As soon as he reached the bridge, Kajo held a whispered discussion with the ship's captain and they both looked to the head of the bay.
There were still streamers of smoke from the burning fishing boats drifting out over the water. The ship's captain looked worried and gave orders to get under way in unnecessarily loud and agitated tones.
Before Daniel could prevent her, Bonny walked to the stern rail and aimed the Sony camera back towards the shore. Captain Kajo scrambled down the bridge Ladder and ran down the deck shouting. No! Wait! You must not film that! Why not? It's only a bush fire, isn't it? No!
Yes It's a bush fire, but it's classified material. A top secret bush fire? Bonny teased him, but she obediently lowered the camera.
As soon as they were alone Daniel scolded her. Don't get too damned clever. That little joke could have backfired on us. On the contrary, I convinced Kajo that we are innocent, she argued. When are you going to let me have my tape back? I'll keep it, he answered. Kajo's still suspicious. My bet is that when we reach Kahali, he'll check your equipment.
It was after dark when the gunboat tied up at its berth.
During the transfer of Bonny's video equipment from the vessel to the army Landrover on the wharf, the aluminium. case that contained her tapes disappeared. Although she screamed at Kajo, and shook her finger in his face and threatened to report his inefficiency to President Taffari, Kajo just kept on smiling blandly. Don't worry, Miss Mahon.
It will turn up. I give you my personal guarantee. Kajo arrived at the guest house the following morning, all smiles and apologies, carrying the missing case. All present and correct, Miss Mahon. One of those stupid Uhali porters mislaid it. Please accept my heartfelt apologies. You can be damned certain they scanned every tape in the box, Daniel assured her when Kajo had gone. He tapped the buttoned pocket of his bush jacket.
I'm going to get this tape of the raid down to Mike at the British embassy. It's the only safe place for it. Are you coming? I have an engagement. She looked defiant.
If you're going to visit your new boy friend, just be careful.
That's my advice to you. You've seen his style. Ephrem is an honorable guy!
knew anything about that raid. Believe what you want, but don't tell anybody about this tape. Not even Tug Harrison.
Bonny froze and stared at him. She had gone very pale.
What are you talking about? she demanded. Come on, Bonny, give me some credit. I checked that phone call you made from the Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi. Of course you're reporting to Tug Harrison. How much is he paying you to spy on me? You're crazy. She tried to brazen her way out of it.
Yes, I probably am. I fell for you, didn't I? But you'll be crazy if you tell Tug about this tape. He left her staring after him and he drove down the hill towards the British embassy. The grounds of the embassy were walled and the gates were guarded by soldiers of President Taffari's personal bodyguard in camouflage uniforms and maroon berets.
Michael Hargreave came out of his office to greet Daniel. Morning, Sir Mickey.
Danny boy! I spoke to Wendy last night. She sends you her love.
'When is she arriving? Not for another few weeks, more's the pity Her mother is unwell, so Wendy has to go home first instead of coming directly from Lusaka. .
Still chatting, he led Daniel into his office' but as soon as he closed the door his manner changed. News for you, Danny. The Chinaman has arrived. Landed this morning in BOSS's executive jet. My information is he came from Taiwan via Nairobi. Moved into BOSS headquarters in Lake House immediately to take over as head of the syndicate, and Taffari is throwing one of his bashes for him on Friday evening. Expect you'll get an invitation from Government House. That should be interesting. Daniel smiled grimly. I'm looking forward to seeing that gentleman again. That may be sooner than you think.
Michael Hargreave glanced at his wristwatch. Have to leave you, dear boy. Making a luncheon speech to the assembled Rotarians of Ubomo, would you believe?
Those files I promised you are all with my secretary. She'll give you a room to work in. Have a peep at them, then give them back to her. No notes nor photostats, please, Danny. Eyes only.
Thanks, Mike; you're a hero. But one other favour, please? Fire away.
Anything to please. Hargreave family motto, don't you know? Will you keep an envelope in your personal safe for me, Mike? Michael locked the sealed envelope containing the Fish Eagle Bay tape into his strong room, then shook hands and excused himself.
Daniel watched him from the verandah as he was driven away by his uniformed chauffeur in the ambassadorial car.
Despite the Union Jack pennant on the bonnet, it was a ten-year-old Rover in need of a paint job. The ambassador to Ubomo did not rate a RollsRoyce.
Daniel went back to the files that Michael's secretary had laid out for him in a back room. When he left the embassy three hours later, his original impression of Ephrem Taffari had been reinforced a hundredfold.
He's a tough and wily bird, Daniel muttered as he started the Landrover.
He and Bonny Mahon should have fun together. The motorcycle escort, sirens wailing, was forced to moderate its speed by the condition of the road through the new area of squatters slums that had grown up around the capital.
The tarmac was pitted with sharp-edged craters, while chickens and pigs scattered, cackling and grunting, ahead of the outriders.
The presidential car, another recent gift from the same middle eastern oil potentate, was a black Mercedes. It was a mark of his high regard that President Taffari had sent it down to Lake House on the waterfront to fetch his guest to the audience.
Ning Cheng Gong sat behind the chauffeur and studied these first glimpses of Ubomo with interest.
After what he had observed in Asia and the other parts of Africa in which he had served, the poverty and degradation of the slums through which they drove neither repelled nor shocked him. From his father he had learned to look upon swarming humanity as either a source of cheap labour, or a market for the goods and services he had to sell. Without human beings there is no profit, his father had pointed out on numerous occasions. The more people the better. Always when human lives are cheap, there are great fortunes to be made. We, the Lucky
