Silence.
‘We can live with that,’ said the Voice finally. ‘But we can only help you if you answer our questions. If you cooperate fully, we’ll do everything we can to keep you safe.’
Bowman felt his muscles tense with anger. He could barely believe what he was hearing. ‘Why are we pushing the boat our for this guy?’ he growled. ‘He’s a criminal, for Christ’s sake.’
‘Shut up,’ Mallet snapped.
‘Start talking, David,’ said the Voice. ‘Tell us what you’re planning with the Russians.’
‘There’s a deal,’ said Lang. ‘Between President Seguma and the Kremlin. I’ve been working as a go-between for both sides. But you’re wrong about one thing. It ain’t about changing allegiance.’
‘What, then?’
Lang hesitated.
‘Talk,’ Mallet hissed threateningly.
‘The Russians are going to convince Seguma to stand down,’ said Lang. ‘He’ll announce his resignation as president. Today.’
‘That’s why you’re meeting the Russians later?’ Bowman asked. ‘To make this announcement?’
Lang nodded feebly.
‘It’s going to be broadcast on state radio and TV in Karatandu. Then the Russians are going to take over the country by force. Put their own man in charge. And there’s nothing you can do to stop them.’
Sixteen
There was a beat of cold silence in the room. Bowman sat very still, the breath trapped in his throat. He saw Mallet’s jawline visibly tense, the skin stretching across his weathered face. Lang hung his head low and stared at a spot between his feet. Then Mallet spoke up.
‘You and your Russian mates must be living in la-la land. Why would Seguma agree to give up the throne?’
Lang slowly lifted his head. ‘He doesn’t have a choice. The Russians are going to launch a military coup, with the backing of the KUF.’
‘Who the fuck are they?’
‘The Karatandu United Front. The main rebel paramilitary force.’
Bowman said, ‘I’ve heard of them. There was an interview on TV with their leader yesterday. Some bloke with golden teeth.’
‘Kakuba,’ Lang said. ‘General Moses Kakuba. He’s ex-army. Used to be one of Seguma’s most loyal officers. He switched sides a few years ago. Reckons he was overlooked for a promotion because of his tribal heritage. Now he leads the armed wing of the KUF. Fancies himself as the next president of Karatandu.’
‘He’ll get it, if he’s doing a deal with the Russians.’
Lang’s lips twisted up at the corners in an ugly sneer. ‘He’s being played. The Russians are manipulating him. Kakuba thinks they’re partners, but they’re the ones calling the shots. He’s just another lefty idealist taking whatever help he can get.’
‘What if Seguma puts up a fight?’ Mallet asked.
‘He won’t,’ Lang replied. ‘They’ve given Ken an ultimatum. Either he agrees to stand down peacefully, or there’s gonna be a bloodbath.’
‘It’ll never work,’ the Voice said. ‘The army is loyal to Seguma. He’s been very generous to the generals over the years.’
‘That’s why the Russians need the announcement from Ken. Once his men find out he’s thrown in the towel, they won’t stand by him. Not this time. Why fight for a leader who’s given up?’
‘What about the rest of his inner circle?’
‘Some of them will come over. The ones we’ve paid off. The rest will get the old head-chopping treatment.’
Mallet glowered at him. ‘That’s why the Kremlin reached out to you. You’re well connected in Karatandu, you know all the key figures to bribe. You and that dipshit brother of yours.’
‘Don’t talk about Freddie that way. I’m warning you.’
‘See this?’ Mallet pointed to his face. ‘This is me shitting myself, Davey.’
Lang stared daggers at the Scot.
‘The plan makes sense,’ the Voice said. ‘If Moscow can convince Seguma to step down, they can take over the country without a shot being fired.’
‘They’d want to avoid getting sucked into a violent rebellion,’ Bowman said. ‘It could get ugly. People would be outraged.’
‘Hasn’t stopped the Russians before,’ Mallet said.
‘What’s in this for Seguma?’ asked Bowman.
‘He gets to retire peacefully. Which is more than the bloke before him got to enjoy. Ken knows he’s made plenty of enemies over the years. He also knows that you people take him for granted.’
‘Britain is a loyal ally,’ the Voice insisted. ‘And we have been for many years.’
‘That’s not how Ken sees it. Far as he’s concerned, the support he’s had from Westminster is piss-poor. Yeah, you throw him the odd bone, but when it comes to hard investment, supplying arms and whatnot, you’re not interested. All you care about is bleeding the country dry.’
‘I still don’t understand why Seguma would go along with the plan,’ said Bowman. ‘He’s crushed uprisings before. He might think he stands a chance this time.’
‘You fucking thick or something? Look at the news, son. Ken’s losing his magic touch. He ain’t as popular as he used to be with his people. Some of those ungrateful scrotes would like to see him hang. Ken knows that the moment he loses power, he’s vulnerable. The Russians are offering him a way out. A chance to retire in peace.’
‘And if he refuses?’
‘He won’t. Ken has already agreed to the deal.’
‘That’s why you set up this meeting today? To rubber-stamp this thing?’
Lang nodded. ‘Once Ken has announced his resignation, the Russians will whisk his family over from Karatandu. He can enjoy a quiet existence in Monte Carlo or Malta or wherever, enjoying the company of his friends and family, his money.’
‘The cash he’s trousered from his country’s oil and gas reserves, you mean.’
‘Spare me your sermonising. Ken’s a good man. He’s made a few mistakes in his time, but who ain’t? He brought stability to his country, peace. He put Karatandu on the map. If he was a white man, he would have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by now.’
‘Maybe,’ said Bowman. ‘If he hadn’t butchered thousands of his own people.’
‘Our government kills people every day.’
‘That’s different.’
‘Is it?’
Mallet said, ‘I can see what Seguma stands to gain from this arrangement. But what’s your interest?’
‘I get my cut,’ Lang replied defensively. ‘That’s only reasonable. But I ain’t doing
