you could do something about it …”
“Why don’t I believe you?”
Ellie laughed. “Aren’t you the one who always says curiosity killed the cat?” She didn’t give him a chance to respond. “I must go. Call you as soon as I’m back. Where’s my car, by the way?”
“I took it to Manie this morning.”
“Thanks. Tell Manie I’ll square up with him as soon as I’m back.”
“Look after yourself.”
She ran her hand across her face and looked at a mother and child walking by on the pavement. The mother was holding the boy’s hand. He was telling her something. His head was tilted back, his voice shrill and excited.
At the convenience store on the corner she inspected the sandwiches in the glass case and ended up buying an apple, a banana and the newspaper. She ate the fruit on her way back to the bike and glanced at the headlines before she put the paper into her backpack, put on the helmet and started the bike.
The day was crystal clear and the sea was deep blue and sparkling. In the harbour a huge crane was unloading containers from a ship. Robben Island looked deceptively close. Part of her would probably always love the city bowl, nestled so cosily between her three granite pimps, Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain and Lion’s Head.
Most of the shops in Loop Street were still closed.
Some distance from Greenmarket Square, Ellie saw Happy. He was standing on the same corner he’d been on for years, where she had first met him and persuaded him to become one of her contacts. He looked up from talking to someone across the street. The conversation continued, but she could see that he had spotted her.
When she reached him, she took out money to buy a paper.
“As my granny used to say, I expected my death before I expected to see you today. I thought you were no longer of this world. How long has it been? Five months, and no word from you! My mommy would say it’s bad manners.”
Ellie touched his arm briefly.
“How are you?”
“Nei, as you can see, still helping the nation to read. Even if it’s just about the goings-on of Jay Zee and his sidekicks. I’m actually glad old Jules is back on the scene. At least it’s a change of scenery.”
He held out a paper to a man in a suit who came walking towards them. “Morning, morning. Read all about it. Helen has made headlines for a change.”
The man greeted him, asked after his health, handed Happy a ten-rand note and walked on without waiting for change, the newspaper under his arm.
“A gentleman with class. His mommy raised him well. Such good manners. Why don’t you find yourself a man like that?”
“You look well. Don’t tell me there’s a girl in your life.”
He shook his head. “I’ll tell you what one of my clients told me when I asked if he was married: He said if he was looking for shit he’d buy an Alfa. Nei, I’m not looking for extra trouble.”
Ellie laughed out loud and shook her head. “I’ve missed you.”
He returned her smiled. “That’s what they all say. Can’t be with me, can’t be without me.” His expression grew more serious. “You’re alive.”
Ellie nodded. “I’m alive and better than the last time you saw me.”
“I’m glad. Are you back in the Mother of Cities, or just passing through?”
“I had some business here and thought I’d say hello.”
He made a slight bow. “I’m honoured. Have you seen Miss Brenda?”
“No, I plan to call her. Do you see her at all?”
“Now and again. She greets me, even if it’s not warmly. She’s temping as a receptionist. At an office around the corner from here.”
“I’m glad. I’ll call her. If I don’t get hold of her, give her my best and say I’d like to see her.”
He nodded. “Take care of yourself. I don’t like funerals.”
“Neither do I. Take care.”
She was some distance away when he fell in step beside her. “Does your business have anything to do with Miss Clara?”
Ellie stopped and looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“I heard she disappeared on Friday night. Williams is pissed and Reggie wants to beat the shit out of everyone. Pardon my language.”
“Where did you hear that?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Are you questioning my credibility?”
“No, I’m sorry. I’m just surprised. Do you think the cops know?” She was thinking of Clive, who hadn’t said anything.
“I don’t know. Sometimes they’re slow.”
Ellie looked into his eyes for a moment. “Thanks for telling me.”
“You know I don’t preach, but I hope you’re not going to open up another hornet’s nest.”
“Do you know what happened?”
He shook his head. “I don’t have details. I could probably find out, if you want me to.”
She took a two-hundred-rand note from her purse and pressed it into his hand. “No, thanks. See you again.”
“Sleep with one eye open,” he said behind her.
She raised her hand but didn’t look back. There was a burning sensation in her stomach and she was finding it hard to keep her breathing even. She wanted to open her mouth wide and take in huge gulps of air. She was suddenly not getting enough oxygen.
She pictured Clara’s face and wished she was on her swing under the jacaranda. She’d had a choice. There was always a choice. She could have kept a low profile for a day or two until they gave up trying to find her, but she had chosen to find out why they were looking for her. And now she felt as if she couldn’t breathe.
CHAPTER 4
Nick made an early-morning stop at the club in Green Point. He was relieved to see Paul’s car in the parking garage but was surprised to see Gabriella’s as well. On a Monday morning?
Paul was in his office at the back of the building. After all this time, Nick still caught himself looking around in the evenings, thinking that it was impossible for the place ever to be quiet again. Yet silence reigned every morning, as if the previous night had never happened. Maybe it was part of the attraction of a place like this. The idea that everything is fleeting and nothing lasts.
Nick beckoned for Paul to come along and led the way to one
