Endgame. Wilna Adriaanse
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town. From lovely people.”
He shook his head.
“I think one of the ministers is falling in love with me,” Ellie added.
Clive put his cup down, folded his arms and sat back in his chair. Then he picked up the cup and took another sip. “A minister?”
“Why do you sound so surprised? Did you think no one would ever show an interest in me?”
He shook his head. “Fuck, now I’ve heard everything. You, a minister’s wife! The man has hardly known you five months.”
“Sometimes you just know.” When she saw his eyebrows go up, she smiled. “No one is talking about marriage. I said I think he’s falling in love with me. That’s all. Maybe he’ll never ask and maybe I’ll say no.” She widened her eyes.
“Sweetheart, if he’s a minister, he’ll want to get married. Trust me.”
“I might make an excellent minister’s wife.”
“Does he know about your previous life? And that you’re working in a bar? Does the man even know you?”
“He knows I am or was in the police service. The details aren’t important. He’s not too happy about the bar, but the patrons are his flock, so he can’t say too much. It’s not as if it’s a dive. The owner reminds me of Joe. A straight shooter. You know where you stand. If it wasn’t for him, I’d probably have kept going that first night.”
“Does he …” He stopped talking and she saw his gaze move briefly to her breasts before he focused on her face again.
“I don’t know. We haven’t reached that stage.”
“The man wants to ask you to marry him but he hasn’t seen you naked? What, do you switch off the lights?”
Ellie laughed out loud. “I’m not going to discuss my sex life or lack thereof with you.”
“Maybe you should go and see a shrink before you say yes to the man. You don’t sound all there to me. Or maybe you should both see one, because he doesn’t sound all there either.”
“I saw Albert,” Ellie changed the subject.
“And?”
She told him about their conversation, but not about her visit to Williams. Neither did she mention hearing about Clara’s kidnapping from Happy.
“Evidently, it’s not news to you. Did you know about it last night?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me when I phoned you?”
“Because I knew you wouldn’t stay away.” He raised his hand when she opened her mouth. “But if I had known that bloody Greyling had told Williams where you were, I would have told you.”
“Who told you about Clara?”
He shrugged. “A contact.”
“Do you still see Albert?”
Clive nodded. “I’ve seen him once or twice, but it’s not as if the two of us have much to say to each other any more.”
“How are things at the office?”
“What do you think?”
“What are you busy with?”
“Exactly what we were busy with when you left. Except that new fuckers come along every day who have to be checked out.” He raised one eyebrow. “If you’re not coming back, what’s the point in telling you?”
“Who said I’m not coming back?”
“You’ve just told me you’re thinking of marrying the minister.”
Ellie laughed. “That’s not what I said.”
“Mac …”
She knew that tone of voice. “If you’re going to apologise again, I’m leaving.”
He shook his head. “I fucked up.”
“We all did. It’s one reason why I had to go. If I decide to come back, I’ve got to make sure something like that never happens again. Not to me or anyone else.”
“I was responsible for you and I knew we were being too hasty. Setting up an undercover operation like that takes planning and training. It was your first time. We should have equipped you better, but I let myself get swept up in Greyling’s bravado and the need we all felt for some form of success. Lord knows, you can only get knocked down so many times before you give up.” There was a moment’s silence. “I still want to know exactly what happened that night. Greyling’s hands aren’t as clean as he wants everyone to believe.”
“It’s water under the bridge. Tell me what you know about Clara.”
“Only that she’s been missing since Friday night, and that Williams hasn’t reported it to the cops. Evidently, his own people are out looking for her.”
“What do you think happened to her?”
He shook his head. “She could have run away.”
“I know, but I bet she didn’t. She’s difficult at times and a spoilt brat, but she loves her family. However strange it may sound.”
“Do you really think you know her so well that you can guess what she’d do or wouldn’t do?”
“I didn’t know her long, but that’s not always important. What’s important is what I saw and heard when I was with her. I once asked her why she didn’t simply move in with Allegretti. She was twenty at the time, and didn’t need her family’s permission. She said that her family, especially her uncle and aunt, were good to her and she didn’t like to disappoint them. And she was serious when she said it. Remember, the Williamses don’t have children. She’s like their own.”
“You’ve always been selectively blind where she’s concerned. It’s probably the reason I didn’t tell you. I know you too well. I can actually see your mind has already started to work. Believe me when I tell you, if she didn’t run away, this case may be a lot more complex than it seems, and you’re not ready for it. Go home and get your head straight. The fact that you came at once when it seemed someone was looking for you says a lot. You haven’t gained enough distance from it yet.” He got up. “I must go.”
When he stopped at the office, they looked at each other.
“Go home and keep gardening, or play with the minister.”
“I worry about her.”
“I know, but she’s not your problem.”
She leaned across and kissed his cheek. “Take care of yourself. Give my regards at home.”
“Phone me now and then!” he called after her.
She raised her hand.
“And send me a wedding invitation …”
Ellie stuck her middle finger in the air.
CHAPTER 9
It was six o’clock when Nick got to the address in Milnerton. The house was one street behind the beachfront, surrounded by high walls. There were two garage doors and a gate that presumably led to the front door. Three vehicles were parked in front of the house. He rang the bell. Barnard opened the gate. Nick heard muted voices coming from inside.
To the right of the front door was a spacious room that appeared to be a lounge. It was furnished with two desks and several armchairs. Barnard beckoned him deeper into the house, to a dining room with serving hatches giving access to the kitchen and the lounge.
Brigadiers Ahmed and Zondi were seated at a long table in the middle of the room. He recognised them from the meeting they’d had after his arrest, and other encounters afterwards.