Ellie got up as well, and Happy walked her to her car. She was already inside when he scratched his head and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Could the doctors fix everything?”
Ellie looked away, looked back at him and shook her head. “Not quite.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” She closed the door, but wound down the window. “Look after yourself. And look in on Brenda now and again.”
He raised his hand. “Check you later.”
She watched him in the rearview mirror and waited until he had turned the corner before she pulled away. She couldn’t remember when last she had been so exhausted. Clive would probably be at her house already.
He was standing next to his bakkie, smoking a cigarette. She unlocked the front door, fetched two beers from the fridge and opened the door that led to the stoep. They sat down and sipped their beers. After a while, he spoke.
“I just want to say I understand. But it doesn’t make it any easier.”
“Do you know what I realised lately?”
He shook his head.
“I don’t know who I really am.”
“Oh, shit. You sound like those magazines Ansie brings home. I thought you had more sense than to fall for that bullshit.”
“Don’t be so quick to judge. Listen to what I have to say. Since I opened my eyes in this world, my dad’s voice has been the one in my head. Then my mom began to drink and I became the child in class whose mom was an embarrassment to everyone. It changes you into someone else, and it’s not as if you planned it. It’s an automatic protective mechanism. Then Chris came on the scene and became my escape route, and before I knew it, I was dreaming dreams and making plans. I would do anything to protect my dreams. Even deny myself to keep him happy and satisfied. He was barely out the door when Albert walked into my life. Larger than life, good in bed, unfazed by my domestic situation. Then my dad died, and I wandered around like a lost dog, ready to get into the first car that stopped to pick me up. And when the car stopped, I didn’t ask questions – I got in, because anything was better than feeling lost. You and I both know I was nowhere near ready for that operation. That’s why I don’t want you to crucify yourself. I wasn’t honest with myself, or with you.”
“I can tell you who you are. It’ll save you a lot of time and trouble, and I won’t have to get a new partner.”
She smiled. “I’m sure you can, but I need to find out for myself. Maybe it’s not a case of finding out who I am, but rather who I want to be.”
He downed the last of his beer, sighed and got to his feet slowly. “I’d better go. At my age I no longer have the energy for long goodbyes. Let me know where you end up, and take care of yourself. I hope you find out who you are very soon, so that you can come back.”
Ellie put her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “I’m really going to miss you.”
“Fuck, Mac, no. I don’t want to cry now.”
She kissed his other cheek as well. “You’re allowed to cry over me.”
He kissed her forehead, turned, and went around the side of the house to the front gate. Moments later she heard the bakkie start.
Back inside the house, she opened the taps and ran a bath. Her whole body ached. She took off her clothes, but avoided the mirror. She lay back in the warm water and closed her eyes. After a while she noticed that the wind had come up. She heard the branches of the tree behind the house scratching against the roof. The wind would whistle through the gap under her front door all night, unless she blocked it.
It was raining when she got up early the next morning. All her personal things had been packed. The house was being rented out furnished. Melissa would arrange to have her boxes put in storage. She loaded her bags into the boot of her car and wondered what the doctor would say if he could see what she was doing. He had given her a list of do’s and don’ts. Don’t drive too far, don’t lift anything heavy, get plenty of rest, eat healthy food, try to relax.
Before she got in, she stood for a while with the small urn in her hands. She could just imagine his reaction if she should put him in the boot. In the end she put the urn next to her on the passenger seat.
When the gates opened at Kirstenbosch, she was first in line to buy a ticket. The urn was in a bag. She didn’t know whether there were rules about that kind of thing. If there were, she was going to break them today.
In hospital she’d had time to think about a suitable place, and decided that he would feel at home here, where streams flowed down the lush green mountainside and autumn spread its thick leaf-carpets on the ground. He had always loved the smell of moist earth. A soft misty rain was falling in the gorges. She was not wearing a raincoat, and the fine drops lay on her blouse, shiny and silver.
She chose a path that wound up the mountainside and led to a stream. There were plenty of trees to choose from. She read the names on the trunks. She finally opted for a gigantic white stinkwood. Celtis africana. It was apt, she decided, that something native to his adopted continent should watch over him. She opened the urn, scattered the ashes around the trunk and raked a few leaves and some soil over them with her hands. She sat down on the ground and searched for something to say, but there were no words. She listened for a whisper of some kind, but there was nothing.
In the end she picked up a leaf, put it in her pocket, touched the tree trunk and turned around. When she came back from her trip, she would come visit.
Nick was at the airport, waiting for his flight to Johannesburg. Allegretti Senior had sent word that he wanted to see him urgently. Enzio had been in Johannesburg since the day of the shooting. He had left on the first flight the following morning. Nick had not seen him again and didn’t know what he suspected. Of Ken Visser there was no trace either. Nick suspected he’d crossed the border into Zimbabwe. Gabriella had called a few times to find out what was going on and to say she wanted to see him. He kept making excuses, until one morning she told him in no uncertain terms what she thought of him. Since then she hadn’t called again, but he knew it was just a matter of time before she picked up the phone. He knew the pattern by now.
“I don’t like it,” Monica had said when he’d told her. “It could be a trap.”
“Or it could be an opportunity to go back and finish what I started. Even if I can’t go back, I might convince them that I’m tired of the job and want to make a change.”
“I’m telling you, I’m not happy. Maybe if the meeting was in a public place … But you’re going to their home.”
“Hopefully it will convince them I have nothing to hide.”
“I’ll give you two hours. If you haven’t called by then, I’m sending in a team.”
“Now you’re overreacting. I’ll call as soon as I can. Don’t send anyone in.”
“As soon as this mess has been cleared up, the two of us are going to have a sit-down and I’m going to explain the hierarchy to you.”
He looked at his watch. Time was dragging. He was in a hurry to get home. His cellphone rang. He saw it was an unlisted number and considered not answering, but in the end curiosity won.
“Mr Malherbe, my name is Nazeem Williams. The two of us haven’t met, but we have a mutual acquaintance. I’m calling you in connection with a conversation I had with her.”
Nick got up and walked some distance away. “I’m not sure who this acquaintance could be.”
“Miss McKenna. She came to say goodbye before she left. I have to tell you I had my doubts about her at the start, but she turned out to be an interesting individual. Anyway, I just wanted to say, if you’re not too busy, I’d like a few minutes of your time. From what she told me, I am in your debt. Apparently you’re responsible for the fact that Clara escaped from this nightmare unharmed.”
Nick wasn’t sure he’d heard the man correctly. “I was just doing my job.”
“That is a very important character trait in any person.”
“Mr Williams, I’m on my way to Johannesbu
rg. I’m not sure when I’ll be back in Cape Town, but I’ll contact you as soon as I have a chance.”
“Please do that. And thanks again for looking after Clara.”
Nick put the phone back in his pocket, but took it out again, turned it around in his hand a few times and dialled her number.
The number you have dialled does not exist.
ELLIE MCKENNA RETURNS
IN ENDGAME
It was dusk when Ellie drove into the town. Old houses and orchards lined the wide street. A dog ran past, up ahead. Two elderly people were talking over a garden gate.
The sign that read Pub was small. It was the string of coloured lights on the veranda that caught her eye. She stopped, got out of the car and went inside. A few tables were occupied. Ellie crossed to the long bar counter and chose the last stool against the wall.
The man who looked up reminded her of Joe. He was younger, but his hair was also thinning and he was just as strong and sturdily built. Just like Joe, he had a dishcloth dangling from his waistband.
“What will it be?”
Ellie looked at the rows of bottles against the wall. She paused at each one, considering. If ever there was a good time, it was now.
“Whisky and ice.” She didn’t have to do everything at once. She had all the time in the world to change to something else.
He poured her drink; when he put it in front of her, he lingered.
“I had my money on white wine. I’m seldom wrong.”
Ellie smiled and shook her head. “Not tonight.”
“Long road behind you, or ahead?”
She took a sip. Relaxed her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Both.”
He reached out his hand. “Wynand Bruwer.”
“Eleanor.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Though all the characters in this story are figments of my imagination, the world in which they operate is real. To describe this world, I had to consult people who know much more about it than I do. Given the nature of their professions, they asked to remain anonymous. I can therefore only express my gratitude and appreciation in general terms. Where the story is convincing, they should get the credit. Where there are mistakes, they are mine.
Despite a busy and challenging schedule, one person in particular was always willing to answer more questions or to read what I had written. I would have liked to tell him he is finally rid of Ellie, but unfortunately he’ll have to stick around a while longer to help her get out of a few more tight spots!
My sincere thanks once again to:
The readers, who make it possible for me to indulge my passion. I am grateful for their willingness over the years to explore so many different worlds with me.
Dr Etienne Bloemhof, my publisher. Not only for his wisdom, but also for his endless patience and support.
Russell Stark, for the striking cover design.
Elsa Silke, for her excellent translation.
Angela Voges, for her thorough editing.
Sean Fraser, for his meticulous proofreading.
Susan Bloemhof, for immaculate page design.
Eben Pienaar of NB Publishers, for his excellent marketing skills.
My friends and relatives, for their loyal support.
My family, who are always willing to support me through all the different phases. Their love and understanding make it considerably easier. A special word of thanks to Deon, my wonderful husband, for being prepared to brave the streets of Cape Town at all hours, and for the writing desk from the Chinese shop in Jwaneng.
Available soon
Summary
South Africa’s thriving underworld is dark and diverse, a nest of brutal thugs commanded by shady international operators. Their reach spans the globe; their grasp touches every part of society.
Still mourning the death of her father, her guiding light and an honest cop if ever there was one, Lieutenant Ellie McKenna accepts a case to infiltrate Cape Town’s criminal world. Hired to protect the young girlfriend of the high-flying, dirty-dealing nightclub owner Enzio Allegretti, she is acutely aware that one false move could be fatal. But how do you protect a girl when her entire social circle is full of dodgy characters? And how do you stay out of danger while living in a den of snakes? Who do you trust? The loving boyfriend in a dubious line of work? The concerned family with connections in all the wrong places? Or the inscrutable head of security?
Ellie knows full well that in this job the brave often end up dead … blindsided by a faceless enemy.
Wilna Adriaanse’s Blindside is the first of her novels to be translated into English, soon to be followed by its sequel, Endgame.
About the author
Wilna Adriaanse was born in 1958 in the Kalahari but grew up in Worcester. Her most famous books are Met ander woorde (2006), Vier seisoene kind (2010) and Dubbelspel (2014). ’n Klein lewe (2012) was the result of her MA studies in creative writing. She currently divides her time between Botswana and the Boland.
Other publications by Wilna Adriaanse, still in print
Die boek van Ester
Dubbelspel
Eindspel
Met ander woorde
Rebecca
Other titles by Wilna Adriaanse available in E-book format
Die boek van Ester
Dubbelspel
Eindspel
’n Klein lewe
Met ander woorde
Rebecca
Vier seisoene kind
Wilna Adriaanse Omnibus 1-3
First published in Afrikaans in 2014 as Dubbelspel
First published in 2019 by Tafelberg,
an imprint of NB Publishers,
a division of Media24 Boeke (Pty) Ltd,
40 Heerengracht, Cape Town 8001
www.tafelberg.com
Copyright © 2019 by Wilna Adriaanse
English translation by Elsa Silke
English translation © 2019 NB Publishers
All rights reserved.
No part of this electronic book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying and recording, or by any other information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.
Cover design by publicide
E-book design by Wouter Reinders
Available in print:
First edition in 2019
ISBN: 978-0-624-08646-8
Epub edition:
First edition in 2019
ISBN: 978-0-624-08647-5 (epub)
Mobi edition:
First edition in 2019
ISBN: 978-0-624-08648-2 (mobi)
Table of contents
Title page
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Ellie Mckenna returns in Endgame
Acknowledgements
Available soon
About the book Summary
About the author
Other publications by Wilna Adriaanse, still in print
Other titles by Wilna Adriaanse available in E-book
format
Imprint page
Blindside Page 37