Buying Brazil (Buying Brazil Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  “You are very kind Ignacio you are also very clever with words. Yes, I do not have the same feeling for the shifting politics of today but I have clear memories of yesterday’s. We need to more than rely on a woman’s skirt … that is all I counsel.”

  “I agree my friend. Without question I am sure we all agree. Let me suggest an alternative that may serve our purposes equally as well and will be less visible. Like all important things, it is not without risk. I want to wait a short while more before we put it in place so I can be more certain of something I strongly suspect. I ask for a little patience.”

  The room was silent until Lopes’ gravelly voice filled the space, “We can only wait for those things that give us hope. If you have hope Ignacio, please share it with us. If not, we must act now.”

  “To act now is to risk calling attention to what we are trying to protect. But, I understand your view very well. That is why I ask for only a little patience. I will be able to give you a complete report in as little as a week but in no event more than two. Then if it is decided necessary we will act with finality. Now may we turn our attention to the election and the public polls. They are very worrisome.”

  After not more than a moment Luna agreed it was time to move on. He needed to know whether the rumors he heard could be true. Did the PT really have a chance to win? If they did he would have to come home with his men. If they did it may be 1964 all over again. The rest followed his lead bowing to Aranni as they always did.

  Chapter 8

  “What was Rossi’s problem?”

  “Good morning. I’m very well thank you Robin and how are you?”

  Robin was wearing her petulant face, “Cut it out. Rossi isn’t the kind to hit the panic button. What’s going on?”

  “He didn’t panic. I asked him to look into the shooting on the marginal so I could calm you down.”

  “… and?”

  “Don’t get too calm yet. It seems the Italians may have stepped on someone’s toes. He wasn’t sure about who but he thinks it was someone in the government. It’s possible some money changed hands to secure some favors. Who knows, it may have been followed by threats of exposure when we seemed to be getting some control of the deal. Rossi could only speculate.”

  “What else?”

  “That’s all. Rossi didn’t want to discuss any of this over the phone that’s why I went to meet him. We even went out to a small café to be sure we were not overheard by anyone in his office who might misuse the information.”

  Robin walked to the window, “He’s got to find out whom so we can steer clear of them. He also has to tighten up his office. As you Brits used to say during the big war, loose lips sink ships.”

  “It wasn’t us it was you Yanks when you tried to take over the UK. I did ask Rossi if he could find out more details without exposing us. One thing is certain we’re not offering anything to anybody, not even a damned meal. We’ve got foreign corrupt practices law to worry about and as Sam says we certainly don’t need to get mixed up in local politics.”

  Her head down Robin started pawing at the carpet like a dog anxious about a buried bone, “It doesn’t feel right. Brazil still has a corner on third world corruption. If the Italians said something it would be no more than the scandal of the day. Killing them would only make a big deal out of nothing.”

  “Maybe … but someone must have been seriously upset at the idea of having their laundry aired in public. It could have been someone from the PT trying to close an early sale only to find out the customer could blow up the store before they moved in.”

  Robin landed on the back of the sofa staring coldly at me. “It still doesn’t wash. You’re not telling me something or he’s not telling us something. What next?”

  “Straight forward because it’s the only thing Sam understands. If we try anything else Skip will burn us with his old man.”

  Sliding down onto the sofa, “We got another document dump from BrasTel. Skip isn’t back yet so I’m going over there and log the stuff in. They said there are some long term commercial rate agreements with the government along with translations. I’ll probably stay there and take a look at them. It’s the first set of documents they produced that could affect valuation.”

  “Stay in touch during the day. I should be here so use the land line. Have José Carlos stay with you. If I need him, I’ll call.”

  Robin left with a bit more purpose in her step than she had shown in the last few days. Perhaps she bought my story; perhaps it simply provided her with something to hold on to. I had told her what I thought would work with both her and our invisible audience.

  The next hour and a half was spent on the phone with Sam telling him what I wanted him to know in enough detail so all he wanted to do was move on. Skip certainly reported his version last night when he called for the satellite phones. Sam hammered one point continually, stay clear of the military. “Washington said the civilian government was at odds with some of the Generals. The deal would crater if the politicians thought we were too close with any of the military.” He finished saying my package was on the way and Skip could pick it up at the Consulate tomorrow. As usual there was no goodbye from Sam just the click as he hung up.

  Sam made everything sound so simple. It was amazing how distance enhances clarity. Four or five thousand miles reduced any problem to child’s play and Skip must be trying to convince Dad he was just the child for this game. Sam knew his son well enough to understand he was distracted by Brazil’s feminine charms and, at least for the moment, believed it was just the place for him as long as he made regular reports on us.

  Plugging in my portable hard drive, I pulled up the contract for the French acquisition we closed last year on my laptop. Brazil was a civil law country like France and not a common law country like the US or UK. The French contract could act as an early model for the BrasTel deal. It would helpful in reminding me of areas where extra due diligence would be required.

  From a lot of deals at Hansen I learned a buyer in a Civil law country could not rely on the representations and warranties of the seller to the same extent as in common law countries. In Brazil a seller only had to demonstrate to a court he had fully and openly responded to a buyer’s requests even if he knew something a buyer should have known but didn’t specifically ask for. What further increased the pressure on a buyer was he couldn’t rely on Brazil’s courts for either speed or impartiality if he missed something in due diligence.

  The usual broad request for general knowledge of a topic used in the US went nowhere and neither did a request for broad representations and warranties. It raised deal risk substantially for every buyer in Brazil while providing safe harbor for the seller and its management. At over a thousand pages including primary exhibits, the French contract was state of the art in civil law environments. It contained both excellent contract language and an almost endless list of buyer diligence requests. It was a good place to start when evaluating the adequacy of our early due diligence requests.

  Using the French contract as a model also meant that Rossi wouldn’t have to start from scratch saving us a great deal of time that Sam said we didn’t have in the first place. Naturally, Rossi would have to put final shape on the contract to fit Brazilian law and practice so that it could be approved by both the commercial court and government regulators. Both approvals were required before the deal could officially close and the money move. Two steps with the potential of taking months to complete if the paperwork wasn’t tailored just right by a lawyer who knew how to work the system.

  Naturally Sam wasn’t interested in any of these necessary steps because they had the potential to cause his target deal closing date to be missed. All he did was demand results and threaten consequences. Fortunately, they were things I didn’t have to worry about right now and perhaps not at all.

  Hours later the telephone brought me out of the contract. I had forgotten I was alone and when I finally answered Robin sounded worried.

  “What
took so long? You asleep Carl?”

  “Sorry, I was going through the French contract to find what we’re forgetting.”

  “You might forget something … unbelievable. I called to see when you want José Carl to pick you up. In case you didn’t notice it’s after six.”

  “Give me a couple of hours. He can take you to the Hotel first.”

  “That will be after eight. Do you want to be there alone that late?”

  “Stop worrying. The building gets locked up at six thirty and security is on all night.”

  “Yeah, I’ve seen them sleeping when I’ve stayed late. They don’t even meet the warm body standard.”

  “Stop …”

  “We both know what Rossi said. Are you going to trust these people?”

  “You’re the only one I really trust Robin.”

  “Yeah and next you’ll have a bridge to sell me.”

  “You win. I’ll walk around the corner to Le Hotel at seven for dinner. Its less than two hundred feet so I should be safe. They serve at Brazilian speed so have José Carlos pick me up at eight thirty.”

  “… you’ll never learn. I’ll be in tomorrow. Skip never showed up. Maybe he extended his day off a day or two. Did you hear from him?”

  “I talked to Sam. He said the package is on the way so I know Skip got that done. I expect he got back this afternoon and went to visit one of his girlfriends. He’ll be in tomorrow morning.”

  “You’re probably right … see you tomorrow.”

  A little after nine José Carlos left me in front of my building and waited until the guard buzzed me in. He drove away as I went up the short flight to the garden terrace surrounding the building and sheltering the well-lit elevator lobby from the curious. No apartments were on the ground level allowing the terrace and garden to reach under the building to the elevator lobby and stairway. Now, years after construction, tall trees and mature bushes provided tropical privacy creating an inner space filled with the scent of tropical flowers. At night the garden’s low lighting left cool dark corners where residents could sit on polished concrete benches and enjoy the night in darkened seclusion. From these hidden corners it was possible to anonymously watch life pass downhill on Haddock Lobo through the bushes or quietly gossip about anyone crossing the garden. It was from one of these corners that a voice stopped me. “Sr. Carl.”

  Alana floated from the shadows into the glow from the elevator lobby. She was an apparition in a white cotton shirtdress used by the local media as the typical style from equatorial Bahia state on the north coast. Her hair tied back away from her face. Simple sandals replaced her stylish high-heels. Sophisticated Alana transformed into an innocent country girl as unsure a teen on her first date.

  “What a wonderful surprise.” Closing the distance separating us with a few steps, “I was wondering if I would see you again.”

  She lowered her eyes, “I didn’t know if I was welcome … or if it would be allowed.”

  Aware of neighbors hidden in the shadows I raised her chin looking deep into her eyes, “Of course you’re welcome. I’ve missed you”. Her hand now in mine, “Come, I’ll make us some coffee.”

  Her fingers tightened around mine, “Coffee would be a good way for us to start again Querido.”

  Once the narrow, mahogany paneled elevator doors closed us away from prying eyes Alana was in my arms. Her touch, the warm smell of her, the heat of her body pressed against me quickening my pulse as my arms tightened around her. Everything outside the small elevator fled from my thoughts. At that moment there was only her … us, together. When the door opened I couldn’t let her go.

  “Querido, we are here.”

  “I know. It’s very cozy in here Querida.”

  She slipped away with a giggle, “It will be more cozy inside.” Then she took a step towards me and placed a delicious kiss on my lips. “Just a little sweet before coffee. Come Querido.”

  Ten minutes later, snuggled together on my soft leather sofa with coffee in hand we talked about anything and nothing trying to ignore Aranni’s unwelcome presence. Finally, I decided to clear the room so we could be alone, “Downstairs you said you didn’t know whether you would be permitted to visit me. Is it the Senator?”

  “Yes.”

  “What changed your mind?”

  “The Senator. He is very smart so he knew I was unhappy.”

  “… and.”

  “He asked me. When I told him I wanted to see you he said I could.”

  “Is that all he said?”

  “No, he reminded me of my obligation to him. I told him I could never forget it.”

  Suddenly ill at ease, I sat up separating myself momentarily from Alana’s spell. Was she here to spy on me? Was this all an act? God, would I ever be free of him? “What obligation?”

  “He brought me from the country, paid for university, helped and continues to help my parents. At first I thought he was a bad man and would expect bad things. But one day he read my thoughts and told me it was for Brasil as much as it was for me. My obligation is to help Brasil.”

  “Why you? There are a lot of beautiful girls here.”

  “Yes there are but few of them earned the first place in their state academic tests. All students leaving school after twelve years must take tests so they know what direction to take. The best results are always earned in the big cities so I was different. After more than seven years with his family he is like a father. I trust him”

  “What about me? What do you feel towards me?”

  “I don’t understand Querido?”

  “You say you trust him. Trust is as important to me as it is to you. He makes it difficult … difficult for me. I don’t know if I can trust you.” Now on my feet. “Aranni tried to have me killed.”

  “No Querido. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Please …”

  “… no matter how I feel it’s impossible!”

  Now Alana was on her feet, “No Querido, don’t be angry. I want what is best for the two of us … for you. The Senator isn’t that kind of man. He is respected and loved by millions of people.”

  “I doubt it, maybe the right word is feared. At times I can’t wait to be out of this country. It’s a crazy place.”

  Her eyes began to fill with tears, “You can trust him. You can trust me … I want you to stay in Brasil” Sobbing, “I want you here with me.

  “I’m not risking my life over some damned deal. I’m not going to trust anyone just because he’s a Brazilian national hero.”

  My thoughts were churning like the storm driven sea as I walked to the window. Damn people. It made no sense for me to trust or rely on Aranni for anything. She was foolish. She was his and I had no intention of spending my life in Brazil.

  A breeze stirred the leaves outside the window. Large and shiny they twinkled with reflected light from other buildings reminding me of stars on a dark night in the English countryside. No, Brazil was not going to be my home … a blinding flash of lightning followed by a deafening clap of thunder. Raindrops the size of pound coins hammered the leaves as sheets of rain washed over everything. The steeply crowned roadway in front of the building turned the torrent into rapids racing downhill.

  Alana was at my side, “I don’t like the lightning.” A second flash had her trembling in fear and clutching my arm.

  I put my arm around her shoulders, “It’s just a little rain.”

  “Not rain, lightning. It killed my brother on the farm. Hold me, I am cold Querido.”

  Clinging tightly to each other we shut out the storm and Aranni. We were alone with everything and everyone forgotten, just a man and a woman trying to escape from nature’s threats. My lips found hers, her tongue found mine. A growing urgency pushed me … driving my hands to her buttons pulling the dress from her shoulders. Her fingers felt like fire burning into my flesh as she opened my trousers. A whispered ‘Alana’ slipped from between our lips. The violent storm washing over the city vanished within the storm driving us together.


  Hours later, spent, almost asleep, still clinging to each other Alana’s lips found my ear, “Stay here with me. Together we are more than alive.”

  My arms tightened around her. Yes, together we were more than just alive. A calm peacefulness filled me pushing everything but her into a shapeless oblivion. It was a familiar feeling from far in the past that had been lost somewhere in the years since Shelly and I had begun to grow apart.

  “Say yes Querido.”

  I wanted to say yes … but something deep inside my muddled brain robbed me of speech. All I could do was hold her close as the soft rays of dawn filtering through the trees gently began replacing dreams with the realities of a new day. Did I really want to say yes?

  Uncertain silence engulfed us. Alana and I were both afraid of turning our thoughts into spoken words. Words were always so very dangerous. They could easily shatter the fragile bond holding us so tightly together. Neither wanting night to end. Day would bring light onto many questions that could push us apart. Still, the unrepentant sun found its way in reminding us that day followed every night bringing with it the unwanted realities that had been driven away the night before.

  “Querida, we have to get up.”

  “No …”

  “Come on, we’ll shower and get some breakfast. I have to go to work.”

  Alana pulled the sheet over her head, “I want us to stay here.”

  “Me too but we can’t. There’s tonight.”

  “Yes tonight …,” sitting up, “maybe there is tonight.”

  Alana drew into herself remaining silent through our shower and breakfast that followed at a sidewalk table on Oscar Freire. She seemed immune to the happy dappled sunlight dancing through the tree above to play in her water glass finally turning to rainbows on the starched white tablecloth. More troubling was her silence accompanied by a shadow dimming the sparkle in her eyes. I worried about what was troubling her so. But, it wasn’t until after I had put her in a cab and José Carlos was half way to the office that I put “maybe there is tonight” together with her behavior. Did she know something?