Jean-Marie Blas De Robles - Where Tigers Are at Home

“If one day I need you … I mean, if I call for help, from the depths of … You’ll be there?”

Eléazard took this unusual request with the seriousness it deserved. He gave Loredana’s hand a squeeze to let her know he would answer her call, whatever happened. Overjoyed to finally see her with her defenses down, he didn’t realize that that was the very moment when she needed him. Perhaps it would have taken no more than that flash of understanding to keep her there, to stop her from turning those moments of silence on the planks of the landing stage into a farewell. Perhaps she wouldn’t have changed her decision, but how can one know? He was afraid of offending her if he took her in his arms, afraid of appearing indiscreet if he asked about the reason for her sadness, afraid of irritating her if he told her that her anxieties were not worth the bother and that life was there and he loved her.

Together they waited for night to fall over the sea. Then she felt cold, because of the drizzle, and said she wanted to go back. Hand in hand they walked toward the square. Neither of them said a word, they were so choked with emotion and sure they would burst out sobbing. As they parted, she kissed him on the lips; Eléazard watched her go to the hotel without for a moment suspecting that they would never see each other again.

Going up the steps to the Palacio Estadual, Colonel José Moreira noted the sheepish expressions of the porters who stood at attention to salute him. Everyone knew already … Rats leaving the sinking ship! But surely they didn’t think he was going to let them go ahead without taking countermeasures. Quick enough when asking for handouts, but when it came to defending their boss, there was no one there … OK, that was the way the game was played, as he knew better than anyone. I’m going to show them, he told himself as he forced himself to smile at all and sundry, that people don’t defy me and get away with it. When he entered his office, briefcase under his arm, even Anna was favored with a pat on the rump. Good thing he hadn’t waited until he got to the palace to read the papers! At least he’d been alone when he’d received the shock, in the rear of his car, with no need to put a bold face on it for these hyenas. He’d also had enough time to work out a strategy for a counterattack. Having said that, the bastards who’d compiled the dossier against him had done an excellent job. Certain details were only known to a very limited number of people, they couldn’t have come out without collusion from someone close to him. You could never be too cautious … One day the guy who’d done this to him would be on his knees, begging for mercy.

“The press review is on your desk, sir,” his secretary said, trying to sound businesslike but unable to restrain a note of satisfaction. “The minister of justice, Edson Barbosa, Jr., called and asked you to call back as a matter of urgency. There’s also a news team from TV Globo asking for an interview. I’ve put the journalist’s card in your diary.”

“Thanks, Anna,” he said, placing both hands flat on his desk. “Cancel all my meetings for this morning, I don’t want to see anyone. Tell Jodinha and Santos to come here as soon as they arrive.”

“They’re already here, Governor.”

“Good.” Moreira looked at his watch, yes, even those two were in early today. “I’ll see them at ten, I’ve a few telephone calls to make and I don’t want to be disturbed before then. For anything that doesn’t concern merely administrative matters — you see what I mean, don’t you? — you’ll steer them toward the press secretary.”

“What shall I say to the television people?”

Moreira’s first impulse was to send them away, but then he thought it would be a good idea to issue an official denial of the accusations. “Eleven o’clock, after the meeting. They can set up in the meeting room now if that suits them.”

The governor waited until she had closed the door before he dialed the first number, that of the state’s Department of Political and Social Order. “Is that Superintendent Frazão? Moreira da Rocha here … Yes, Superintendent, yes … I was one of the last to hear about it and I’m not very happy about that. How could such a blunder have been made? You have good reason to make yourself agreeable to me, if I remember rightly … No, no excuses, it’s facts I want, Superintendent, facts! Who’s responsible for this fucking mess?… What was that? Waldemar de Oliveira …” He noted the name down to remind himself. “Where’s he been all the time? OK, OK, I understand … And my lawyer, Wagner Cascudo?… But what do you expect him to say, for God’s sake? He’s done nothing wrong … How much has bail been set at? Two hundred thousand?… Yes, I’m listening … I’ll do the necessary … But of course I’m counting on you, Superintendent, and it’s in your own interest to tell me precisely what happens … I made you and I can unmake you whenever it suits me. Just remember that, Franzão.”

He slammed the receiver down and lit a cigarette. Whoever had set this up hadn’t pulled his punches. And he’d been so quick, for Christ’s sake! It was hard to believe … He had to get Wagner out of prison before the stupid bugger turned informer …

He called Vicente Bilunquinha, a young lawyer who owed him, amongst other little sweeteners, his membership in the Lions Club. “Good morning … Yes, a nice election stunt, they’re pulling out all the stops this time but they won’t get away with it, you’ll see … But while we’re on the subject, could you attend to our friend Wagner Cascudo? You’d be doing me a great service. I have complete confidence in you, you know that … Yes … I’ll send you the amount for bail by special courier … Exactly. Call me back as soon as he’s out and keep him snug. Be sure to tell him I’ll see to everything, he needn’t worry … A thousand thanks, Vivente, I’ll pay you back for this … With pleasure, of course. I’ll discuss it with my wife and get back to you … Ciao , Vicente, ciao. Ciao . To your wife as well, ciao …”

He’d hardly replaced the receiver when he started as the phone rang:

“Moreira here. Who’s that? Oh, it’s you, Edson … I was just about to call you … I know, yes, I know, but they’ve nothing they can use against me. It’s our political opponents, they’re just bluffing. It’ll all die down in a few days.… Don’t worry, I tell you, I’ve got things well in hand. I’m going to make a statement on Globo in an hour or so, just to clarify matters … There’s nothing in it, I assure you. It’s a complete fabrication. You know me, I wouldn’t do something like that … The speculation? That does exist, of course, Edson … As far as I’m aware we haven’t made a law against making a profit yet. On that point, forgive me for reminding you, but you’re hardly in a position to lecture others … That’s not what I meant, Edson, but if anyone comes looking for trouble, they’ll get it. Neither you, nor I, nor the Party stand to gain anything from all this fuss. Let me remind you that the elections take place in three weeks’ time, so I’d be grateful if you could have a look into this business. It’s in all our interest, as you very well know … Yes … De Oliveira, Waldemar de Oliveira … A little shit-stirrer from Santa Inês. I don’t know how he did it, but he’s managed to bypass all my officials here … That would be perfect, Edson. I’m delighted we speak the same language … OK, I’ll see to it and I’ll keep you up to date …”

Moreira threw himself back in his chair and exhaled slowly. A smile on his lips, he took deep breaths, like an athlete after a race. He’d got out of that nicely, and no mistake! If the minister of justice himself was going to look into the question then that Oliveira wasn’t going to have much of a future … He’d find himself in Manaus in no time at all! The counteroffensive had started, all that was left was to close off his links to Wagner and put any compromising documents in a safe place.… There was nothing sensitive about the resort project in itself. The reason he’d kept it secret so far was merely a matter of expedience. First and foremost he had to control the media; he was going to have to grease quite a few palms, but he could use the secret funds put aside for that very purpose. A couple of favorable editorials, get that prosecutor involved in a juicy sex scandal — he’d have to speak to Santos and Jodinha, surely his advisers could find some druggie to claim he shagged little boys — and by the time the guy had managed to extricate himself from the tissue of lies he’d be back in the saddle for another term … The governor felt he was growing claws. For the first time that morning he was optimistic about the future again.