Page 61 of Never

‘What type?’

‘A bullpup rifle.’

‘Norinco brand?’

‘Yes.’

‘Chinese!’ Karim looked triumphant. ‘The Sudanese armed forces buy all their weapons from China.’

ISGS had Norinco guns too, and they got them from the same source, the Sudanese army, but Tamara did not point this out. She doubted that Karim himself believed what he was saying. But it was the line that the government was going to take, and Tamara simply noted that as useful intelligence. ‘Will the General take any action?’

‘He will tell the world who is responsible for this!’

‘And how would he do that?’

‘He is planning a major speech in which he will attack the role of the Sudan government in subversion here in Chad.’

‘A major speech.’

‘Yes.’

‘When?’

‘Soon.’

‘You and the others must be working on the text already.’

‘Absolutely.’

Tamara chose her words carefully. ‘The White House will be hoping that this situation isn’t going to escalate. We don’t want to see the region destabilized.’

‘Of course, of course, we feel the same, it goes without saying.’

Tamara hesitated. Did she have the nerve for what she had in mind? Hell, yes. ‘It would be a great help to President Green if she could see a draft of the speech in advance.’

There was a long pause.

Tamara guessed that Karim was startled by the audacity of the request, but he was also thinking how useful it could be to get the Americans’ approval.

She was amazed that he was even thinking about it.

Eventually, he said: ‘I’ll see what I can do,’ and turned away.

Tamara looked around and saw a riot of colour. The room was now packed, with the women competing to be the brightest. The French doors were open so that people could go outside to smoke. Desert Funk were playing a rhythmic African version of cool jazz, but the roar of conversation in Arabic, French and English drowned out the band. The air-conditioning struggled to cope. Everyone was having fun.

Shirley appeared by her side. ‘You didn’t give Tabdar much time, Tamara.’

That was perceptive. ‘He was in a hurry to tell you Happy Birthday.’

‘You were all over him a couple of weeks ago, at the Italian embassy reception.’

Now that Tamara thought about it, she had talked to Tab for a long time that evening, though it had been mainly about Abdul. Had she been falling for Tab then, without knowing it? ‘I was not all over him,’ she said. ‘We were discussing work.’

Shirley shrugged. ‘As you wish. I expect he’s done something to offend you. You’ve quarrelled.’ She looked hard at Tamara, then said: ‘No, wait – it’s the opposite! You’re pretending. You’re covering it up.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Have you slept with him?’

Tamara did not know how to answer that. She would have to sayyes and no, which would only call for further explanation.

Shirley looked flustered, which was unusual for her. ‘How rude of me to ask. I’m sorry.’