An African Affair Read Online Free PDF Page A

well, I knew this was a long shot.”
    He poured himself a glass of orange juice, offering her one. She shook her head no.
    “You’re the one with the Olumide exclusive. I don’t think you should be here when it comes out. You can always come back later.”
    “Right. If whatever it is you think is going to happen is so potentially dangerous, they’ll never let me back in and you know it.”
    Bresson looked crestfallen, so she softened for a moment.
    “Pete, thanks for your concern. Really. But you know I can’t leave. This is the kind of situation a reporter dreams of. I wouldn’t be much good if I left the country because I knew that some big story was about to break. Anyway, you don’t really know for certain.”
    Bresson paused for a few seconds. Then, lowering his voice, he repeated, “This is off the record.”
    “I understand.”
    “We have information that sometime in the next few weeks Fakai will be arrested.”
    Lindsay leaned forward.
    “Arrested? For what?”
    “He’ll be charged with plotting a coup. They are going to pin the Agapo murder on him.”
    “Jesus. Is there any truth to this?”
    “Not likely. We think the charge is trumped up.”
    “But if they arrest him, there’ll almost certainly be demonstrations.”
    “Exactly. That’s the idea. Olumide will then use the chaos as an excuse to call off the elections and continue military rule.”
    “And Fakai will be effectively out of the way since he’d have been sure to beat Olumide in the elections,” said Lindsay. She paused, then added, “Well, frankly, that doesn’t sound like a scenario that would upset our government. American oil companies can’t be too happy about Fakai. He’s been hinting at more local controls, even partial nationalization.”
    “It’s complicated. I’m not going to say more on that.” He poured himself another orange juice.
    “I’m grateful you said what you did, Pete. Thank you.”
    “Lindsay, I can’t force you to leave, but I am asking, as your friend, for you to be careful. I’m not going to lie to you. Of course the U.S. doesn’t want an incident. You know as well as I do that Olumide is dangerous. And I’m sure you realize that there are factions in our government who will tolerate anything to get rid of Fakai. I don’t know how much I can protect you.”
    “I guess we’ll find out,” Lindsay answered. “But I do promise to be careful, and I thank you for the warning. I’ll see you tonight.”
    “Before you go, I’d like you to meet our new political officer. Since you are obviously going to be here for a while, she will be your main contact.”
    He picked up the phone.
    “Ask Vickie to drop by, please.”
    A few minutes later, Vickie bounded into the room and shook Lindsay’s hand.
    “Welcome to the Bat Cave,” she said. “Is this your first time?”
    “Well, yes,” Lindsay said. “At least the first time in Lagos. But I should be welcoming you. When did you arrive?”
    “Just a few weeks ago, but I did a tour here five years ago. Things were even worse then, if you can imagine that.”
    “So how badly did you mess up for them to send you back?”
    Vickie laughed and looked at Peter. “Hey—you told me it was a reward for a job well done. . . .” She looked at her watch and then turned to Lindsay. “I’m really sorry, but I’ve got to run to a meeting. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.” She walked out, wiggling her fingers in a wave.
    “I really ought to be going too,” Lindsay said. She thanked Peter, and caught up with Vickie in the hallway.
    “Are you coming to the ambassador’s party tonight?” Vickie asked.
    “Yes, I’m planning to.”
    “Well, good. I’ll see you there.”
    Vickie had reached her office and was about to enter when she turned back toward Lindsay.
    “What are you wearing?”
    Lindsay was taken aback, but only for a moment.
    “A silk dress. Bright orange, wraparound skirt. What about you?”
    “I’m not sure. I was