He nodded and then handed Jake his passport back. He then flipped through Laura’s in the same manner. “You’ve spent quite a bit of time in South America, Laura.”
“That’s correct,” she said. “I’m a musician. A saxophone player. I was on tour with Bobby Z when he toured the continent.”
“We are aware of who you are,” he told her matter-of-factly. “This is your second visit to Venezuela?”
“Yes,” she said, starting to look a little uncomfortable now.
He turned back to Jake. “What is your purpose for visiting Venezuela?”
Jake pointed at the plane. “We just bought this aircraft in Colombia. We’re taking it back to California. That’s our primary reason. This is our first leg.”
He looked over at the aircraft and then back at Jake. “Not a very lengthy first leg,” he said.
“We have other reasons to be here,” Jake said. “Celia Valdez—you know who she is, right?”
“Yes,” he said as if he had just been asked a blindingly obvious question by a moron. “I know who Celia Valdez is.
“Yeah, I guess that makes sense,” Jake said. “Anyway, Celia is my business partner. She is one of the owners of our record label and we have been friends for years. Laura is her sax player on her tour. They’re both on hiatus currently between the North American and European legs of the tour. Celia is going to meet us here in Caracas. She should be landing in another hour or so and she is going to show us around the place for a day or two. After that, we’re going to fly to Barquisimeto so she can show us her hometown and she can visit her family. After that, she’s going to stay for a week or so, but Laura and I will be continuing on our journey. We’ll be flying to Panama City after Barquisimeto. From there, we’ll go to Guatemala City, then Mexico City, then Cabo San Lucas, then San Diego, then home, staying one night at each stop.”
“I see,” Sanchez said. “That all makes perfect sense. You say that Celia Valdez will be landing here in Caracas in an hour?”
“That’s right,” Jake said. “Continental flight 721 out of Houston. It’s probably coming over Aruba about now.”
“Interesting,” Sanchez said thoughtfully. “Do you have anything to declare?”
Jake shook his head. “Nothing. All we have is what we left Los Angeles with.”
“Except the plane, of course,” Sanchez said.
“Well ... yeah, except that.”
“A plane you purchased from a gentleman named Eduardo Gomez.”
“That’s correct,” Jake said.
“How well do you know
“I’ve only met him once,” Jake said. “That was on my last visit to Colombia, when I went to inspect the plane before I committed to purchase.
“I see,” Sanchez said. “Are you aware of what
“He told me that he was in the import and export business,” Jake said. “That he imports consumer electronics and exports coffee.”
“
“Which is?” Jake asked.
“He is believed to be one of the biggest exporters of
“Is that a fact?”
“It is a strong suspicion backed up by considerable evidence,” Sanchez said. “And that is why we took a particular interest when we saw your flight plan. You see, this aircraft has been flagged for the last two years.”
“Surely you do not suspect that I am in cahoots with
“Now that I have talked to you and your story seems reasonable enough, no,” Sanchez replied. “I sense no deceit from you.”
“Oh ... good,” Jake said, relieved. He was, however, a little disappointed that Sanchez had not implored him to not call him Shirley.
“Nevertheless, we will give your belongings and your airplane a quick onceover, just to be sure.”
Jake waved them in the direction of the plane. “Be my guest,” he offered. After all, it wasn’t like he had much of a choice in the matter.