Buying Brazil (Buying Brazil Trilogy Book 1)

by Arthur Rawl

  “You have the two men. What did they say?”

  “They refused to say anything at all even under the most intense questioning. We found typical Russian organized crime ceremonial tattoos on their bodies and believed they indicate the two were hired assassins.”

  “Were …?”

  “Yes, the immediate threat to you has been terminated. That is all I know right now. We are questioning the BrasTel people who are or were guarding your building. They are all retired members of the Army’s Special Security Service and are trained observers so perhaps we will learn something that leads us to the photographer.”

  Robin pushed the photograph back to the General, “What are we supposed to do General?”

  “Rely on your security and be vigilant. Fortunately, Sra. Alana purchased two tickets on your flight that she and my sister will not use. They are now assigned to your principal BrasTel security agents who will continue to organize your protection. They know your habits well and will anticipate what needs to be done.”

  I put up my hand stopping Robin’s answer, “It is del Eccio, correct?”

  “We think so and believe the best answer will be eliminating the problem at its root. I have asked certain of our European friends to collect information for me. It may take a little time but I am confident of the outcome. Now you must go to your airplane. The airport authority will be unhappy if they have another late departure against their record.” He stood, “I particularly look forward to your return in a month. Both of you. There is new work that needs your attention. Travel safely, good evening.”

  Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away while the envelope was refilled and we were directed to a door on the opposite wall. When the door closed behind us we were beyond the passenger security barrier well down the corridor to the departure gates. Our plane’s departure had not been announced but our tickets were promptly collected, our boarding passes issued and, after surrendering our BrasTel beepers and security cellphones to the BrasTel agent who would remain behind, we four were immediately lead aboard taking all our old and new problems, risks, uncertainties and worries along into the future.

  THEIR STORY CONTINUES

  Epilogue

  Their story does not end here but continues on, freshly tailored but filled with threads from the past. Yes, things are different in Brazil, complex and complicated as its history and its people. Its national motto “Order and Progress” in many ways applies to its past but in many more remains a goal for the future. One thing is sure, its millions of people have not been homogenized into a monolithic mass moving in a single direction. Nor have Alana, Carl, Robin or General Aranni. Each have their hopes for the future however their way forward is entangled in the threads from the past casting doubt and danger in their paths.

  Tall handsome Carleton Matthews, a titled Englishman ruled by traditional values, has learned some things about Brazil although he is yet to fully understand their potential impact on him, his goals and his future. In Brazil, known for sensuality and love he has found both in his relationship with Alana Luz. Alana, the brilliant adopted daughter of an aging, politically astute despot who pushed aside government and established military rule. Can Carleton’s relationship last particularly because Alana is the anointed heir to the General’s defacto position as Brazil’s most powerful, feared and wealthiest puppet master whose invisible web stretches beyond its borders.

  Carleton leaves Brazil unwittingly caught in the General’s web. The target for assassination by an old and still powerful Italian noble family he knows he is at risk and thinks he knows why. However, what he is unaware of and what may represent the greatest threat to him is the General’s way of doing business and the General’s complete disregard for the welfare for those unfortunate enough to cross his path. Perhaps naively Carleton believed the General when he said he would relieve the Italian pressure. Only time will tell.

  Robin Stephens, an American and long-time business associate and now Carleton’s partner in their embryonic merchant banking venture sees through different eyes. Her eyes see the world much differently because of her less than middle class upbringing. To her the General’s and perhaps Alana’s smooth, caring manners are no more than a veneer that can be instantly stripped away when ‘necessary’ decisions must be taken and executed. Could this be the reason Robin appears unwilling to continue in her partnership with Carleton? What has she seen or sensed? Why should she take the risk? Over the years she has worked with Carleton she has become rich, even wealthy by most people’s measure. There has to be a limit to loyalty even for Robin. Has Brazil defined that limit for her?

  Carleton and Robin are flying to New York towards the vindictive hatred-filled Sam Watson. Seething hatred ignited by the General’s carefully scripted misuse of Sam’s son and immeasurable damage done to Sam’s reputation in order to rob him of the prized acquisition, BrasTel. Sam had sent Carleton and Robin to Brazil to complete the critically important BrasTel acquisition for him. True, but Carleton changed sides when Sam treated him as a menial trying to shift the blame for the acquisition’s failure from himself and his backchannel maneuvering to Carl. Sam is not the kind to forgive and forget. With Carleton closer at hand, will Sam have his revenge?

  And of course, there is tall, strikingly beautiful Alana. She and Carleton were engaged to be married not long ago. In order to obtain her adoptive father’s blessing for their marriage, mature and worldly Alana had to agree to participate in a ritual reserved for virginal brides in centuries past. For ninety days they would endure the company of a chaperone to keep her physically apart from her intended until after the marriage. Alana seemingly wanted to leave for New York with Robin and Carleton but it didn’t happen because of the need to have the General’s younger sister replace his older sister in the duty of protecting the family honor. A troubling situation for Carleton and his beloved Alana. Or was it? Alana told Carleton about the future the General has prepared her for. Could this one or two day delay grow through design to an extended separation because of the General’s concern for the future he had spent years building? Only time will tell us where truth is. Is Alana the General’s daughter and heir, Carleton’s willing wife or both? Where will her heart move her, how could anyone know?

  Carleton Matthews, Lord Greenbrook, his thoughts dominated by his beloved Alana is flying north without her into a future filled with greater uncertainty than his past. Together we will watch their future unfold. Thank you for reading the beginning of their story in ‘Buying Brazil’. I look forward to sharing their future with you.

  Arthur J Rawl

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  The author has thirty-five years of international experience in business and finance and has lived the complexities and complications that surround a deal and worked with hundreds of senior executives who all knew they were smarter, cleverer and more resourceful than the ‘the other guy’. He has written and published many articles in technical journals and now with ‘Buying Brazil’ he has demonstrated an unparalleled ability to migrate these assets into the world of fiction weaving a story as real as today’s headlines.