“No, I have no idea about that. I doubt that he's a religious man. But it's no secret he deals in goods that bankroll these groups - conflict diamonds, lifted crude, that sort of thing. Essentially, he creates inroads for them and makes life more difficult for all foreign corporations. And, as I'm sure you know, Tiger is the local term for 'killer for hire.'”

“And you want somebody to help you get the killer, or killers, out of your way?”

De Bues looked over at his lawyer, who nodded, and then answered. “We want to help with your criminal investigation, that's all. We're the good guys here, Dr.,Cross. Just like you. This is not a 'conspiracy,' like in one of the Bourne movies.”

“Why not go through the local authorities?”

He smiled again, that nonsmile of his. “You condescend to me, Dr. Cross. The political situation, as we both know, is complex here. It is fair to say that civil war is almost inevitable for Nigeria, but war is like fire, yes? Even as it burns something away, it leaves fertile ground.”

It seemed like every day in Africa, I was falling a little farther through the looking glass. This conversation was turning out to be no exception. The CIA had directed me to a multinational corporation-or maybe a clique of them-for help in a brutal murder case?

I stood up. “Thank you for the offer, Mr. de Bues. I need to think about it.”

De Bues followed me to the door. “Please, Dr. Cross.” He held out a business card. “At least take my number. We do want to help you.”

“Thanks,” I said and left it at that.

De Bues shook his head as I walked to his door. “You don't understand, do you? This part of the world is about to explode. And if it does, Africa could go the way of the Middle East. That is the key to your murder case, sir.”

Chapter 103

FRUSTRATED AND CONFUSED more than ever, I took a car service to Adanne's office. Then we drove to her parents' house, brainstorming about the case, Unilight's involvement, and the Tiger's whereabouts.

My next stop would be to check local records-schools, hospitals, crime reports-any instance of an Abidemi Sowande from 1981 to the present.

Adanne had good suggestions for getting access to state-level information. She wasn't surprised that the multinationals were frightened and looking for help anywhere they could find it.

“Maybe your murder investigation is heating up,” she said. “It feels like it to me.”

“Yes, to me too.”

Adanne took my hand and that was a distraction I needed.

“If you're good,” she said, “I might even sleep with you again tonight.”

I leaned in and kissed her cheek and wondered how much longer I could be good around Adanne.

“Remember Alex, I know what you're thinking. I'm probably thinking the same thing.”