Blindside

by Wilna Adriaanse

  “And what will you tell your clients? About my face?”

  “It’s not like there’s a stream of people in and out the door. If anyone asks, I’ll say you were in a car crash.”

  “When do I start?”

  “As soon as possible. Can I pick you up at seven tomorrow morning and take you to the office? I’ll explain then.”

  “Seven! Do I look like a milkmaid? Girl, do you know how early that is?”

  “Come on, Brenda, stop moaning.”

  “Okay. I’ll wait at the Greek’s café on the corner.”

  Ellie put on her running clothes and went back up the stairs to the gym. She couldn’t leave Clara alone, so she would run on the treadmill. All the equipment was positioned so that you could look through the windows while you were working out. She put her earphones in, switched on the music and started running. A fishing boat went past in the bay, leaving a white wake. The wind seemed to be picking up. The sea, which had been like a mirror in the morning, was covered with white caps.

  She had just got out of the shower when the intercom soun­ded. “We’ve invited guests over, so you can relax or go to bed early. See you tomorrow morning,” Clara said.

  “Thanks. Enjoy the evening. I think I’ll go home and fetch a few of my things.”

  “Fine, Enzio is here.”

  On her way home she stopped at the office and then at Gardens Centre. She had coffee and tea in the flat and she was supposed to get her meals at the Allegrettis, but she wanted to buy fruit and yoghurt. Maybe a little breakfast cereal. At the Woolworths food counter she threw a few ready meals into her basket. She could freeze them and reheat them in the microwave if she got hungry. It gave her a greater sense of freedom if she could make herself something to eat.

  Driving away from the shopping centre, she noticed the white Toyota Corolla two cars behind her and her brain started doing the math. It was the same car that had been parked diagonally opposite the office. She had noticed it because its registration number matched her birthdate.

  When she came to the traffic light, she didn’t switch on her indicator straight away. Neither did she look in the rearview mirror. When the light turned green and she turned, she looked in the mirror as surreptitiously as possible. The car turned as well. Instead of taking De Waal Drive, she turned into Brandweer just before Jutland Avenue, and then immediately right into De Villiers – enough turns to give her an idea whether the car was a coincidence or not. When she turned right into Constitution, she had her answer. Her pursuers were still about three cars behind her. It was six o’clock and the traffic was heavy enough so that you could easily imagine you were being followed, but her sixth sense told her it was no coincidence. She knew she wasn’t supposed to go home, but if she took too many detours, they would know she had noticed them.

  She was unlocking her front door when she saw the car slowly drive past from the corner of her eye.

  She closed the door and stood still for a moment. Someone had been in her house. She walked through the rooms. Nothing was missing at first glance, but small details gave it away. A cupboard door stood slightly ajar. Her mail was not quite as neatly stacked on the small table at the front door. The papers and books on her desk were slightly off-centre. And the unfamiliar smell. Others might not notice, but her senses were very keen. She smelled smoke, mixed with cologne or aftershave.

  She sat down on the edge of the bath, opened the taps and called Clive’s number.

  “Hi. Howzit?”

  “Okay. Nothing earth-shattering to report and I don’t know whether there ever will be, because Allegretti’s chief of security is watching me like a hawk. See if you can find anything out about him. Nick Malherbe.”

  “I’ll see. Where are you calling from?”

  “Home. I’m sure I’m being followed and that someone has been in my house. It wasn’t a burglary. Nothing is missing and no one tampered with the locks. Whoever it was is a pro, except that he didn’t pay close attention to how my mail and papers were stacked.”

  “Could you see who was following you?”

  “No, but I’ve got the registration number.” She gave it to him.

  “I expected it, but I’d still like to know who it is, Williams or Allegretti.”

  “My money is on Allegretti. Albert would probably have let us know if Williams was suspicious.”

  “Unless Williams isn’t quite sure about Albert.”

  “I’ll call the security company and find out if my alarm was activated and why no one contacted me.”

  “Are you sure your house is clean? No files, numbers, clues of any kind? Did you lock your laptop in the safe at the office?”

  “Yes, I was very careful.”

  “Then there’s no need to worry. They were probably on a fishing expedition.”

  “What’s new at the office?”

  “Everyone is talking about your leaving. Some say it has something to do with me and the argument we had. Others say you’re getting married and a few think you’ve had a nervous breakdown and have been admitted to a clinic. Others are sharing the juicy snippet that you and Greyling have broken up. Another story is that you’re pregnant.”

  “I prefer the nervous breakdown. It sounds quite glamorous. Any progress with the shooting of Allegretti’s security guard?”

  “The case is with the local detective branch. As far as I know, they haven’t arrested a suspect yet.”

  “And the shooting at Barkov’s home?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Okay, I’ll try to call again tomorrow. See what you can find out about the white Corolla and Malherbe.”

  “Look after yourself. And don’t get too used to the luxury.”

  “Sorry for you, but I’ve already decided not to come back. Luxury suits me.”

  “Do you want me to call Allegretti’s watchdog?”

  Ellie laughed. “Goodnight, Clivie.”

  She felt guilty about all the water she had wasted and decided she would have to find another way of phoning without being overheard.

  On her way back to Bantry Bay, the white Corolla was behind her once again. It annoyed her that her pursuers didn’t appear to mind if they were spotted. When she turned into the cul-de-sac, they drove past. The guard opened the gate and Ellie barely managed to scrape past all the cars parked on the property.

  She considered asking Nick Malherbe whether it had been his idea to have her followed. Then again, if it wasn’t him, he might wonder why anyone else would want to.

  Before she unlocked the front door, she called her security company. She made certain she was standing far enough away so that the guard at the gate couldn’t overhear her. No, the operator at the call centre said, her alarm had definitely not been activated since Saturday afternoon; neither had it been switched off.

  Which meant she was not dealing with amateurs, she thought as she went up the stairs. On the top floor she heard music and voices coming from the patio.

  CHAPTER 20

  Brenda was at the place where they’d arranged to meet when Ellie arrived, early on Tuesday morning. She was wearing neat slacks and a red-and-white top, sunglasses already in place.

  “Thanks for coming.”

  “My mom taught me to keep my promises.”

  “Where does your mom live?”

  “She died a long time ago.”

  “And your dad?”

  “Sailing the seven seas.”

  “Is he a sailor?”

  Brenda pointed at her face. “Did you think these genes were exclusively local?”

  Ellie smiled.

  “Okay, tell me what you want. And don’t bullshit me.”

  “As I said, we’re looking for someone to manage the office. Answer the phone and so on.”

  “It’s not the phone I’m worried about, it’s the ‘and so on’. What are you not telling me?”

  “Brenda, just answer the telephone when it rings. Ask who’s speaking, take the number and say you’ll give me the message. There’s c
offee, tea and a comfortable chair. And if anyone comes in to see me, tell them I’m with a client and will call back. Or give them my cell number.”

  “And the hours?”

  “Nine to five.”

  “You’re sure no one is going to walk in with a gun and mistake me for you?”

  “There’s a security gate. If you feel unsafe, don’t open the door, and call me. And if you feel you need to escape, there’s a back door that leads to the parking garage of the building next door. But trust me, you’ll be fine.”

  “That’s the kind of statement that makes my hair stand on end.”

  “I told you, if you want to go, just say so. No one will force you to stay.”

  Ellie found parking in front of the office. Once inside, she saw Brenda take stock of her surroundings. She walked through all the rooms, opening the drawers and cabinets.

  Ellie showed her how to work the phone and switch on the computer.

  “Do you know how to work a computer?”

  Brenda took a step back. “I don’t spend all my time on my back, you know.”

  “There isn’t much to do at the moment. Just check the emails every day. You can play computer games for the rest of the day, for all I care. Just don’t google anything weird. That kind of thing leaves tracks.”

  “How do you know I won’t take off with everything?”

  “I think you’ve got better taste than to steal office supplies.”

  Brenda gave one of her rare laughs. “True.”

  “Okay, you’ve got my number. Don’t hesitate to call me if you’re unsure about anything. I’ll call at least once a day, or pop in if I can. If there’s a crisis and you can’t find me, call this number. It belongs to my boss. Tell him it’s you and that you can’t get hold of me.” Ellie wrote down Clive’s unlisted number.

  “What kind of crisis?”

  “I don’t know, Brenda, but I trust you’ll recognise a crisis if you see one.”

  At the door Ellie asked if Brenda wanted to go back to Sea Point first. “No, too much trouble. I’ll stay.”

  “Thanks, Brenda. I appreciate it. Consider it a paid holiday.”

  Brenda shook her head. “A good thing you didn’t become a travel agent.”

  Driving back, Ellie wanted to laugh at Brenda’s quips, but laughter did not sit well with her. She had never been able to work out how the cards of life were dealt. All she knew was that it was harder to play against someone with a weaker hand than someone with a stronger hand. You keep trying to work out why the dice didn’t fall differently. And there’s the guilt to play against as well.

  She had just stopped at the Allegretti home when Clara phoned to say she was ready. Ellie told her she’d wait in the garage. She opened the door leading to the garage, but stayed in the entrance hall when she heard a voice coming from the garage. It was Allegretti, and by the sound of it he was on the phone.

  “I told you I could handle him.” He went quiet for a moment. “I’m not a fucking idiot. I know when to shut up. You just make sure everything is okay on your end. One more fuck-up like the one with Barkov, and I’m looking for different partners. And make doubly sure the bloody paperwork is in order.” Another silence. “No, not today. Thursday, eleven o’clock, at Dias Tavern.”

  There was silence. Ellie heard the hum of the lift descending. She opened the front door softly and closed it more loudly. Too late she remembered the camera in the entrance hall. She stopped herself just in time from looking up. Whoever was going to watch the footage would certainly find her behaviour strange. This was the kind of thing Clive had warned her against. It was seldom the big things that tripped you up, he’d told her.

  “Clara! Where the fuck are you? I have to go.” Then Allegretti noticed Ellie. “Miss McKenna, how are you?” He flashed her one of his beaming smiles.

  “I’m fine. Miss Veldman is on her way. If you’re in a hurry, I could drive her.”

  “No, I still have a few minutes.”

  Clara entered with Fritz. “Lovey, I could hear you shouting from inside the lift.”

  “I’m in a hurry.” He tossed Fritz the keys of the BMW and got into the back seat with Clara.

  On their way to Camps Bay, Allegretti’s cellphone rang three more times, but he kept the conversations short. He gave Clara a hasty peck on the cheek when they stopped.

  Ellie opened the back door for her

  “Sometimes Enzio reminds me of Uncle,” Clara said as they headed for the entrance. “I think they’re addicted to their jobs. Even when they’re partying, you can see their minds are on other things.”

  Ellie felt as if she had discovered a tree in the middle of nowhere, laden with lovely red apples. For a fleeting moment she considered the consequences, but the temptation was simply too great.

  “I imagine the club keeps him quite busy.”

  “I don’t know if it’s the club or his other business.”

  Ellie had the apple in her hand and knew she was going to pick it. You never knew what else might fall from the tree.

  “Does he have other businesses as well?”

  “Mainly imports and exports.”

  “Clothing, or what?”

  “Oh, I don’t really know. When I asked him, he said there’s a market for everything these days.”

  “Where did the two of you meet?”

  “I was at the club with friends one night. It was full and we were waiting on the pavement to try to get in, when he walked past on his way from his parking spot. I didn’t know who he was, so as he walked past, I called out to him to join the back of the queue, like everyone else. He came over and we started to talk. The next minute our group was invited in and everything was on the house. When we left, he asked for my number. I laughed, and wrote it on his hand. The next morning he called and invited me to lunch. We’ve been together ever since.”

  “And you never slept over at his place before?”

  “Once or twice, but Uncle didn’t approve.”

  “And yet he allows you to live there now?”

  “It’s different. He says if a man wants a woman in his bed, he has to make some kind of commitment. It’s still not their first choice, but it’s better than sleeping there on and off.”

  “You’re nearly twenty-one. Why are you still listening to your uncle?”

  “We’re a close family and he’s good to all of us. I don’t like disappointing him.”

  They were at the entrance to the hotel, so Ellie stopped talking. There was a hubbub, like the previous day, and Clara had to rush off to hair and makeup. Ellie walked through the premises again. Made sure nothing was noticeably different, and that there were no staff she didn’t recognise. When she was satisfied, she fetched a cup of coffee and took a seat where she had an unrestricted view of the area where the hair and makeup were being done.

  She knew Clive had told her not to use her laptop and cellphone for research, but she couldn’t be idle all day. She had brought her iPad, and when she had finished her coffee she started searching the newspaper archives for recent articles on rhino poaching. She realised the horns in the failed transaction could have been poached some time ago, but usually the stock was taken out of the country as soon as possible, so that those involved could get their money. Mind you, she wasn’t entirely sure it was horns.

  She had learnt to read with one eye while watching her surroundings with the other; nevertheless she was startled by the sound of loud voices. Two security guards had linked their arms through those of a man, and were marching him off.

  “Oh, my word! How embarrassing,” she heard one of the girls say. “When’s he going to get the message that it’s over between them?” A group of girls who had witnessed the incident rolled their eyes. When another girl approached, they formed a circle around her.

  “It’s okay. They took him away. Don’t worry. Hans will kill you if you cry now.” One of the others took a vial of pills from her handbag. “Here, this will get you through the show, but sweetie, you hav
e to make him understand that it’s over.”

  “I’ve been trying for how long, but he just doesn’t want to accept it.” The girl swallowed the pill and took a few deep breaths. “It’s such a mess. He threatens to shoot me if I go out with other men.”

  “Bullshit. It’s just talk. Like he’s got the guts! All the more reason not to go back to him,” said a brunette with a husky voice.

  Ellie looked at the girl under discussion. She was trying to control her emotions. Her complexion was almost translucent, her hair was blonde and her eyes a clear blue. She was very tall and thin. She reminded Ellie of a young filly who hadn’t quite gained control over her gangly limbs.

  A while later Ellie stepped outside to call Brenda.

  “These couches are very comfy. Are you sure you don’t want to go into business with me?”

  Ellie smiled. “Do you think I’d get clients?”

  “Girl, every woman can get clients if she wants to. It’s hardly ever about sex. Men just want to feel good. They crave attention. Men never really grow up. Their needs stay basic all their lives.”

  “Thanks for the tip, but I don’t think I’m ready to go into business with you, and preferably not on my boss’s couches. Everything okay?”

  “Nothing to report.”

  “I have to go to Franschhoek tomorrow, but hopefully I’ll see you on Thursday.”

  “Fine.”

  She phoned Clive next, and told him about Allegretti’s telephone conversation that morning.

  “The problem is that we don’t really know what we’re looking for, so it’s difficult to know what’s important. We know they’re constantly busy with some or other scheme. Do you think you might get a chance to scratch around in his study?”

  “The cameras would have to be off.”

  “Maybe we should try to plant someone in the control room. I’ll see what I can do.”

  “I gave Brenda this number and told her to call you if there’s a crisis.”

  “How much did you tell her?”

  “The official version, but she’s very bright. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already figured it out.”

  “You’re sure you can trust her?”