His Own Man by Edgard Telles Ribeiro

Author:Edgard Telles Ribeiro [Ribeiro, Edgard Telles]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 978-1-59051-699-7
Publisher: Other Press
Published: 2014-09-22T16:00:00+00:00

29

Max didn’t entertain any illusions in reviewing the tenor of that lunch, although he’d appreciated the cordial atmosphere in which it had taken place. He sensed that a fatal rivalry would one day come between him and Carlos Câmara — for they were too similar to withstand such a secretive coexistence. They would, of course, do everything to carry out the mission entrusted to them. But one of the two would not survive the experience. It just remained to be seen which.

A few days after their lunch at the French restaurant, an important social event would bring the two men together again. This was when the Cunard ocean liner Aurora finally reached the Uruguayan coastline and then docked a few hours later at Montevideo harbor — with the stately pace reserved for the last transatlantic vessels of its kind.

The event, much anticipated by the city’s Brazilian community as well as by local society, warranted the undivided attention of the embassy — whose members showed up in full force for the arrival ceremony. While the imposing ship was still some distance from the pier, the ambassador and his wife waved from the first-class deck to their colleagues clustered below, some of whom fluttered white handkerchiefs in response.

The new boss, who sported a finely styled mustache, was the consummate grand seigneur, a nobleman of the old guard, as his predecessor had informed Max previously. Tall and stout, he came well packaged in a navy blue suit, light-colored shirt, and pastel tie, details welcomed as novelties — given how accustomed all had become to the somber hues of the former boss. He immediately acted gallantly toward the ladies, especially the older ones, who were quite taken with him, not realizing that although his flattering words were directed at them, his eyes were aimed at the younger women, who stirred in him feelings of another kind and intensity.

Marina, who was seventh months pregnant, had received special attention from the ambassador’s wife, who had shown her great kindness and offered the residence for a baby shower on whatever date would be convenient for her — “and the baby.” At one point, while still managing to offer a friendly word or two to people coming to greet her, she had a side conversation with the mother-to-be. “Do you play bridge, my child?” she asked. “No? What a shame. Bridge comes in very handy in our world.” She let out another sigh, deeper and more prolonged, and offered some advice: “Take up the game, my dear, you’ll enjoy it.” The older woman had then smiled enigmatically and retreated into thought, before returning with, “Marriages all change sooner or later, but the cards never lie.” And then came the pearl of wisdom: “The king of spades was always there for me.”

Charmed, Marina figured out then and there what many would take months, even years, to confirm: the ambassador’s wife had a screw loose. But it was small enough to make her eccentric, at most, and often erratic. Overall,

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