“Not at all.”
Brodie unbuckled and squeezed between the front seats and into the cockpit.
Collins’ flight bag was on the co-pilot seat, and he said, “You can stow that behind you.”
Brodie picked up the flight bag, which was open, and saw flight charts, a pair of boxer shorts, and what looked like a .357 Magnum revolver.
Collins glanced over and noticed. “Never leave home without it.”
“Right.” Especially if your home is in Caracas. As Brodie placed the bag behind the seat, he also noticed a pair of binoculars that Captain Collins was going to loan him, though Collins didn’t know that yet. As for the .357 Magnum, that would have to be dealt with when Brodie gave Collins a choice of incentives for an unscheduled flight to Bogotá—Glock or dollars.
Brodie sat in the co-pilot seat and buckled in. Collins said, “I’m told you folks are bird-watchers.”
Brodie thought Collins said that as though he didn’t believe it for some reason. The man, despite his flip-flops, was not stupid. “Correct.”
“Most people I fly to the jungle area are hikers. Like, naturalists and adventure travelers. Big-time into photography. I never flew bird-watchers before.”
“Lots of people don’t like to admit they’re bird-watchers.”
“Really?”
“People think we’re weird.”
“I don’t think that.”
“Good.”
Collins stayed quiet, then asked, “Are those bulges in your and your wife’s pockets cameras?”
“No. They’re actually nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistols.”
Collins nodded. “Good that you have them. Bad country where you’re going.”
“Caracas was no treat either.”
“It’s got its charms, Mr. Bowman. You just have to give it a chance.”
Every shithole in the world had its defenders, Brodie thought. Usually white guys with enough money and privilege to avoid the unpleasantness endured by the locals. “You live in Caracas?”
“I was based in Rio, but I met a Venezuelan woman and moved here to be with her.”
“Must be some woman.”
Collins laughed. “She is.” He lowered his voice and said, man-to-man, “You’re doing okay yourself.”
“Thanks.”
“She okay? I got tranquilizers if you need them.”
“She’s fine.” Brodie asked, “Do you have an external satellite phone antenna?”
Collins glanced at him. “I do.” He pointed to a receptacle with a coiled cord on the instrument panel. “You need to make a call?”
“Maybe later. I assume you have a sat phone.”
“I do.” He added, “Sometimes better than the radio to keep in touch with the Company.”
“Right. And to keep in touch with your girlfriend.”
