “He liked gardening, not me.”
“It’s not a very big garden. We could get someone to mow the lawn and keep the flowerbeds tidy.”
“It’s just more money.”
“Mom, the estate hasn’t been wrapped up yet. We can’t actually do anything until it has. When the time is right, we’ll get around to everything.”
“The house is so bloody big.”
Ellie felt something stir inside her. “I know. Maybe we could get someone to come and live with you.”
“No, I don’t want strangers in my home. I don’t want to make small talk every day.”
“Well, think about it. I’m going to be very busy for the next week but as soon as there’s a chance, I’ll drop in.”
“Are you also cross with him?”
Ellie turned her feet this way, then that way. “What’s the use? He didn’t shoot himself.”
“Thanks for the call.”
“Sleep tight, Mom.”
If her mom had been drinking, it wasn’t noticeable in her voice. Maybe she had imagined the slight lisp.
Before she went to bed, she sent Melissa an SMS: What is “normal”?
Definitely not Antonie and me trying to sleep with two kids in our bed, came the reply.
Why aren’t they in their own beds?
He says he sees so little of them, they should be allowed to sleep in our bed now and again. The problem is they know exactly how to pull his strings. Every other night there’s a reason why they have to sleep with us. I don’t know when we’re going to have the bed to ourselves again. Let alone have sex.
Ellie laughed out loud. Isn’t the man usually the one complaining?
He must be the average woman’s dream. He’s usually so bushed after work that he’s more than happy with a cuddle.
Tell him you want more than a cuddle.
Too much trouble – I’ll have to explain that I’m not criticising him and that I’m satisfied, and that he looks after our needs very well. Let sleeping dogs lie. What’s your week like? Can we meet?
No, I’ve got a job. With a security company in the city. Will let you know when I’m free.
Security company? Are you serious? Do you stand outside buildings?
Don’t be such a snob. Close personal protection. We look after VIPs and beautiful people.
Call me when you’re looking after Brad Pitt. I’ll be your sidekick.
Will do. Sweet dreams.
Security guard! You know, I worry about you.
That makes two of us. x
CHAPTER 19
By eight on Monday morning Ellie had already had a bowl of cereal and coffee, and showered and dressed. At half past eight the intercom sounded.
“Ellie, I’m ready to go,” said Clara.
“I’ll meet you in the garage.”
Ellie hurried down the stairs. Clara arrived in a short, loose-fitting dress, her hair in a ponytail. She had no makeup on. Ellie could see she wasn’t wearing a bra.
Fritz was standing next to the black Hummer.
“Mr Malherbe asked me to drive you, Miss. There may not be parking at the hotel.”
Clara nodded and opened the back door, while Ellie got into the front passenger seat.
There was a conglomeration of vehicles and people when Fritz dropped them at The Rotunda behind The Bay Hotel.
All the girls wore loose-fitting clothes.
“We’re not allowed to wear tight clothing because there can’t be any underwear marks,” Clara answered as if Ellie had asked the question out loud.
Clara made her way through the crowd, hugging and giving air kisses as far as she went. “I’m going for hair and makeup. Get yourself some coffee, or champagne if you like, and a comfortable seat.”
Ellie went with her to an area where a team of makeup artists and hairdressers were getting the models ready for the show.
She wandered across to a spot where there were tables with snacks and drinks. None of the models ate or drank anything. What did you eat if most normal sources of food were taboo? Ellie wondered as she helped herself to a cup of coffee before taking a seat.
Nick Malherbe called just before ten.
“I’m just checking that everything is in order.”
“Everything’s fine.”
“Fritz will be there at four. If you need a vehicle earlier, let me know, and I’ll send one.”
“Thanks.” She stopped herself when she discovered she was about to analyse the conversation. It was easy to become embroiled in every detail of a project and lose sight of how all the threads were connected. Nick Malherbe was only one of the threads.
When the show began, Ellie sat near the entrance. She was sorry Melissa couldn’t be there. She could just imagine Melissa’s reaction to the designer undergarments. Ellie had never seen the likes of them. Some were very pretty, and she certainly wouldn’t have minded such exquisite pieces of lace or satin against her skin, but on her salary she could only dream. Others made her raise her eyebrows. Albert would certainly have enjoyed the spectacle.
The show ended at four. It took a while for Clara to get dressed and meet Ellie at the exit.
“What did you think?” she asked when they got into the Hummer with Fritz. Ellie wondered whether it was inappropriate for a woman to tell another woman that she understood how a man could lose his head when faced with a body like hers.
“It was a very good show. You’re very professional.”
“When I’m on the runway, I think that’s what I love best, but then I do a photo shoot and I realise I’m actually in love with the camera. I love my job. What did you think of the clothes?”
“I’m not sure I’d know what to do with some of them, but, generally speaking, they were very pretty, very sexy.”
“Men like it when women wear nice lingerie, yet so many women wear such boring undies. I don’t understand it.”
Ellie wondered what Clara would say about her comfy cotton Jockey briefs and sports bras. Even the few lace numbers she did possess no longer seemed very exciting after w
hat she’d seen today. She noticed Fritz’s furtive smile. He could probably write a book about everything he’d heard and seen in cars like these.
Allegretti wasn’t home when they got there and Clara told Ellie she could go to her flat. She would let her know if they wanted to go out later.
“Do you think I could get a house key? I’d like to go running some mornings, or go to the office sometimes, and I don’t want to disturb anyone to get back into the house.”
Clara called Patrice, who gave Ellie a front-door key and explained how to disable the alarm. A few years ago, a key would have meant she could enter the house unseen, but with modern technology it was possible to see exactly when she had switched off the alarm, and cameras would record her every movement. As Clive liked to say, Big Brother would be watching.
“You’re welcome to use the gym,” Clara said when Ellie took the key.
Back in her own flat, she walked out onto the balcony and closed the sliding door behind her. Then she called Brenda’s number.
“Sorry. Am I bothering you?”
“Yes, but not the way you think. I’m more considerate than most women. I put my phone on silent when I’m with a man.”
“One day you should write a manual. I’m sure other women could learn from you.”
“Why would I write myself out of business? No, if they’re too stupid to figure out the basics themselves, it’s too bad. The money their husbands might have used to take them on an overseas trip is safely in my pocket. It fills a lot of holes.”
“Have you gone back to work?”
“No, my face isn’t quite pretty enough yet.”
“Have you considered my offer?”
“It’s a difficult one.”
“Okay, I’ll tell you what – come and help me until you’re fit for work again. When you feel pretty enough, you tell me, and there’ll be no hard feelings, I promise.”
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