Page 48 of The Voice of Wild Places
Senhor Galvão scoffed.“Open minded?Try common sense.I’ve heard this before, but it all ends the same.I cared for the Colonel, truly, but this is …” He waved a hand through the air.“Insanity.The meaning is the same in English, is it not?”
Watt reached into his pocket and took out the letter he’d been tasked with delivering in person.The reason they had to come here.“Here, this will explain everything.”He passed over the envelope addressed to Senhor Galvão in Nina’s writing, and watched as the man opened it right there at the table.It had been too important, she said, to risk in the mail.
Senhor Galvão read the letter.And he read it again.Watt watched as the man’s eyes flicked across the paper from top to bottom, then up again.Cornelius threw him a curious look, but said nothing.Watt had previously told Cornelius the letter was a personal matter he couldn’t discuss, but that was a lie.And Watt knew he’d made a mistake in not telling him the truth when Senhor Galvão lifted his head and fixed his gaze on Cornelius.
But how could Watt have told him the truth, when he didn’t believe it?He didn’t believe that Cornelius was—
“You are the one he was hoping for, I think.”
Cornelius’ brow raised and he glanced at Watt, who had long since burst into flames.Cornelius turned his attention back to Senhor Galvão and said, “Excuse me?”
Senhor Galvão shook his head minutely and said, “The Colonel was a smart man, and a determined one.He wanted to go and see that stone tower and the waterfall the day Roberto told him about it.The perfect location, he said.And now—”
“Mrs.Fawcett said it was important to him, this place.She said it was important for the quest,” Watt said, emphasizing the second half of his sentiment.Cornelius looked at him askance, and Watt cursed internally.He’d hoped this wouldn’t come up, but damn it.There was no point in skirting around it now, he’d just have to explain later.Severino watched the proceedings carefully, interest piqued.
Senhor Galvão nodded, and he stared at Cornelius anew.He said, “There is something different about you.”He tapped the table with his finger, like he was marking the spot on a map.“I think you shall find the truth.”
Cornelius’ lip twitched, and Watt expected this was the moment he’d finally explode.He simply said, “Thank you.”
Senhor Galvão considered Severino next, and their eyes locked for several moments before he spoke.“You work with Joaquim da Silva, yes?”
Severino nodded.“Yes, I do.”
“What do you make of his latest project?”Senhor Galvão asked.“Do you think that could be the city the Colonel was looking for?”
Severino parsed his thoughts before answering in a slow and measured fashion.“There is much to be learned in the heart of Brazil, it is true many ancient peoples lived in this area.I can not say if it is the place Fawcett was looking for, but that does not make it any less significant.”Severino picked up his drink, cachaca,a dark and sweet liquor reminiscent of rum which they all had been served.Watt noted that Cornelius hadn’t touched his, though.To be more correct, he’d been playing with his glass, turning it and moving it around, but he hadn’t taken a sip.
“And what are you doing, Senhor Antunes?”Senhor Galvão gestured between Watt and Cornelius, ignoring Antônio entirely.“Do you plan on going with them and abandoning your team?”
Severino stilled, but only for a second.He took a sip of his drink, then set it back down.He smiled and said, “I am merely a guide.”
It wasn’t really an answer, but Senhor Galvão smiled in response.An entire unsaid conversation occurred between them, and it didn’t feel like a good one.Cornelius and Watt exchanged a look, but neither said anything.Watt glanced over at Antônio, who watched the proceedings with a mild frown of disinterest.Thankfully, the conversation moved on after that.They drank and smoked, discussing their trip and what they thought of the places they’d been so far.Cornelius asked about the ranch and its origins, and soon they were discussing the cattle industry in Mato Grosso.Which is when Cornelius stirred up trouble.
He said, “There’s quite the smuggling problem in Mato Grosso, isn’t there?Of cattle, I mean.”
Senhor Galvão smiled, an echo of the same one he’d given Severino.Malignant and vague.He said, “You are a smart man, aren’t you?”
“No.Too curious for my own good.One must be aware of the snakes residing in the pit before jumping in, after all.Besides, it’s not like the ranchers have much choice, do they?Not even America deals in taxes and tariffs this outrageous.”He scoffed and shook his head, like the situation truly pained him.
Senhor Galvão studied him before speaking.Amicably, he said, “Some do what they must to survive, but it gives the rest of us a bad name.”
“I’m sure they do,” Cornelius said.
When they turned in for the night, Watt felt like he’d been swimming in lead.They laid out their bedrolls on the floor of the main space, the bedroom had two rickety cots that no one wanted to claim.Watt laid between Cornelius and Severino, while Antônio slept on the other side of Severino.Cornelius and Antônio fell asleep quickly, but Severino did not.He hardly moved, his body tense and spine rigid.
Watt asked, “Are you alright, Severino?”
Severino rolled over and stared at Watt.He whispered, “I think we should leave at first light.”
Watt chewed on the inside of his bottom lip, pondering his words and their evening.There had been something distinctly off about the whole affair.While Senhor Galvão was an older man, he seemed perfectly capable.Why hadn’t he gone looking for Fawcett if they truly had been such good friends?He definitely seemed to know more than he was letting on, and there was that glint in his eye that Watt had seen too many times before.
Eventually Watt said, “I trust your judgment.”
Severino sighed.“If only you did sooner.”
Brave Enough
May17th,1930
