Buying Brazil (Buying Brazil Trilogy Book 1)

by Arthur Rawl

  “Then she has good reason to be very happy.”

  “Are you going to tell me what the reason is?”

  “No, it is her secret and mine and most of the fun is keeping the secret. Don’t you agree?”

  “You are as bad as she is and I love you both. I must be crazy.”

  “Thank you. I wanted to see you to ask if we could have dinner,” nodding to Aranni’s sister who returned it with a smile, “a supervised dinner Saturday night? There is something I would like to discuss with you.”

  “My aunt does not understand a word of English. That is why my Guardian chose her. Her presence should have no effect on our business conversations. If I tell you my secret first will you tell me yours?”

  “Mine is an important secret.”

  With a conspiratorial grin, “… and mine is a very important secret.”

  “I’ll have to decide just how important it is when you tell me.”

  “I am not supposed to tell anyone my secret. I was given the strictest instructions by my Guardian and you know how he likes to be obeyed.”

  “Then you should not tell me and I’ll keep my secret to myself.”

  Now with a big smile, “Yes my aunt and I would love to join you for dinner on Saturday.”

  “Good, back to business. We have essentially finished the post-closing review and Robin has started drafting our report. Dieter was called and he confirmed he will be here tomorrow morning to approve a draft and after he does we will deliver copies to all the parties to the purchase and sale agreement and their lawyers. Can you be here about nine tomorrow morning to take a first look at the draft before Dieter gets here? It will be a short straight forward document. There is only the real estate sale and little else to report.”

  “My aunt and I will be here at nine.” Then trying to sound a little cross, “Now if you insist on keeping your secret, we will go back downstairs and try to get some work done.”

  “I am sorry but …,” holding my hands out palms up, “It’s not possible now. Remind me Saturday night. I think it would be a nice idea to have dinner where we first met. They can give us one of those nice private round corner tables with a banquet on two sides. Should I pick you up or would your aunt feel uncomfortable in my little car?”

  “I think she will feel safer in my car particularly at night. Is nine a good time? We will meet you there and I will have my secretary make a reservation.”

  “Nine is good. See you in the morning.”

  “See you at nine sharp tomorrow morning. I’m looking forward to a romantic evening Saturday … just the three of us alone together … in a crowded restaurant.”

  “What can I say, you and I are not making the rules. We are just trying to keep everybody happy.”

  Waving goodbye as she held the door for her aunt, “Complicated, very complicated.”

  Watching them leave I remembered when Shelly and I just got married. Few formalities and fewer delays. Maybe our start was too easy, too free of commitments and responsibilities. If there were would the outcome have been different, would there have been time to realize romance didn’t always translate into a good marriage? Before I had no answers to help avoid the same happening again. Maybe I was beginning to find them. I knew one thing was different, Alana was not Shelly and to be frank with myself, we were getting married because Alana knew more about what she wanted and I simply wanted her.

  Sitting alone in the empty office I suddenly realized it was the best way. Alana was the captain of our little ship and she would pilot our way around and through the uncertainties always present in the future. The realization warmed me just as stepping out from the cool shade into the bright sun melted away unhappiness and worry. This marriage would succeed. Alana would make sure of it.

  The next morning, I read the Post-Closing report Robin had worked on late into the night. She had done her usual good job and later Alana and Dieter both agreed it should be issued to the seller’s side. By the end of the day signed originals were being delivered by motoboys and international overnight delivery companies. The delivery of our letter under the contract of sale set the date of the final settlement of the purchase price and the payment of required adjustments. In ten days the process would be complete and we would have completed our engagement in Brazil.

  “Robin, please draft the final bill to Dieter.”

  “I certainly will boss. I’ve already ordered some boxes to pack up the deal files so you can ship them back to England or New York, whichever you want. Speaking of New York, have you decided on airline tickets.”

  “Yes, New York will do for me. I have to clean out my flat and ship some of the things back to England and give the rest to charity.”

  “Then we’ll be on the same plane.”

  “Are you going to break up your place?”

  “Not yet, I want to look at land in Arizona and New Mexico before I make up my mind.”

  “What about work? You are much too young to retire and being a farmer would bore you to death.”

  “Maybe, maybe not.”

  “Your half will be waiting for you.”

  “I know how to reach you if I’m interested. But if I were you, I wouldn’t wait around waiting a call. Will Alana be going to New York? You were going to pick out a ring together.”

  “I don’t know. The General has attached his eighty-year-old sister to Alana for the next several months. It’s some kind of ancient virginity ritual.”

  “Forgive me but I think it’s a bit late for that. She doesn’t strike me as a meek blushing virgin.”

  “I think he knows that but rituals are rituals and sometimes they cannot be easily brushed aside. Alana wanted his blessing and I guess it is part of the price.”

  “What about the ring? You planned on going to Tiffany’s”

  “I took care of it here. It should be delivered tomorrow afternoon.”

  “You don’t sound so sure. Is it from a reputable jeweler?”

  “Yes, it’s just I thought it would take longer to make. Its unique and is all custom work. That’s what I was doing Monday morning.”

  “… and you expect it Wednesday?”

  “That was the promise. Donã Aranni took me to her jeweler and I got the impression he had been given his marching orders before we got there.”

  “Shit, I wouldn’t like to be in his shoes. He messes up and he could have his lights put out.”

  “I don’t think he was worried. A classic German who was very secure in his own skin.”

  “I would hope so. Remember where we are, he could be one of ‘the’ boys.”

  “I don’t think so. No mustache. Question, you said you were going to pack up the files, what about leaving them here. Remember we are licensed in London and Vienna and I’m sure we could get licensed here also. When Juan Batista said we could use these offices he said it was for as long as we wanted and without rent. I could check with him to be sure it meant beyond this deal.”

  “Yeah, I know but I think it would be safer to have these deal records buried someplace other than Brazil. Who knows what could happen or when we might be forced to defend our work. Sure, these are super offices, quiet and comfy with great shopping just down the street but I wouldn’t want to leave anything sensitive when we’re not here. You know the old expression ‘shit happens’.”

  “I have heard it before. So, you are worried about defending us and you like the offices.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up. I was a partner during this piece of work so my butt is just as exposed as yours if something blows up. As for the offices, move them somewhere else and I’d like them a hell of a lot better.”

  “… maybe a few blocks closer to the shopping mall and you are still a partner. I haven’t received your resignation letter.”

  “Yeah and I never signed a partnership agreement either. Don’t try to be funny, you weren’t designed for it.”

  “Why don’t you start buttoning up. I’d like to go back to my place. José will drop you at
the Maksoud and then take me down the hill.”

  “A few laps in the swimming pool sounds good to me.”

  “You want to meet for dinner tonight?”

  “Sure but why don’t you come to the hotel. I feel like the salad bar. It’s the best around and I’m going to miss it when I leave. How about eight?”

  “Fine, eight at the Maksoud. I’ll walk up Haddock Lobo and down Paulista. At seven-thirty there will be plenty of people on the street and the routine Police patrols.”

  “Do yourself a favor and have José drive you. He can have dinner in the bar out front while he’s waiting.”

  “Don’t worry, if we finish late I’ll take a taxi back.”

  “You forget too damned fast but have it your way.”

  “The deal is over and our side won. We have nothing to worry about.”

  “Sure and I’m a slinky blonde movie star.”

  “I am not sure about blonde though you certainly looked like a movie star the other night and my vote was seconded by all the men outside the Maksoud when we picked you up.”

  “Just Alana’s good job with the packaging. So good, she even had me convinced until I found just me inside when I took it all off later.”

  “What is wrong about that.”

  “Not a damned thing my friend, not a damned thing at all.”

  Chapter 35

  The Maksoud’s cavernous lobby was surprisingly quiet for a weekday night and it took me no time at all to spot Robin in front of H Stern’s lobby shop window fully absorbed in pointing to a gold necklace set with several quite respectable diamonds so the clerk could take it out of the showcase for her. I waited until she went into the shop and a few moments later quietly followed her.

  “Yes, it looks beautiful on you. Just the right touch to brighten an outfit.”

  “I don’t know, how much is it?”

  “Its price is quite modest. Is it for export?”

  “Yes, I’ll take it to the United States when I leave.”

  “Even better, I will remove the VAT tax and the price will be more than fifteen percent less.”

  “How much net?”

  The clerk’s long fingernails were tapping on calculator keys, “I will round off the price down for you. Without the tax it is five thousand two hundred US Dollars.”

  “Is that the best you can do?”

  “I think so but let me call my manager.”

  “Robin was intent on listening to the clerk on the phone. I imagined she was trying to piece together the Portuguese.”

  “My manager says it has been a slow day. Bad for the store but good for you. She says we will accept four thousand seven hundred fifty US Dollars. Is it good?”

  I stepped forward and put my American Express Card on the counter, “She will take it.”

  “What the hell are you doing here? Damn, I can pay for my own things.”

  “I’m sure you can but it’s not the same as getting a gift.”

  “Yah, you’re right. Gifts always have strings attached.”

  “Don’t be like that.” And to the clerk, “Wrap it up for her please. She can use a little brightening up and some jewelry as well. We will pick it up after dinner in about an hour. You will still be open?”

  “Oh yes, we close at ten.”

  I signed the credit card receipt, took hold of Robin’s arm and headed for the lobby door, “Still up for salad, I’m really hungry?”

  Pulling her arm away, “Salads fine. Keep it up and you’ll be eating crow.”

  “Ease off please. We just made a lot of money so let me spend a little of it. There are no strings other than I want you to enjoy the gift.”

  “Well it’s not as grand as the general’s gift so I’ll have to assume it’s most likely just an innocent gesture. Thank you.”

  “You are welcome. It could be that or I’m not as rich as he is. I would not like to talk business tonight please. Business also includes our unresolved situation also.”

  “Then what’s on the agenda?”

  I asked the head waiter to seat us near the fountain, “Wait until we sit down. There should be less chance we will be overheard.”

  Robin put on a very displeased look, “Oh … that kind of stuff.”

  “Do you want to get some food first or do you want to order some wine and get the topic out of the way?”

  “Let’s get some salads. I listen better chewing and I want my head clear.”

  Fifteen minutes later with plates piled with green salad, Russian salad, sliced fresh tropical fruit, potato salad, smoked fish and sliced smoked meats I started explaining the contents of an email I received from my New York lawyer regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission and Lazer.

  “What do you mean, an informal invitation?”

  “The Commission staff would like us to call and make an appointment with them when we return to the States. Naturally they want to talk about Lazer.”

  “What if we don’t bother to call?”

  “They will know we entered the US almost as soon as we clear immigration. If we do not call in a reasonable amount of time I assume they will call the lawyer again and remind him of the invitation. They will probably make some sort of veiled threat about a subpoena.”

  “Sounds like they’re either serious or spoiled.”

  “Most likely both. Personally I see no reason not to call them. We both have signed confidentiality agreements as part of our settlement with Lazer so there is very little we can say.”

  “I’m sure they won’t let go of us so easily.”

  “Most likely not. The lawyer thinks they will have already obtained a court order to set aside the confidentiality agreements before we show up. Confidentiality agreements are usually part of settlement agreements with ex-employees so the Commission staff will be ready.”

  “What do we tell them?”

  “I assume only what we know and not what we just may think. What we saw on the television and what we were told by Lazer including what we should and should not do. In your case you also knew my schedule. That should about cover it. I have a little more to deal with. I dealt with the lawyers, went to Rio to see Skip, phone calls with Sam and of course had a heated meeting with him before he left Brazil.”

  “Shit, you’re right. There isn’t very much I know other than what I saw on the TV and of that really only what Jóse Carlos translated for me. I’m certainly not going to ask you about what else went on particularly knowing the dear sweet SEC will be grilling me.”

  “I think grilling might be a bit of an overstatement. The lawyer said it was very clear you and I are not their targets. Their real interest is in what Lazer and Sam knew, when they knew it and what should have been disclosed to shareholders particularly since Sam had publicly said a lot in the past about how important the BrasTel deal was to Lazer.”

  “They’re planning to fry his ass with his own hype.”

  “I’m not sure the Commission would put it just that way.”

  “The result will be the same. You and I said nothing in public about the deal under instruction from Lazer in either the US or Brazil. Everything we knew including the shooting of the Italian competitors was reported upstream to Lazer in the weekly reports or by phone for them to deal with. Should I keep copies of the weekly reports?”

  “If you wrote them on your own laptop leave them there. The SEC has informed us they want to speak to us so we should not be erasing anything. If the only copies other than those in New York are in Brazil in Lazer’s files or on its computers, then, we no longer have access to and cannot produce them. Remember we were simply good soldiers down in the trenches and it was appropriately left to the Lazer corporate staff to be sure what needed to be said publicly was said. We did our job as we were instructed.”

  “Sounds like the damned truth. Why don’t I feel better?”

  “You should feel comfortable we did the right thing. As I said, we did our job and left the distribution of information, if any, to Sam and his staff.
”

  “It sounds really simple when you put it that way … maybe too simple.”

  “No, it is really that simple. We were thousands of miles from the US without current US newspapers or news broadcasting routinely available to us. What US news we did receive was about internationally important things. Things that were usually political or bi-laterally important. Our ‘keep it secret’ mission in Brazil to buy a company was far below the radar until the Skip situation and that we reported to New York immediately as things started unfolding on the TV.”

  “All that said, I’m still nervous.”

  “You are supposed to be nervous. The SEC has spent thousands of hours and who knows how much money to build its reputation as tough guys. They will appreciate your nerves and take them as a sign you are being truthful.”

  “I always thought nervous people were liars.”

  “You are a victim of US popular culture, movies and TV shows. People with clear consciences are always worried that they overlooked something. I’m going to get some meat and vegetables, you coming.”

  “Sure, beats eating my heart out about the damned regulators.”

  At nine-thirty I said good night and headed out to walk home. I hadn’t taken two steps into the hotel driveway when a hand gripped my shoulder, “Please Senhor Matthews, your motorista is coming onto the driveway. It is now dark and it is better to go in your auto.”

  I started to tell him I wanted to walk but looking up into his stern face I hesitated. I could hear Alana telling me it was their job to worry about me and not mine to worry about them and just nodded capitulation. Looking at it pragmatically he was just trying to have me do the safer thing.

  Thursday started with my only neighbors on the floor having a very loud argument from a little after six. What little Portuguese I could piece together the wife had been out all night and her much older husband did not like it. She was very vocal about her dislike of sitting in the house every night like an old woman waiting for death. One of them, probably her, began throwing things that smashed against the walls until the apartment door slammed and the husband, muttering loudly, marched across the hall past my front door to escape down the stairway. A half hour later I followed him out but, following my usual routine I turned downhill toward the newspaper store and breakfast. Yes, I noticed the tall heavy set man in a dark suit following behind although his presence seemed less bothersome than it had been.