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.Telex them back immediately and inform them you're chairman of the greatest construction company in the world and they can roast in hell before you will agree to their pathetic terms.You know it's far too late for them to go out to tender again with every other section of the highway ready to begin work.They would lose millions.Call their bluff, Eduardo.""I think you may be right, Manuel, but any hold-up now54The Coupcan only waste my time and money, so I intend to agree to their demand and look for a partner.""You'll never find one at such short notice.""I will.""Who?"Eduardo de Silveira hesitated only for a second."You, Manuel.I want to offer Rodrigues International S.A.fifty per cent of the Amazon road contract."Manuel Rodrigues looked up at F:duardo.It was the first time that he had not anticipated his old rival's next move."I suppose it might help cover the millions you owe me in table tennis debts."The two men laughed, then Rodrigues stood up and they shook hands gravely.De Silveira left the dining room on the run and wrote out a telex for his manager to transmit."Sign, accept terms, fifty per cent partner will be Rodrigues International Construction S.A., Brazil.""If I telex that message, sir, you do realise that it's legally binding?""Send it," said Eduardo.Eduardo returned once again to the dining room where Manuel had ordered the finest bottle of champagne in the hotel.Just as they were calling for a second bottle, and singing a spirited version of Esta Cheganda a hora, Eduardo's private secretary appeared by his side again, this time with two telexes, one from the President of the Banco do Brasil and a second from his brother Carlos.Both wanted confirmation of the agreed partner for the Amazon road project.Eduardo uncorked the second bottle of champagne without looking up at his private secretary."Confirm Rodrigues International Construction to the President of the bank and my brother," he said as he filled Manuel's empty glass."And don't bother me again tonight.""Yes, sir," said the private secretary and left without another word.Neither man could recall what time he climbed into bed55.A Quiver Full of Arrowsthat night but de Silveira was-abruptly awakened from a deep sleep by his secretary early the next morning.Eduardo took a few minutes to digest the news.Lieutenant Colonel Dimka had been caught in Kano at three o'clock that morning, and all the airports were now open again.Eduardo picked up the phone and dialled three digits."Manuel, you've heard the news?.Good.Then you must By back with me in my 707 or it may be days before you get out.One hour's time in the lobby.See you then."At eight-forty-five there was a quiet knock on the door and Eduardo's secretary opened it to find Colonel Usman standing to attention, just as he had done in the days before the coup.He held a note in his hand.Eduardo tore open the envelope to find an invitation to lunch that day with the new Head of State, General Obasanjo."Please convey my apologies to your President," said Eduardo, "and be kind enough to explain that I have pressing commitments to attend to in my own country."The colonel retired reluctantly.Eduardo dressed in the suit, shirt and tie he had worn on his first day in Nigeria and took the lift downstairs to the lobby where he joined Manuel who was once more wearing jeans and a tee-shirt.The two chairmen left the hotel and climbed into the back of the leading Mercedes and the motorcade of six began its journey to the airport.The colonel, who now sat in front with the driver, did not venture to speak to either of the distinguished Brazilians for the entire journey.The two men, he would be able to tell the new President later, seemed to be preoccupied with a discussion on an Amazon road project and how the responsibility should be divided between their two companies.Customs were bypassed as neither man had anything they wanted to take out of the country other than themselves, and the fleet of cars came to a halt at the side of Eduardo's blue and silver 707.The staff of both companies climbed aboard the rear section of the aircraft, also engrossed in discussion on the Amazon road project.56~ coupA corporal jumped out ofthe lead car and opened the back door, to allow the two chairmen to walk straight up the steps and board the front section of the aircraft.As Eduardo stepped out of the Mercedes, the Nigerian driver saluted smartly."Goodbye, sir," he said, revealing the large set of white teeth once again.Eduardo said nothing."I hope," said the corporal politely, "you made very big deal while you were in Nigeria."57The First Miracle Tomorrow it would be I A.D., but nobody had told him.If anyone had, he wouldn't have understood because he thought that it was the forty-third year in the reign of the Emperor, and in any case, he had other things on his mind.His mother was still cross with him and he had to admit that he'd been naughty that day, even by the standards of a normal thirteen-year-old.He hadn't meant to drop the pitcher when she had sent him to the well for water.He tried to explain to his mother that it wasn't his fault that he had tripped over a stone; and that at least was true.What he hadn't told her was that he was chasing a stray dog at the time
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