A Quiver Full of Arrows by Jeffrey Archer Read Free Book Online

with the ministers’
officials. Each was now coming up with daily reports about the problems that
would have to be faced if they worked in Nigeria. His chief engineer was quick
to emphasise that skilled labour could not be hired at any price as the Germans
had already cornered the market for their extensive road projects. The
financial advisers also presented a gloomy report, of international companies
waiting six months or more for their cheques to be cleared by the central bank.
Eduardo made notes on the views they expressed but never ventured an opinion
himself. His staffleft him a little after eleven and he decided to take a
stroll around the hotel grounds before retiring to bed. On his walk through the
luxuriant tropical gardens he onlyjust avoided a face-to-face confrontation
with Manuel Rodrigues by darting behind a large Iroko plant.
    The little man passed by champing away at
his gum, oblivious to Eduardo’s baleful glare. Eduardo informed a chattering
grey parrot of his most secret thoughts: by Thursday afternoon, Rodrigues, you
will be on your way back to Brazil with a suitcase full of plans that can be
filed under “abortive projects”. The parrot cocked his head and screeched at
him as if he had been let in on his secret. Eduardo allowed himself a smile and
returned to his room.
    Colonel Usman arrived on the dot of
eight-forty-five again the next day and Eduardo spent the morning with the
Minister of Supplies and Co-operatives - or lack of them, as he commented to
his private secretary afterwards. The afternoon was spent with the Minister of
Labour checking over the availability of unskilled workers and the total lack
of skilled operatives. Eduardo was fast reaching the conclusion that, despite
the professed optimism of the ministers concerned, this was going to be the
toughest contract he had ever tackled.
    There was more to be lost than money if the
whole international business world stood watching him fall net on his face.
    In the evening his staff reported to him
once again, having solved a few old problems and unearthed some new ones.
    Tentatively, they had come to the conclusion
that if the present regime stayed in power, there need be no serious concern
over payment, as the President had earmarked the new city as a priority
project. They had even heard a rumour that the army would be willing to
lend-lease part of the Service Corps if there turned out to be a shortage of
skilled labour. Eduardo made a note to have this point confirmed in writing by
the Head of State during their final meeting the next day. But the labour problem
was not what was occupying Eduardo’s thoughts as he put on his silk pyjamas
that night. He was chuckling at the idea of Manuel Rodrigues’ imminent and
sudden departure for Brazil. Eduardo slept well.
    He rose with renewed vigour the next
morning, showered and put on a fresh suit. The four days were turning out to be
well worth while and a single stone might yet kill two birds. By eight-forty-five,
he was waiting impatiently for the previously punctual colonel. The colonel did
not show up at eight-forty-five and had still not appeared when the clock on
his mantelpiece struck nine. De Silveira sent his private secretary off to find
out where he was while he paced angrily backwards and forwards through the
hotel suite. His secretary returned a few minutes later in a panic with the
information that the hotel was surrounded by armed guards.
    Eduardo did not panic. He had been through
eight coupe in his life from which he had learnt one golden rule: the new
regime never kills visiting foreigners as it needs their money every bit as
much as the last government. Eduardo picked up the telephone but no one
answered him so he switched on the radio. A tape recording was playing:
    “This is Radio Nigeria, this is Radio
Nigeria. There has been a coup. General Mohammed has been overthrown and
Lieutenant Colonel Dimka has assumed leadership of the new revolutionary
government. Do not be