Chaos Theory Read Online Free PDF Page A

all I was looking for.’
    ‘He blinked?’ asked Reuben.
    ‘Oh, yes. He invited me to visit Gambella to see how wonderfully well the Anuaks are being treated. He wouldn’t have done that if he hadn’t wanted that extra aid so badly. But let’s face it – this year’s drought has been the worst for seventeen years, and I think he would rather stop persecuting the Anuaks for a while than lose five and a half million dollars worth of food.’
    ‘Seems like everything has a price, doesn’t it?’ said Rick. ‘Even human decency.’
     
    They crossed the shiny marble lobby. A crowd of reporters and TV cameramen were waiting for Adeola outside. They were supposed to be held back behind a velvet rope, but as she stepped out on to the hotel steps they pushed forward with their microphones held out.
    ‘Ms Davis! Have you managed to reach any kind of agreement with the Ethiopian government?’
    ‘Ms Davis! Did they give way on any human rights issues?’
    ‘Ms Davis!’
    Adeola paused for a moment. ‘I’ll have a full statement for you at six this evening, when I hold my media conference at the Emirates Towers. Right now, I can tell you that His Excellency and I had a very constructive discussion in which a number of important issues were raised, including humanitarian aid and human rights.’
    ‘How about the Anuaks? Did you discuss the situation in Gambella?’
    ‘Yes, we did. And His Excellency has kindly invited me to visit Gambella to see the conditions there for myself.’
    That will skewer the bastard, she thought. Now I’ve announced it publicly, he won’t be able to withdraw the invitation without looking as if he has something to hide.
    Rick took her elbow. ‘Come on, time to haul ass. We’re too exposed out here.’
    The three black Explorers nosed their way towards the front steps. Rick was staying close to Adeola and looking around anxiously. The media people were milling about everywhere, as well as a recently-arrived party of French tourists, and Rick was never happy when there were too many people for him to keep his eye on. The Explorers’ doors opened and Charles climbed out of the rear vehicle and beckoned Rick to hurry up and bring Adeola down the steps.
    At that moment Adeola heard the slap-slap-slapping of sandals. The young Arab who had approached them outside the Emirates Towers Hotel was hurrying up the steps towards them. He was smiling, just like before, and he called out, ‘Ms Davis! Assalam alekum! ’
    ‘Your fan, the autograph hunter,’ said Rick. ‘Persistent little pest, isn’t he?’
    ‘Hey, buddy,’ said Reuben, holding out his hand to prevent the young Arab from coming any further up the steps, ‘I told you before, didn’t I? That’s as far as you go.’
    ‘Oh come on, Reuben,’ Adeola called out to him. ‘He only wants an autograph.’
    ‘All I ask for is autograph!’ the young Arab repeated.
    ‘Well, OK,’ said Reuben, and stepped aside so that the young Arab could climb the steps towards them.
    But it was then that Rick said, ‘Holy Christ, his coat’s buttoned up – and where’s his hat?’
    Adeola said, ‘What?’ But it was then that she realized that the young Arab’s black coat was fastened, and he looked much bulkier than he had before. Not only that, he had replaced his knitted hat with a black scarf, tied tight around his temples.
    ‘ Rube! ’ yelled Rick, and tugged out his semi-automatic.
    Reuben came storming up the steps and threw himself at the young Arab in a massive football tackle. The two of them started to topple sideways, but they hadn’t fallen even halfway to the ground before there was an explosion so loud Adeola couldn’t even hear it.
    The young Arab’s head sprang from his shoulders as if somebody had kicked it, and hurtled high up into the air. Adeola was knocked backward, and as she fell she saw a blizzard of body parts flying over her, followed by a warm, wet spray against her face. She felt Rick snatching at her sleeve,