Limit

by Frank Schätzing

  Jericho gave him a brief overview of Ndongo’s unsuccessful attempt to reform the country and do business with the United States again, and of Mayé’s subsequent coup, Beijing’s obvious implication in it and Mayé’s China politics. He also mentioned the dictator’s growing delusions of grandeur, his failed space programme and his violent removal from power.

  ‘The official story is that Mayé and his clique fell victim to a Bubi revolt which was supported by influential Fang groups,’ he said. ‘Which would be plausible. But Obiang certainly wasn’t behind it. Since his expulsion to Cameroon he’s become quite a hermit and, according to rumour, is fighting his final battle against cancer.’

  ‘And it wouldn’t have been the sons either?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Well,’ Tu clicked his tongue. ‘There’s surprisingly little information about what’s been happening there over the last year, don’t you think?’

  Jericho gave him an appraising look. ‘Is it just my imagination, or do you know something that I should know?’

  ‘Oída ouk eidós,’ said Tu innocently.

  ‘That’s not Confucius.’

  ‘I know, are you impressed? It’s Plato, Socrates’ apologia: I know that I know not.’

  ‘Show-off.’

  ‘Not at all. It’s perfectly fitting for what I’m trying to say. I do know that there’s an explanation for the diminished interest in Equatorial Guinea, but I just can’t work out what it is. I know it’s something obvious though. Something that’s right in front of our noses.’

  ‘Does it also explain why there was hardly any public speculation about involvement from abroad?’

  ‘Ask me after I’ve figured out what it is.’

  Jericho listened to the navigation system for a while.

  ‘Look, the problem is that the coup wouldn’t have been possible without outside help,’ he said. ‘It’s clear that Mayé was installed there by the Chinese, so one would assume that America did it. But our text fragment says something different, that China had its finger in the pie too. If that’s correct, then the submissive servant wasn’t submissive enough when it really came down to it.’

  ‘You mean he was no longer willing to comply with Beijing’s wishes?’

  ‘Yoyo and I are leaning towards the view that he and his inner circle could even have become dangerous for China.’

  ‘Which would explain why the Chinese build him up first and then kill him,’ concluded Tu.

  ‘And accept the considerable disadvantages too.’

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘Oil. Gas. Ndongo had never been Beijing’s friend.’

  Tu opened his mouth. For a moment he looked as though he had grasped something which had far-reaching implications. The he clapped his lower jaw back up. Jericho raised an eyebrow.

  ‘You wanted to say something?’

  ‘Later.’

  They fell silent. Yoyo had fallen asleep on the back seat again. Once they were finally on the autobahn, dawn began to break and the traffic became busier. The navigation system issued muted directions. They approached Berlin Mitte, were directed towards Potsdamer Platz and, by 5.30 a.m., had secured spacious rooms on the seventh floor of the newly renovated Hyatt. An hour later, they sat down to breakfast. The choice was more than ample. Yoyo had overcome her tiredness and was shovelling immense quantities of scrambled eggs and bacon into her mouth. Tu, much less picky, instead made his way diagonally through what was on offer, managing to combine smoked fish and chocolate spread in such a repulsive way that Jericho had to avert his gaze. As usual, Tu didn’t even seem to register what he was eating. He noisily watered down the melange with green tea and started to talk:

  ‘You can’t still be tired, you slept enough in Shanghai, so—’

  ‘I didn’t even get a wink of sleep,’ groaned Yoyo. ‘Only just then on the plane.’

  ‘The same with me,’ admitted Jericho. ‘Every time I thought I was dropping off it felt as if I was falling into an electrical field.’

  ‘God, that’s it!’ Yoyo opened her eyes wide and touched his hand, as though in reflex. ‘That’s exactly what it feels like. As if someone’s running a bolt of electricity through you.’

  ‘Yes, you jump—’

  ‘And then you’re awake again! The whole night through.’

  ‘Interesting.’ Tu looked at them each in turn and shook his head. ‘I mean, I went through the little Depression of 2010, the Yuan Crisis of 2018, the recession two years ago – and I didn’t let any of it rob me of my sleep.’

  ‘Oh no?’ drawled Yoyo. ‘Did someone slaughter your friends in front of your eyes too, and then almost hound you to death afterwards?’

  Tu cocked his head to one side.

  ‘So you think you’re the only person who’s seen others die?’

  ‘I have no idea.’

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘I mean, I have no idea what you’ve seen.’

  ‘If you don’t have any idea—’

  ‘No, I don’t!’ hissed Yoyo. ‘And do you know why not? Because you and my father brood about your miserable pasts by yourselves! I don’t care what you’ve both been through. Maggie, Tony, Jia Wei and Ziyi were shot into shreds in front of my eyes. Xiao-Tong, Mak and Ye are dead too. I don’t even want to start on Grand Cherokee; and the fact that my father, Daxiong and Owen are still alive is bordering on a miracle. So I’ve allowed myself to lose a little sleep over it. Do you have any other clever comments?’

  ‘You should keep your outbreaks of emotion—’

  ‘No, you should!’ Yoyo waved her hands around wildly in the air. ‘Hongbing, tell your child the truth, you have to trust her, you can’t keep up this silence any longer, blah blah blah. God, you’re the master of blah blah blah, Tian, you’re sooo understanding and constructive! But when it comes to you, you keep things under wraps, right?’

  ‘If I could just—’ interjected Jericho.

  ‘You’re no better than Hongbing, do you know that?’

  ‘Hey!’ Jericho leaned over. ‘I’ve no idea why you guys came to Berlin, but I want to find Andre Donner, is that clear? So sort your issues out somewhere else.’

  ‘Tell him that.’

  Tu kneaded his hands morosely. He slurped tea, took a bite of a sausage, shoved the rest in after it, scrunched up his serviette and threw it carelessly onto the plate. Clearly he wasn’t anywhere near as untouchable as he liked to imply. For a while, hurt silence reigned.

  ‘Fine. As far as I’m concerned you can have a nap. But at some point in the course of the morning it would be advisable for you to stock up on the essentials, underwear, T-shirts, cosmetics, whatever. Perhaps we’ll be back home again by this time tomorrow, but perhaps we won’t. There’s a shopping mall just opposite. Go and get what you need. After that we’ll pay Muntu a visit. Is the place open at midday?’

  ‘From twelve until two. According to the website.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘I’m not sure.’ Jericho tore a croissant to pieces indecisively. ‘We shouldn’t just all rock up there at once.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘We want to warn Donner, not make him take flight. A European-looking guy, a Chinese girl, fine. In the city we’d just look like a normal couple. But add another Chinese guy and Donner could get suspicious.’

  ‘You think? Berlin is full of Chinese people.’

  ‘Do they go to African restaurants?’

  ‘Please! We’re the most culturally open people in the world.’

  ‘You’re as open as a vacuum cleaner,’ said Jericho. ‘You suck up everything that isn’t screwed on and riveted, but gastronomically you’re all ignorant.’

  ‘You’re confusing us with the Japanese.’

  ‘Not at all. The Japanese are culinary fascists. You lot, on the other hand, are just ignorant.’

  ‘I’m sure things would look different at McDonald’s.’

  ‘Oh, come on!’ Jericho couldn’t help but laugh. Discussing food with Tu was almost as a
bsurd as explaining the benefits of vegetarianism to a shark. ‘When you guys are abroad you always go to Chinese restaurants, right? All I’m saying is that the man who now goes by the name of Donner has had bad experiences with Chinese people, if our theories are correct. He’s being hunted. The organisation that Vogelaar and Kenny belong to want to kill him.’

  ‘Hmm.’ Tu pursed his lips. ‘Perhaps you’re right.’

  ‘Of course he’s right,’ said Yoyo to her plate.

  ‘Fine then, you two go to Muntu. I’ll hold the fort here.’

  ‘You could amuse yourself with Diane in the meantime,’ suggested Jericho. ‘Try to find out more about how Mayé was overthrown. And more about Ndongo. What drives him, what are his interests, who’s supporting him? And why has there not been any more news from Equatorial Guinea?’

  ‘I think I already know.’

  Jericho stopped. Even Yoyo seemed to have overcome her hurt pride and was looking at him expectantly. Tu stretched out his fingers and massaged the globe of his belly.

  ‘And?’

  ‘Later.’ Tu got up. ‘You have things to do, I have things to do. Have a good sleep. After that you can go and exhaust my credit cards.’

  * * *

  Jericho would have preferred to track down Donner as soon as they landed and, if needs be, turn up on his doorstep and get him out of bed, but there was no private address on record for him anywhere. He instructed the hotel computer to wake him at 10 a.m. He feared he’d relive the nightmare of the previous night, interspersed with phases of just staring at his eyelids from the inside, but instead he slept a deep and dreamless sleep for two hours and awoke in a much better mood and full of purpose. Yoyo seemed more cheerful too. They made their way through the mall, purchased underwear, shirts and toothbrushes and commented on the everyday life going on around them. Yoyo bought several bottles of spray-on clothing. It was hot and sunny in Berlin, so they didn’t need more than just a few things. Jericho avoided asking her about her private life. He didn’t really know how to act around the girl in this relatively normal setting; for a change there wasn’t anything to research, nor was there anything to run from. Yoyo displayed an almost dismissive lack of concern by skipping around in front of him in the tiniest of tops, touching him every few minutes, pulling him here and there and getting so close to him that the only possible explanation for her actions seemed to be her complete lack of sexual interest in him.

  That’s exactly what it is, concurred the pimply boy hiding in the shade at the corner of the playground, seeking comfort from Radiohead, Keane and Oasis. That’s what women are like; you’re just a thing to them, not someone who can express desire or intentions. A conglomerate of cells only spat into life to be a friend to them. They would rather be seduced by their teddy bears than acknowledge the possibility that you could fall in love with them.

  Bite me, Jericho told him. Pussy.

  After that, the pus-filled, pubescent-stubble-covered ghost retreated, and Yoyo’s company really began to grow on him. Nonetheless, he was still relieved when it got closer to twelve and it was time to drive to Oranienburger Strasse. Muntu was on the ground floor of a beautifully renovated old building just a few hundred metres from the banks of the Spree, where Museum Island divided the water like a stranded whale. They almost walked right past it – the tiny restaurant was crammed furtively between an evangelical bookshop and a branch of the Bank of Beijing, as if it wanted to make a surprise attack on passersby. Over the door and windows was a cracked wooden panel with MUNTU in archaic-looking lettering, and underneath, The Charm of African Cuisine.

  ‘It’s cute,’ said Yoyo as they stepped inside.

  Jericho looked around. Ochre and banana-yellow coloured walls, offset with blue on the skirting boards. Batik-patterned tablecloths, above which paper lamps hung down like huge, glimmering turnips. Wooden pillars and ceiling beams were painted and decorated with carvings. The end wall of the square room was dominated by a bar of rustic design, and to the left of that swing doors covered with mythical images led through into the kitchen. There was no trace here of the battle sculptures, spears, shields and masks commonly found in similar establishments, an agreeable omission which suggested authenticity.

  Only a few of the tables were occupied. Yoyo headed towards a table near the bar. A figure broke away from the half-shadow behind it and came over to them. The woman might have been in her early forties, possibly older. Wrinkles came late to African women, which made guessing their age a challenge. Her slim-fitting dress was hued with powerful, earthy colours, and a matching headdress unfurled from an explosion of Rasta locks. She was very dark and quite attractive, and had a laugh that didn’t seem acquainted with the compromise of a smile.

  ‘My name is Nyela,’ she said in guttural German. ‘Would you like a drink?’

  Yoyo looked at Jericho, confused. He mimed bringing a glass to his lips.

  ‘Ah, okay,’ said Yoyo. ‘Cola.’

  ‘How boring.’ Nyela switched to English instantly. ‘Have you ever tried palm wine? It’s fermented palm juice made from flower bulbs.’

  Without waiting for an answer, she disappeared behind the bar, came back with two beakers of a milky-looking drink and laid out English menus in front of them.

  ‘We’re out of ostrich steak. I’ll be back in a moment.’

  Jericho took a sip. The wine tasted good, cool and a little sharp. Yoyo’s gaze followed Nyela to the neighbouring table.

  ‘What now?’

  ‘We order something.’

  ‘Why aren’t you asking to see Donner? I thought it was urgent.’

  ‘It is.’ Jericho leaned over. ‘I just don’t think it’s a good idea if we blurt it out just like that. In his position I would be a bit mistrustful if someone asked for me for no reason.’

  ‘But we’re not asking for no reason.’

  ‘And what do you want her to tell him? That he’s going to be killed? Then he’ll slip through our fingers.’

  ‘We’ll have to ask for him at some point.’

  ‘And we will.’

  ‘Okay, fine, you’re the boss.’ Yoyo opened her menu. ‘So what do you fancy today, boss? Ragout of kudu-antelope perhaps? Monkey penis with skinned-alive frogs?’

  ‘Don’t be silly.’ Jericho let his gaze wander over the starters and main courses. ‘It all sounds really good. Jolof rice, for example, I had that back in London.’

  ‘Never had it.’

  ‘All it takes is a little courage,’ Jericho teased her. ‘Think of how we Europeans have to suffer in Sichuan.’

  ‘No, I’m not so sure. Adalu, akara, dodo.’ Her eyes flitted back and forth. ‘Look at the crazy names these things have. How about some nunu, Owen? Some nice nunu.’

  Jericho paused. ‘You’re on the menu too.’

  ‘Eh?’

  ‘Efo-Yoyo Stew!’ He laughed loudly. ‘Well, we know what you’re having then.’

  ‘Are you insane? What on earth is it?’ She wrinkled her brow and read: ‘Spinach sauce with crabs and chicken and – ishu? What the devil is ishu?’

  ‘Yam dumplings.’ The black woman had come back over to their table. ‘No party without yams.’

  ‘What are yams?’

  ‘It’s a root. The queen of all roots! The women cook them and then pound them with a pestle and mortar. It really builds the muscles.’ Nyela gave a deep and melodic laugh and showed them a well-sculpted bicep. ‘Men are too lazy for it. Probably too dumb too, no offence, my friend.’ Her hand clasped Jericho’s shoulder in a familiar way. A spicy scent came off her, a raw seduction.

  ‘You know what?’ said Jericho cheerfully. ‘Just put something together for us.’

  ‘He’s no fool,’ said Nyela, winking at Yoyo. ‘Letting the women decide.’

  She disappeared into the kitchen. Not even ten minutes later, she came back bearing two trays groaning with dishes.

  ‘Paradise is here,’ she sang.

  Yoyo, her face full of mistrust, watched as Nyela put down l
ittle plates and bowls in front of them.

  ‘Ceesbaar, pancakes made from plantain. Akara, deep-fried dumplings with shrimps. Samosas, pastry parcels with minced beef. Those are moyinmoyin, bean cakes with crabs and turkey meat. Next to that is efo-egusi, spinach with melon seeds, beef and dried cod. Here, nunu, made from millet and yoghurt. Then adalu, bean and banana stew with fish. Brochettes, little fish skewers. Dodo, roasted in peanut oil, and – tapioca pudding!’

  ‘Ah,’ said Yoyo.

  Jericho stretched out his finger and sampled the akara, samosas and moyinmoyin in quick succession.

  ‘Delicious,’ he cried, before Nyela could get away again. ‘How is it possible that I’d never heard of this place before?’

  Nyela hesitated. Catching sight of a raised hand at the neighbouring table, she excused herself, took their order, delivered it to the kitchen and then came back.

  ‘That’s easy,’ she said. ‘We only opened six months ago.’

  Jericho was stuffing his mouth full of nunu while Yoyo nibbled timidly at one of the fish skewers. ‘And where were you before that?’

  ‘Africa. Cameroon.’

  ‘You speak excellent English.’

  ‘I can get by. German is much harder. It’s a strange language.’

  ‘Isn’t Cameroon French-speaking?’ asked Yoyo.

  ‘African,’ said Nyela, with a facial expression that implied Yoyo had just cracked a good joke. ‘Cameroon was once French. A large part of it at any rate. Many languages are spoken there: Bantu, Kotoko and Shuwa, French, English, Camfranglais.’

  ‘And you’re the one who cooked all these wonderful things?’ asked Jericho.

  ‘Most of them.’

  ‘Nyela, you’re a goddess.’

  Nyela laughed, so loudly that the paper lamps shook.

  ‘Is he always this charming?’ she wanted to know. ‘Such a charming liar?’

  Yoyo didn’t answer, coughing instead. She seemed to have just realised that the spiciness of the pancakes struck with a malicious delay. Jericho took a slug of palm wine.

  ‘Nyela, we’ve been play-acting a little. Muntu was actually recommended to us. So we’re not here completely by chance. We would like to include you in a food guide. Would you be interested?’