name and passport number at the foot of the page.
Sir Michael went into the adjoining room and she heard him put a key into a lock and then the metallic sound of the door lugs of a steel safe opening and closing. A few minutes later he returned and handed her a bulky manila envelope with Daniel's name printed on it. She tried not to make her relief apparent, but her hand shook as he handed it to her.
Please give Danny my best salaams. Sir Michael walked her to the front door of the embassy. When is he coming back from Sengi-Sengi?
I'm flying up to join him this afternoon.
Bonny had her nerves under control and chatted easily. They shook hands at the door. Having one of our regular cocktail parties next Saturday, Sir Michael said. if you and Danny are back in town by then, you must come along. I'll have Miss Rogers send you an invitation to the guest house. The news of Daniel Armstrong's disappearance had not yet been reported to the embassy. Ephrem Taffari wanted all the loose ends tidied up before the alarm was raised.
Bonny went out to where Captain Kajo was waiting at the wheel of an army Landrover. She clutched the envelope in her lap, but managed another smile and wave for Sir Michael as they pulled out of the embassy gates.
Then she let out a deep breath and fell back against the seat.
President Taffari is waiting for you on his yacht, Miss Mahon, Captain Kajo told her, and took the lakeside road down to the harbour.
The yacht was moored at the naval jetty beyond the fish factory. The vessel had been the toy of a wealthy Asian businessman, one of those whom Taffari had deported and seneback to the United Kingdom when he came to power. of course, he had confiscated all the Asian's property, and this vessel was now the presidential yacht.
It was a forty-five-footer Camper and Nicholson with lovely lines, equipped with every luxury, although most of the electronic equipment had long ago failed and had not been replaced, and the paintwork and sails were no longer pristine. However, the bar was well stocked and since the yacht very seldom left its berth, the lack of navigational and sailing gear was not critical.
There were two men in the main cabin, seated at the red teak saloon table facing each other.
President Taffari was perusing the monthly operating report and profit-and-loss accounts of UDC, smiling and nodding as he did so.
Ning; Cheng Gong was watching him expectantly.
When Taffari lowered the document and looked up, Cheng answered his smile. I am impressed, Mr. Ning. It is only a very short time since you arrived in Ubomo to take control of the company, but the results are really quite spectacular. You are very gracious, Your Excellency.
Cheng bowed slightly. But I can truthfully say that I expect an even greater improvement in the months ahead. There were many problems that my English predecessor left for me, but these are being resolved. What about the vehicle maintenance depot? This is one of my major areas of concern. Taffari's smile faded. And rightly so, Mr. President. We have over a thousand heavy vehicles in service, not counting the actual MOMU installations. Our maintenance costs were running at over three million dollars a month when I took over. As you can see, I have managed to reduce these by almost forty percent.
Their discussion lasted another hour before there were footsteps on the deck outside and a polite knock on the cabin door.
Who is it? Taffari called. Captain Kajo, Mr. President, and Miss Mahon.
Taffari glanced at Cheng significantly and the Chinaman nodded. This was the reason that the meeting was being held on board the yacht, rather than in the boardroom at Lake House. Come in! Taffari ordered, and the door slid aside. Kajo stooped his long frame into the cabin and saluted awkwardly. I have Miss Mahon waiting in the Landrover on the dock, he reported.
Did she pick up the packet? Taffari asked anxiously. Yes, sir. She has it with her. Again Taffari and Cheng exchanged glances, but now both of them were smiling again. All right, Captain. Taffari nodded.
You have your orders. Yes, Mr. President. I am to accompany Mr.
Ning and Miss Mahon on the expedition to Lamu Island and I am to - No need to repeat them, Captain, Taffari interrupted. Just carry them out to the letter.
Now you may bring Miss Mahon aboard. She burst into the cabin and went directly to Ephrem Taffari, ignoring the other man at the table.
I've got it, Ephrem, she gloated.
Here it is. She laid the envelope in front of him and he picked it up, tore it open and shook out the video cassette. Are you sure this is the one? Yes, that's my notation on the label. My handwriting.
It's the one, all right. Well done. I am extremely pleased with you, Taffari told her. Come and sit beside me, my dear. She accepted the offer with alacrity and Taffari laid his hand on her thigh below the table- top.
Captain Kajo, Taffari ordered.
There is a bottle of champagne in the refrigerator. This calls for a celebration. Kajo went to the bar and busied himself with the bottle.
The cork popped and a little froth gushed on to the carpet. It was Australian rather than French, but none of them complained.
Kajo turned back to the bar, screening the row of glasses on the bar while he poured the wine. He gave Bonny her glass firsttand then served the others in order of their seniority.
Taffari lifted his glass towards Bonny. To you, my dear.
You have saved me and my country from a potentially damaging situation.
Thank you, Mr. President. Bonny took a mouthful of the champagne.
She noticed but did not remark on the slightly bitter aftertaste, for she had learned not to give him the least pretext for offence. And when Kajo refilled her glass, she drank it without question. The unpleasant taste was less noticeable now. I thought we might go for a sunset cruise on the lake, Taffari told her, and Bonny smiled at him but her cheeks felt strangely numb. That would be fun, she tried to say, but it came out slurred and jumbled. Bonny broke off and stared at them. Their faces were receding and there was a ringing sound in her head. It became louder and her vision was darkening. There was only a tiny hole in the centre of the blackness in which she could see Ephrem's face, as though through the reverse end of a telescope, small and remote.