Brodie handed her the binoculars and they both looked out through the side windows at the right bank of the unnamed river as Collins kept the Cessna in a tight turn. He asked, “You folks looking for something in particular?”
Brodie replied, “Wouldn’t mind seeing a real native village.”
“Well, they’d be hard to spot from up here.”
“Right.” So would Mercer’s camp. “Maybe we’ll come across a village while we’re bird-watching. Are the natives friendly?”
“Well… it’s situational.”
“Give me a situation.”
“Okay. They used to depend a lot on tourism for a living, but tourism is way down, so they’re a little stressed, and some of them have taken to crime.”
“Sounds like Caracas.”
“Yeah… like the whole country. So if you’re in the wilds with a tour group with Pemón guides, you’re okay. But if you’re alone—like you and Mrs. Bowman—and you run into some Pemón in the jungle, they can be a little intimidating.”
“So can I and Mrs. Bowman.”
Captain Collins glanced at his passengers.
Brodie smiled to show he was not really intimidating, and asked, “Do they eat people?”
“They prefer fish.”
“Good. They got blowguns? Poison darts?”
“I don’t know. But I know they have rifles.” He added, “For hunting. Look, the Pemón are nice people, and I don’t want to—”
“Got it. Okay, if we run into Pemón while we’re bird-watching, I’ll let you make the introductions.”
“I’m staying with my aircraft.”
“Don’t say you weren’t invited.”
Taylor called out from the back, “I see what looks like a village along the bank of the river. Three o’clock, low.”
Brodie peered out the side window and saw a long, thatched-roof structure close to the riverbank.
Collins banked the Cessna and took a look through Brodie’s window. He said, “That’s a native fishing platform. It’s on, like, stilts—poles. They store their nets there, hang out, sleep, fish, and maybe have a beer and chew the fat.”
“Sounds like Tennessee.”
Collins laughed, but Magnolia didn’t.
Brodie was waiting for the right moment to tell Captain Collins about their change of plans—but first, a little prep. He asked Collins, “You ever miss the States?”
“Sure. But I enjoy the pilot’s life. Flying to new places.”
“But always returning to Caracas.”
“Yeah… she doesn’t want to leave.”
“It’s got its charms,” Brodie reminded him.
“Actually, it sucks.”
“Right. I saw that.” He added, “You’re a good guy to stay with her in Caracas.”
