Different Circles

“It is a rather expensive hobby, I understand,” said Nicolas, clear disapproval in his tone.

“I was just about to point that out,” Jill said, delighted. “What with all the equipment, travel, lodging, potential medical expenses from injury.”

“Not to mention missed productivity if one should become injured and unable to perform one’s customary duties,” added Nicolas.

“Exactly!” said Jill.

Eddie shook his head and gave a little roll of the eyes. “Accountants,” he said sadly. “It seems they are the same no matter what their nationality.”

Jake smiled. “I was just about to point that out,” he said.

They continued their trip around the plane—Jake pausing to caress the hammerhead wings at the nose—and then finally came to the door on the left side, just behind the cockpit area. Señor Gomez was not entirely sure how to open the thing, so Sebastian stepped forward and performed the action for him. A small stairway was folded down from the bottom of the door and Jake stepped inside, followed by Eddie. Everyone else stayed outside in the hangar.

It was dark in the interior, the air a little musty, but Jake could plainly see the setup. It was very similar to the aircraft he had ridden in with Austin on the trip from Phoenix to Denver, the standard business-transport arrangement. There were six luxurious seats behind the cockpit, the first two facing forward, the second two facing aft, the third two facing forward. Between the second and third sets, wooden tables could be pulled out from the walls. Behind the third set of seats was a sink and a small bar. Behind that were three more seats, all facing sideways, two on the left side, one on the right. Immediately behind that was a small door that led into the tiny bathroom. There was no cockpit door installed, so it would be easy for the pilot of the aircraft to converse with the passengers, especially those immediately behind the cockpit. The lights were all recessed. The interior color was a soft beige that was pleasant on the eyes. Like the one he had flown on before, the cockpit was equipped with computerized digital instruments with analog backups and had the Garmin integrated navigation package.

“What do you think?” asked Eddie after Jake finished the tour of the interior.

“I like it,” he told the businessman. “In fact, I love it. I want it.”

“Very good,” Eddie said, pleased. “I like a man who goes after what he wants.”

“It’s the only way to live life,” Jake replied, still looking into the cockpit and envisioning himself in that left hand seat.

“Well then,” Eddie said, “I understand that you brought your mechanic with you to examine the maintenance records and the aircraft itself, correct?”

“Yes,” Jake said. “That’s correct.”

“Well then, how about we let he and Samuel get to that? And I’m sure Sebastian will be helpful to their cause as well.”

“Sounds good,” Jake said, heading to the doorway.

“And I’m sure that Nicolas and Señorita Yamashito have their own things to discuss,” Eddie said, following behind. “We have already agreed upon a price for the aircraft, but they must start discussing things like inspections and transfer of funds and escrow accounts and all of those things that accountants like to go on about.”

“Yes,” Jake said, stepping back out into the hangar. “I’m sure they do.”

“That is likely to take a few hours, correct?” Eddie asked, casting his gaze on Jill and Nick, who were already putting their heads together over in the corner.

“At least,” Jake agreed.

“Well then, since you and I seem to be without much to do until that time, how about we pop out for a drink or two?”

“Pop out ... for a drink?” Jake asked softly.

“Right!” Eddie said. “There’s a wonderful bar just a few miles from here. I would so love to enjoy a few local brews in the company of one of the world’s most famous musicians.”

“Uh ... well...” Jake said hesitantly, not at all comfortable with this idea. This was, after all, Colombia, a country known for political kidnappings and the ransoming of the victims of this crime. And he was being invited to climb into a car alone with a man who may or may not be a Colombian drug lord.

“Is there a problem with this, Jake?” Eddie asked, his eyes probing into Jake’s.

“Uh ... well ... not really, it’s just that ... well ... I am an American and this is not America ... and I’m not sure how things work and all...”

“I assure you,” Eddie said, “you are perfectly safe in my company.”

“I’m sure I am,” Jake said, “but I don’t really have much of your money on me. Only a couple thousand pesos apart from what I have to pay the limo driver.”

“The drinks will be on me,” Eddie promised. “I insist upon it.”