Blindside

by Wilna Adriaanse

  “What if he’s part of Visser’s plan that Allegretti referred to?”

  “Aha, but what is Plan B? That’s why I need my files. I need to check whether there have been transactions between them that might explain the bad blood between old man Allegretti and Williams.”

  “I’m telling you again, I don’t want you having even a tissue with a name on it on your person.”

  “Then I think I’ll pay Uncle Nazeem and Auntie Mavis a visit. I promised I’d keep them informed about Clara’s movements.”

  “What do you hope to achieve?”

  “I don’t know, but as one of Williams’s sidekicks said, sometimes you just have to shake the tree. You never know what might fall out.”

  “You can’t tell Williams you suspect foul play and you’re worried about Clara. Before you’ve finished talking, they’ll have put her in a convent and thrown away the key. Where would that leave us?”

  “I have to speak to Albert. He knows Williams best.”

  “Do you want to see the official version of him, or do you want to see your boyfriend?”

  “I want to speak to him about Williams.” Ellie kept her face neutral. She couldn’t tell Clive how lonely she was.

  “They’re very busy at the moment. Give me a chance and I’ll see what I can do.” He looked at her. “How often do the two of you speak?”

  “I’ve called him only once. He was very excited about his new TV.”

  “It’s not just any old TV. You should see it.”

  She shook her head. “He’s never going to have money. As soon as he’s saved some, he finds something to spend it on.”

  “I don’t know what he was saving for, but that thing must have made a big dent in his savings. It must have cost about R40 000.”

  Ellie shook her head again. “What’s he working on at the moment?”

  “As far as I know, he’s still investigating the deaths of Barkov’s two sidekicks and Allegretti’s security guard.”

  “Has there been any new information about my dad?”

  He put out his hand and tousled her hair. “Sorry, girl.”

  When she didn’t answer, he sat back in his chair. “Okay, what’s the plan of action now?”

  “I want you to try to find out who in Mpumalanga and Limpopo have been involved in an operation like that or are considered likely candidates. Go through my files. There are a few names. But it’s important that no one interferes with that consignment. Even if you have to arrange a personal escort for it, it must be allowed to complete its journey. If we’re lucky, we’ll nab one of our good friends in the process. Promise me there will be eyes on that load 24/7.”

  “I’ll do my best, but we’re talking about a lot of eyes, which always increases the risk of a leak.”

  “I hate that you can’t trust anybody these days. It’s impossible to work like this.”

  “I agree, but it’s not going to change overnight, so we must try to keep the risk as low as possible.”

  “I also want more information about Malherbe. He’s become too friendly and helpful lately.”

  “What about Brenda?”

  Ellie gave him a questioning look.

  “You said you suspect everything isn’t kosher. Is it time to let her go?”

  “No, I think it’s time I told her what’s going on. Malherbe isn’t going to stop digging until he’s found something. I want to prepare her. I want to make her an official part of the operation.”

  “Don’t you think you’re trusting her too much?”

  Ellie thought about what Brenda had said the day before. “Maybe, but I’m prepared to run the risk.”

  “Okay, but make sure she understands the consequences if she talks.” He got up. “I have to go. Look after yourself, and don’t do anything stupid. Put your visit to Williams on hold until I’ve had time to arrange something for you and Greyling.”

  “Thanks for coming.” She was reluctant to let him go. “Tell Albert I say hi.”

  He touched her shoulder. “Hang in there.”

  She looked for the napkin. When she couldn’t see it on the table, she realised he had taken it with him. She phoned Brenda, gave her the address of the coffee shop and asked her to meet her there.

  Half an hour later Brenda sank down onto the opposite chair. “Have we become BFFs overnight that we have to see each other every day?”

  “BFFs?”

  “Best friends forever.”

  Ellie laughed. “I wouldn’t be that presumptuous. I know you’re not going to shed any tears over me.”

  Brenda gave a slight smile. “Don’t listen to everything I say.”

  “I want to tell you something. I won’t insult you by warning you about the consequences if you talk about it.”

  “I know what you want to tell me, but carry on.”

  When Ellie had outlined the most important details, Brenda sat in silence for a few moments. “Why did you choose me? Did you think that when the shit hit the fan my life would be worth less than one of your own people’s?”

  “Now you’re insulting me,” Ellie replied.

  “But you do understand that that’s how it looks.”

  “I told you there was someone else, but her husband was transferred. That’s the truth. Then you walked into the office and I saw what had happened to your face … and I felt guilty because I have never looked like that.”

  “Have I told you I hate charity?”

  Ellie nodded. “This isn’t a hand-out. You’d be doing me a favour.”

  Brenda crossed her arms, uncrossed them and fidgeted for a while with the packets of sugar in the middle of the table. “While we’re being honest, I knew from the start that something wasn’t right. So I suppose I can’t blame you. I knew.”

  “How did you know? And if you didn’t believe me, what are the chances that any of the other parties do?”

  “People are lazy. They often see what they want to see. In my job I don’t have that luxury. If I sum people up wrong, chances are I won’t get out alive.”

  “Nick Malherbe, the one who came to the office, isn’t lazy, and he doesn’t trust me. That’s why I want you to let me know straight away if you see him anywhere near the office.” Ellie fell silent and looked at the woman across from her. “Brenda, I won’t blame you if you want to leave.”

  “And miss all the fun?”

  “This isn’t fun.”

  “That was a joke. You can’t tell me anything about that world. Remember, I’ve been inside a lot of those houses on the mountainside. I know who they are behind the walls and away from the guards. The question is: Do you know what you’re in for?”

  “I have a very competent team helping me. It’s not like I’m in it alone.”

  “You could have a whole army, but when those doors close, it’s just you. It can be a very lonely, scary place.”

  “I’ll be careful.”

  When Ellie asked if she wanted something to eat, Brenda declined. “I have to get back to the office. They can’t do without me for long.”

  Ellie looked at her departing figure with a smile. But somewhere inside she felt heartsore for the woman. Was life supposed to be so hard?

  CHAPTER 26

  “Did you get my email?” Monica asked when she called Nick that night about Ellie’s cellphone records.

  “Do you get it when I say she’s too clean? Her house, her cellphone records. The way she does her job. She’s either one of those people who have no chaos in their lives, or she’s a damn good operator. Do you want to tell me she hasn’t phoned even one ex-colleague?”

  “Maybe it’s hard to have contact after what happened to her father. Maybe she welcomes the change and is only too thankful that she left.”

  “Are you being devil’s advocate, or do you really believe that?”

  “I don’t want you to waste your energy on her. Keep your eyes and ears open, and if you think she’s a threat, we’ll make a plan. In the meantime I’m checking for weak spots in Mpumalanga a
nd Limpopo. If Allegretti spoke the truth and they don’t use a middleman this time, it might be our big chance. When the going gets tough … the small guys usually talk at the first sign of trouble.”

  “Right, I have to go. We’ll talk again soon.”

  Ellie was outside the club, trying to get away from the worst of the noise, when she noticed a Volkswagen Golf drive past slowly. She could swear it was Reggie in the passenger seat. The car turned, drove past again and stopped some distance from the club. Two men got out, but remained next to the car. Ellie wondered whether Reggie had seen her. She tried to find a dark spot from where she could watch what they were doing. Reggie lit a cigarette. The other man seemed to be drinking from a bottle. She remembered Happy’s warning, yet she felt like getting closer to investigate.

  “Why are you standing here in the dark?”

  She jumped when Nick Malherbe spoke behind her. Without thinking, she pulled him into the shadows.

  “See those two guys at the Golf? They’re Williams’s men. The shorter one is Reggie Williams, Nazeem’s nephew. The one who considers himself the crown prince. Apparently he has an eye on Clara and is furious with his uncle for allowing her to move in with Enzio.”

  He looked past her. “What do you think they’re doing? Have you seen them here before?”

  “No, this is the first time. I don’t know if Reggie just wants to make a point.”

  “Isn’t he related to Clara?”

  “By marriage, not blood.”

  “Do you want me to send someone over?”

  Ellie looked at where the two men were still leaning against the car. “No, I’ll stay out here. Let’s see if they have a plan.”

  “Did you sort things out at the office?”

  “Yes, thanks. I found someone. Our client is happy.”

  “Do you have any idea how long Williams will be needing you for?”

  “No, but I’ll probably see him next week. I’ll ask him then.”

  “I hope you’ll tell him she’s in good hands.” He smiled.

  “Is she?” Ellie smiled as well.

  “What can I do to convince you?”

  “Tell me whether you think your boss has ulterior motives.”

  “Regarding Clara?” He shook his head. “I don’t think so. I can’t say that I think it’ll last until death do them part, but he seems very taken with her.”

  “Tell me about Visser and his wife.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “I don’t think Enzio is a match for Visser. So what happens when Visser decides that Clara is in the way?”

  “Now you’re speculating. There’s no reason why Clara would be in anyone’s way. What do you think these people do for a living?”

  She looked at him with greater interest. “Surely you don’t want me to answer that?”

  “Show me the businessman or -woman who hasn’t made a few bucks under the table, or done business with someone whose hands aren’t totally clean, and I’ll show you a saint. Business in general isn’t a gentleman’s game. One doesn’t always have the luxury of the moral high ground.”

  Ellie wondered whether she should answer. How long could the two of them dance on the edge of the cliff before she put a foot wrong and fell to her death? On the one hand it was tempting to see how far she could go, but on the other she knew she was playing with fire. The fact that Nick seemed to have decided to play the “good cop” didn’t mean he was less of a danger. On the contrary.

  She looked back at where Reggie and his mate had crossed the road and were now sitting on a bench at the bus stop opposite the club’s entrance. “I think I should take Clara home. We can take her out through the back. I don’t think he’ll do anything to her. Enzio is the one who should be watching out for himself, but I’ll feel better if she’s at home.”

  “I’ll ask Paul to take you in his car. If we take another car, they’ll notice. Call her and I’ll see that he takes his car around to the kitchen door.”

  “Thanks.”

  For the first time since Ellie had met her Clara looked as if she’d had too much to drink. She was on the dance floor when Ellie found her and flatly refused to go home.

  “I’m having fun. What am I supposed to do at home?”

  “You have to be in Franschhoek early tomorrow morning for the polo match.”

  “That’s a long way off. Come and join us. Let me introduce you to my friends.”

  “Where’s Enzio?”

  “What do you think? He and Ken have been in the office all night. I’ve been told to entertain myself. That bitch Gabriella is allowed to be there, but I get sent away like a child. Well, let them do their boring work, or whatever it is they do.” She beckoned a waiter over and ordered a round of very expensive shooters.

  It took Ellie an hour to get her home, and she was still behaving like a stubborn child.

  “Come and have a drink with me. Or I’ll have to drink alone, and I don’t like doing that.”

  “You realise you have to get up early tomorrow morning?”

  “I’ll take something to wake me up.” She spoke slowly, as if she wasn’t quite sure how to pronounce the words.

  Ellie poured two glasses of orange juice and told Clara it contained vodka.

  After the first sip Clara looked at the glass sceptically. “You’re not a very good barmaid. Make the next one stronger.” She switched on the television. “Oh, good, Fashion Police. I love it.”

  Ellie looked at the screen. Three women and a man in a bright red suit were discussing the dress some or other celebrity had worn on the red carpet.

  “I want a dress like that. I must tell Enzio I want it for my birthday.”

  “When is your birthday?”

  “November the thirtieth. We’re going to have a big party this year. I’m busy with the invites.”

  “Will you invite your family as well?”

  Clara looked at Ellie, took a sip of orange juice and watched the screen for a while before she answered. “It’s complicated. I’ll have a separate party for them.”

  It wasn’t just the guest list that was complicated, Ellie thought. This girl’s entire life was complicated. “Tell me about Reggie. He seems quite at home in your uncle’s house.”

  Clara gave a slow smile. “Ah, old Reggie. He was such a nice guy when he was younger. We were great friends.” She looked over her shoulder as if she expected someone to be there. “Can I tell you a secret? Reggie was my first.”

  “Your first what?”

  “I lost my virginity to him. I was sixteen and he was nineteen. But Uncle doesn’t know, so don’t say anything.”

  In her mind’s eye Ellie saw Reggie outside the club and she wondered if Clara had any idea how complicated her life really was.

  Before Ellie could reply, Clara’s cellphone rang. She struggled to pick it up from the coffee table and looked at Ellie. “I don’t believe it. It’s Reggie.” She answered: “Hi, Reg, what’s up?” She listened. “What do you mean where am I? I’m at home.” There was a pause. “Ellie brought me home. Through the kitchen. How should I know? Hey, why are you giving me a hard time about how I got home? You’re not my father.”

  Ellie sat without moving.

  “Fuck you, Reggie. Why are you doing this? I’m busy. I can’t hang out with you every day. I’m going to hang up now. You’re being a prick.” Clara tossed the phone on the coffee table. “Why should I report my whereabouts to him and explain how I got here? The nerve.”

  “What did he want to know?”

  “Where I am. When I said I was home, he said I was lying. I never left the club.”

  Ellie felt her hair stand on end. She wondered if it was the first time Reggie had been watching the club. “What else did he say?”

  “That I think I’m better than them. That’s why I never go there any more. And he told me I’m Enzio’s whore.” She drank the last of the orange juice, got up on wobbly legs and poured herself another drink, this time without orange juice. Ellie
decided to let her be. She could only protect her so far. After that, she had to suffer the consequences.

  “Did you and Reggie have a thing on before you met Enzio?”

  “He’s a nice guy, but he’s too young for me. We slept together from time to time over the years. I know he has a crush on me, but we’ve talked about it and he understands there can never really be anything between us. I don’t know where tonight’s call came from.”

  Ellie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. As if the girl didn’t have enough chaos in her life, she had Reggie lurking in the shadows. And she was surprised that he was angry with her tonight! She was sure Clara wasn’t stupid. Had everyone in the family always treated her as if she were so special that she had no idea what was happening in the real world? Ellie didn’t believe it. Maybe all the attention had spoiled her to such a degree that she no longer really cared about others’ feelings.

  Ellie heard the garage doors open and got to her feet. “Enzio is here.”

  Clara got up too. “Tell him not to bother me. Say I went to bed. He can sleep in one of the guest rooms. He can take his pick.” Clara went up the stairs as quickly as her condition allowed. Ellie had just reached the stairs, when the lift doors opened. Nick Malherbe was with Enzio. Enzio greeted absently and walked past her. Ellie decided that Clara could give him the message herself.

  “Is everything okay?” Nick was standing at the lift doors.

  “I don’t know.” She looked behind her to make sure Enzio was out of earshot.

  Nick motioned at the stairs. They could talk in her flat. “What are you drinking?”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “What are you drinking? I’m tired. I could do with a nightcap. And I won’t tell Nazeem Williams you were drinking while technically still on duty.”

  She hesitated.

  “Come on, Miss McKenna, I’m tired and I’m thirsty. I give you my word.”

  “Whisky on the rocks. No water or soda.”

  She was standing at the sliding door when he entered. She took a small sip of the whisky and raised the glass to inspect the amber contents. “I’d rather not ask what this drink costs.”