The Shudder Lingers Read online

  Stacey felt a shudder run down her back, as her thoughts went back to her various interactions with him. She recalled the apparent close relationship between the inspector and Daniella, when she was being questioned on Wilson’s death. She shivered and rubbed her arms, “I do believe it, and somehow I’m not surprised. The question is, how do we prove it?”

  Gerald sipped at his whisky again, “It will be difficult to prove, but we will no doubt find a way. Getting Inspector Jonas to confess is probable. However, securing a watertight case against Daniella will prove far more challenging. We just have to be more strategic than she is. Eventually she will make a mistake. I will create some thinking time over the next few days and come up with a plan. If this boyfriend of Lizzie’s has got some money, I can mobilise the best possible task force. Our game plan needs to be fundamentally different to what we have done in the past.” Looking energised, he got up to leave, “Thanks guys. I have some planning to do.”

  After he had left, Stacey hugged Slade, “Well, looks like Gerald is determined to sort this mess out. I feel as if there is a small load off my shoulders. At least now we can focus on our wedding.”

  He embraced her. “Agreed.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Notwithstanding the fact that Stacey was engulfed in wedding plans, the rhino project and running the business, her thoughts constantly drifted to Simon and the contract killing confession. She was drawn out of yet another daydreaming spell, when Emily walked in and brought a large folder, “Hi Stacey. This is the file you requested on the shipment of drones coming in. It seems as if they arrive tomorrow.”

  Stacey thanked her and took the folder. She had been involved in sourcing and shipping the drones that they would be using on the rhino project. While the teams had been working on the data visualisation and data, she wanted to ensure that the drones they used were reliable and can withstand the harsh conditions that they were likely to face in the Kruger Park. She scrutinized the files and noted that the shipment would arrive by airfreight the following day. As a final check she again reviewed the specifications and paperwork related to the drone order. It struck her that, while the drones will do the tracking, the units themselves would not be tracked. She recalled several incidents in the recent past of aircraft disappearing without trace. Without knowing why, she decided to have a radio-frequency identification tag, or RFID tag, inserted into each unit.

  She called a friend with whom she studied, and briefly discussed her requirement for some long range RFID tags. She was pleasantly surprised that he had stock available and could install them the following day. She called Emily in, “Thanks for the file. Everything seems to be in order. By the way, I am out near the airport tomorrow, and will collect the shipment myself, and bring it to work the next day. It saves someone driving out to the airport.”

  Emily nodded, “No problem. I will tell Jackie. She had planned to pick up the package tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted as to when it is available for collection.”

  Stacey stared after Emily in surprise, and thought to herself, interesting that Jackie was to collect the drones. I wonder what she is up to. She made a mental note to discuss it with Slade later. She tried focusing on the hundreds of other pressing matters on hand, but her thoughts kept going back to Jackie. She mulled over the various interactions that they had had in recent weeks and decided that her intentions were clearly clandestine. She left her office to find Slade. She found him in the project room, with several of the project team huddled next to Slade, staring at a laptop screen. She noticed how Jackie was sitting very close to Slade, with their legs touching. Jealousy needled her, as she bit her tongue, “Slade, do you have a moment please?” Jackie gave her a taunting look. She turned, not wanting to create a scene.

  Slade followed her into her office, “What’s happening?”

  She said, rather steamily, “Does she have to sit on your lap?”

  Taken by surprise, he cautiously responded, “I did not see that coming. Surely you did not call me for that? You know I love you. We are getting married in a few days’ time. Why in the world would I jeopardise our relationship?”

  Sensing his irritation, she sheepishly replied, “I’m sorry Slade. I guess I was overreacting. Actually, the reason I called you was about Jackie’s interest in collecting the drones when they arrive tomorrow. I just found it strange.”

  Slade chuckled softly, “There is nothing sinister. I asked one of the new hires to collect it for us. His car was going in for a service tomorrow, and she offered to do it on his behalf. I’m a hundred percent sure it was a genuine offer.” He paused, and smiled again, “Are you OK with that?” She nodded, and he left the office.

  Back in her office, she paced around for several minutes, frustrated by how Jackie kept rattling her cage. She consoled herself that at least Daniella had been quiet for a few days.

  The following morning, she received confirmation from Emily that the drones were ready for collection. She shut down her laptop before heading past Emily’s desk. With a sense of guilt, she said, “See you tomorrow. I have a meeting with a friend and will then collect the drones. I’ll bring them in tomorrow.” Without waiting for a response, she headed for the elevator. As she headed for the airport, she had a niggling feeling that she was being followed but could not see any visible signs of a tail. After loading the packages in her boot, she headed for Durbanville, where her friend had established his small electronic business.

  Welcoming her with open arms and a warm hug, he smiled, “Long time no see Stacey. I hear via the grapevine that you are now a successful executive. Well done.”

  “Morning Jaco. It has been a long time. I’m glad we can do business together.” She led him outside to her car to collect the packages. She looked around, again expecting to see someone tailing her, but the street outside was devoid of cars or people. Once they had carried the packages inside, she said, “I need to be careful in opening the boxes. I don’t want it to appear as if the packaging has been opened.” She noticed a raised eyebrow.

  Jaco was polite, “No problem. Given that I am in the electronics business; I often seem to get strange requests. I have learned not to ask questions, but I could not help but be curious as to why you would want RFID tags for twenty drones.”

  Ignoring the probing question, she asked, “As we discussed yesterday, will they be well hidden, and not traceable?”

  By now he had opened the first drone and was turning it upside down to see where best to fit the tiny chip. Within seconds, he was pointing at the drone, “I have found just the place. The chip is rather small, and will never be noticed, unless you are really searching for it.” She nodded in appreciation and switched her attention to her mobile phone and the string of emails. Less than an hour later, Jaco was done, and they returned each of the drones to their boxes and sealed the overall packaging. “One last thing Stacey. You need to download the app on your phone for tracking.” He wrote down the name of the app and gave her a user name.

  She downloaded it, and after selecting a password, she had access to the tracking and location of the drones. It correctly showed the location to be within five metres. She nodded in approval, “Thanks Jaco. It works perfectly. Please give me the invoice and your bank details. I promise to do a transfer tonight. Thanks again for the quick turnaround time.”

  Jaco smiled, “No problem. Always happy to help my university friends. Keep well.” With the job done, he carried the packages back to her car, and waved her off.

  Stacey looked at her watch, and realising it was still relatively early, decided to head back to the office and drop the drones off. The last thing she needed was for them to be stolen from her car. In the basement, she flagged down a security officer, who helped her take the packages to the elevator and into her office. She attended to some emails and documents that needed her attention. It was getting dark outside, as she headed home, making sure to lock her office.

  She arrived home to the delicious aroma of food being prepar
ed. Slade was in the kitchen with an apron on, fussing over the stove. He smiled broadly and picked up a bunch of red roses on his way to greet her, “I’m sorry about my reaction over Jackie. I thought about it, and I think I understand your point of view.” He went on one knee, “Will you accept these flowers and dinner as an apology?”

  She leant over and gave him a full kiss, “Yes, I will.” Slade gave a dramatic sigh of relief, before kissing her again.

  They sat down to dinner, enjoying the pecorino chicken pasta, with the conversation dominated by wedding plans. Engrossed in the details, all else was forgotten for a brief moment in time.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Stacey went for an early morning run, her mind clear after a good night’s sleep. She used the quiet time to pray for her upcoming wedding, for wisdom and that life would not throw any surprises at her before the wedding.

  Arriving at the office, she found it open, and saw Emily standing by her desk, sifting through the documents she had reviewed and signed off the previous evening. She knew that she had locked her office the previous evening but was not aware that Emily having a key to it. She wanted to raise the question but chose to leave it. Emily greeted her, “Good morning. Thanks for completing all the documents. Can I get you your regular?”

  “Yes, please Emily. Please also ask Slade to collect the drones I picked up yesterday.” She pointed to the packages on the table. For the second time, she felt that something was out of place. She suspected that the packages had been moved but was not totally convinced. With Emily out of the room, she chastised herself, “My word, you really are starting to see things.” Emily had arrived back with the cappuccino as well as two young guys from the project team. They greeted her and eagerly headed to the packages, knowing what was inside.

  Emily said, “Just a reminder, that you have Gerald Visser coming in at nine, for a planning meeting.”

  Stacey had forgotten about their meeting to prepare an action plan for Elon Smith on how he can support Gerald in bringing Daniella to justice. She sat on a chair staring out of the window, trying to come up with some ideas, but she hit a blank on anything of substance. She was confident that Gerald would have come up with a comprehensive strategy. There was a soft knock at her door. She turned to see Gerald standing in the doorway, clearly distraught, and showing signs of anguish. She strode across the office and held him by his shoulders, “Gerald. Are you OK?”

  With quivering lips, he replied, “Do you mind if we go for a walk outside?” She nodded and followed him to the elevator. He was visibly shaking, but with someone else in the elevator, she was not able to probe.

  When they got into the bright daylight outside, he nervously looked around, as if expecting to find someone there. He started walking off at a brisk pace, and she had to stretch her legs to keep up, before he rasped, “They have just murdered Simon.”

  Stacey stopped in her tracks, “What? Are you sure? Who?” Gerald had stopped and was facing her. She knew that it was true, but clearly he did not know who. Unable to find words, she offered him some solace with a hug. His body started convulsing, and he dropped to the pavement. She realised that he had possibly gone into a state of shock. Wanting to call for a paramedic she reached for her mobile phone, but realised she had left it in the office. She searched the crowd for a friendly face, hoping to find someone who would assist. Her eyes came to rest on Jackie, who had her mobile phone pointed at Stacey. “Jackie, please call a paramedic, Gerald needs urgent attention!”

  Reluctantly, Jackie dialled an emergency number, and gave a brief description of what happened and provided them with an address. Without any response, she left the scene, with Stacey standing over a helpless Gerald. It was several minutes before the paramedics arrived and attended to him. By now he had stabilised and was adamant that he was not going to the hospital. They did, however, support him and seated him on a chair at a nearby outdoor coffee shop.

  “Thanks Stacey. I feel so stupid, collapsing on the street. I guess, the shock of Simon’s murder this morning just took its toll on me.”

  She replied, “I can see that. I know how close you and Simon were. I’m really sorry for the loss of your friend.”

  A waitress had brought two cups of coffee and placed them at the table, “I saw what happened. I hope you are OK. These cups are on me.”

  “Thank you” he said, smiling awkwardly at her, before turning back to Stacey, “Right now, I’m angry with myself. I am to blame for his death.” He let out a loud sob, “Last night, I sent in someone to ask Inspector Jonas a few questions, hoping that we could rattle him. This morning Simon is dead. It’s all my fault!” Gerald raised the cup to take a sip, but his hands were shaking, and he spilled the coffee down his shirt.

  Stacey felt helpless, but angry, “It’s not your fault. I know without a shadow of doubt that Daniella is behind it. I don’t have the foggiest idea how we tackle the problem, but I know we will win. I guess, I will just have to pray harder.”

  Her determined tone, brought just a hint of a smile to his face, “I guess so. I’m glad that we are on the same side, with back-up from above.”

  She had never heard him refer to God before but knew that his heart was in the right place. She said, “I agree.”

  Gerald attempted to stand up, needing the chair for support, “I need to tell his wife. I am dreading the moment, but I have to tell her.”

  Stacey got up and steadied him, “Take it easy. I’ll walk with you to your car.” Taking a deep breath, she added, “Please tell Simon’s wife, that we will pursue his killers. Justice will be done.” They walked in silence until they reached his car. Without a word, he got in and drove off.

  She walked around the block twice before heading back to her office. She found her phone and turned to find Slade in the project office. She was stopped in her tracks at the sight of Jackie standing in the office doorway, with an arrogant look on her face.

  Jackie let out a soft laugh, raising her mobile phone and showing Stacey a photograph of her hugging Gerald outside on the pavement, “I always knew you were having an affair with that man. You should be ashamed of yourself doing this in public, just a few days before your wedding.”

  While she was talking, anger was building up inside of Stacey, and she felt her body coiling. She surprised herself by lunging forward, like a sprinter leaping out of the starting blocks. Jackie hardly had time to react, as Stacey covered the short distance between them in a flash and threw a punch that caught Jackie squarely on the eye. Before she could move, Stacey had grabbed her arm, and twisted it viciously behind her back, forcing her to drop the mobile phone. Stacey shoved her hard against the wall, and then turned around and smashed the mobile phone with the heel of the boots she was wearing.

  Although infuriated, Jackie’s face showed genuine fear, “What on earth are you doing? Are you mad?”

  Stacey had miraculously gained her composure, “Jackie, you are fired.”

  Jackie snarled as she picked up the shattered remains of her mobile phone, “I don’t think Daniella will allow that. Besides, I will see you in court for assault.”

  With a heightened sense of bravado, Stacey pretended to prepare for another lunge, which sent Jackie scurrying down the passage. She then met the stare of Emily, who had obviously witnessed the whole scene. Emily took a few steps closer, “I don’t know what triggered that, but I know that Jackie fully deserved it. I underestimated you Stacey. You have way more fight in you that I ever gave you credit for. You can count on me if you need a witness.”

  Stacey was rubbing her hand, feeling a slight swelling from having punched Jackie, and with gritted teeth “Thank you Emily, but this is my fight. I don’t want to drag you into this mess. Thanks anyway.”

  Slade came running up, “Are you OK? Jackie came into the project office screaming that you had attacked her.” He saw the anger rising in her face and held up his hands. “Hey Stacey, I’m not choosing sides. I am well aware that she must have done something to anger yo
u.” Emily quietly slipped out of the room, closing the office door as she left.

  Stacey recounted the events for him, “I’m sorry. I should never have lost my cool with her, but after Simon’s death this morning, and then her little snide accusation, I guess enough was enough. I needed to send her a clear message, that I will not tolerate her game playing.” He had moved closer and held her in a comforting embrace. “Thank you Slade.”

  Suddenly the office door was flung open, allowing a fuming Daniella to storm through, “Who do you think you are, firing our top employee—” before realising that Slade was with Stacey. Rapidly gaining her composure she hissed again, “Jackie is not fired. I hired her, and you have no rights to act like some spoilt brat, who cannot control herself. I have a good mind to fire you instead.”

  Stacey saw the anger well up in Slade, and she felt his body tense up, he moved to position himself between Stacey and Daniella, with arms firmly crossed, “I think it is best you leave Daniella, before I do something that we might both regret.”

  Having not expected his reaction, she checked her forward movement, but sneered back, “Oh my goodness, the puppy dog has teeth. I suggest you take the same advice I gave your fiancée, and that is to stay the hell out of my way and my business.” She paused for effect, “The two of you are becoming a real nuisance in my life. Sooner rather than later, I will have no choice but to do something about it.” She gave a mocking little laugh and exited the office.

  Slade turned to Stacey, noticing that she had gone rather pale, and was wobbly, “Here let me help you sit down.” After helping her settle in a chair, he vehemently stated, “Stacey, I will protect you with everything I have. I will not allow that woman to destroy us or our relationship. Together we will fight her to the bitter end.”