Dead in the Water by Irna van Zyl

Author:Irna van Zyl
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4859-0358-1
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Published: 2016-07-11T00:00:00+00:00

22

It was Constable Kaptein who tracked down the number for Boelie Oosthuizen’s agent. There wasn’t a rugby player who didn’t know Neville Blachowitz, who didn’t know that he lived in Pretoria East on a swanky residential estate, Mooikloof, and who didn’t have his cellphone number. One of his cellphone numbers, at any rate. Because, Moerdyk knows, a man like Blachowitz doesn’t have just one phone.

“Who?” the agent says after Moerdyk has introduced himself. Hastily followed by, “I can’t talk to you now, I’m late for a meeting,” before Moerdyk can ask a question.

“I am so sorry to bother you.” Moerdyk shoves his middle finger into the air. Fuck you too, he thinks to himself. Arrogant twat. “Look, man, it’s urgent. I think you can help us … it’s in connection with Boelie’s death.”

Blachowitz doesn’t break stride at the mention of his player’s name. “Make it snappy, mate. I’m a busy man.”

“I understand Boelie was planning to fly to Oliver Tambo instead of going home with his teammates to Durban. Do you know anything about it? If he had an appointment, for instance. And with whom?”

“No. I know nothing. And if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”

“And why is that?” Moerdyk is sure he can hear something else, a snorting sound, as if someone is suppressing a laugh. “Come on, man, you have to agree this is strange behaviour. National hero. First missing the team party and then flying off on his own. You must have an opinion.” Moerdyk’s getting desperate. “I mean, do you know if he had problems? Marriage trouble or financial issues? You’ve known him for … how long?”

He can’t decide if the shyster on the other end of the line is a nasty windbag or just thick-skinned.

“I’ve given you enough of my time. I wasn’t Boelie’s personal bodyguard, or his fucking PA.”

“If you can remember anything …” Moerdyk feels control of the conversation slipping away.

“I know nothing, mate, and I’ve got to go. I told you, I’m a busy man.”

Blachowitz stays quiet for a couple of seconds, and then, like he’s giving Moerdyk some big gift, adds, “There is one thing. He mentioned a business meeting in Pretoria.”

Fucking smooth operator. “Do you know what kind of business?”

“He talked a lot about opening a restaurant. It’s possible he was going to meet with potential investors.”

“Do you have a contact name for me?”

“Nope. No names.”

“Anybody else who could help me with a name?”

“I said no. That’s enough now.” The agent ends the call abruptly.

Essie opens the door of Erwin Jooste’s house. Storm pauses just long enough to enquire about Hansie and Grietjie, then walks inside. She’s too impatient to hang around and wait for Modise to join her. She’ll get started on the search so long. There has to be something, anything, that will explain why someone would want to kill Jooste. Being an unpleasant bastard alone isn’t motive for murder.

She was up at dawn, too wound up to sleep. Her mother was still snoozing when she went to say goodbye.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.