Pirate

Their vehicle was waiting out in front, their dark-haired driver, tall and reed-thin, leaned against the front fender — like most youth, absorbed in whatever was on his phone screen. He saw them approaching and hurriedly shoved his phone in his pocket. “Mr. and Mrs. Fargo?”

“We are,” Remi said, figuring he was perhaps eighteen or nineteen. “You must be António Alves?”

His smile broadened. “Thank you for hiring me. You are my first big fare. I won’t disappoint you,” he said in a thick accent, carefully pronouncing each word.

Sam, tipping the bellman who had wheeled their gear out on a cart, looked up at that statement. “I was under the impression that you were an experienced driver.”

“A good driver, yes,” he said as he took the gear from the luggage cart and loaded it into his trunk. “I make this drive all the time, even if you are my first fare to Santos. My cousin, who is concierge, will vouch for me.”

Which explained the recommendation, Remi thought.

António opened the door for her. “Please. Get in and buckle up for safety.”

Sam wasn’t convinced at the young man’s professed driving skills. “You’re sure about the drive to the coast?”

António nodded. “I used to work on my uncle’s fishing boat to earn money for school. Now that I am at university, it’s easier to work in town. But no classes today, so you’re in luck!”

Remi said, “Your cousin did mention that we would need you to stand by — overnight, even — to give us a ride back?”

“Yes. I practice my English on the way and I study while you dive. A win-win, right?”

Remi liked him and his enthusiasm. “Definitely.”

Even Sam seemed to warm to him, asking, “So what’re you studying?”

“This is only my first year, so there is everything. Math and history and science and politics. One day I hope to be a doctor. But that is a long time from now.” And for the remainder of the winding mountain drive, in between pointing out scenic areas of interest, he talked about his school, his seven brothers and sisters, his uncle the fisherman, and his cousin the concierge, who was also putting himself through school because, unlike the rest of their family, he did not inherit a fondness for boating. And before Remi knew it, they’d arrived at the port.

António unloaded their gear that filled his trunk. “Where is it you’re diving?” he asked.

“Out by the southern end of Snake Island.”

His smile faded. “Keep watch. My uncle tells of pirates. What sort of boat have you hired?”

“That,” Sam said, “is a good question. The Golfinho, is all we know.”

António seemed to perk up at the name. “Captain Delgado. My uncle speaks highly of him.”

“Good to hear,” Sam replied. “So how do we get in touch with you when we’re back in port?”

He pointed into town. “My uncle’s house is not that far. I can see the docks from there. It is good it is a weekend and I can stay overnight. When I see the Golfinho return tomorrow night, I will come.” He looked up at the sky and, though there wasn’t a cloud in sight, said, “Let us hope it is before the storm rolls in.”

* * *

Captain Delgado seemed to be the polar opposite of António. In his mid-forties, he was short, stocky, with permanent frown lines across his brow. He and two of his men had been waiting there, watching for them, only approaching after António drove off. “Fargo?”

“Sam and Remi,” Sam replied. “So where’s this vessel of yours?”

“Right there,” Delgado said, pointing toward the end of the closest dock.

Remi was pleased to see a fairly new catamaran research vessel. “That should do nicely.” But he continued past the gleaming forty-eight-foot boat, not stopping until they reached a dilapidated forty-two-foot fishing charter, its faded green hull having seen better days probably decades ago. “That’s the… Golfinho?”

The man grinned, his teeth yellowed from tobacco. “A bit rusty around the edges, but very seaworthy.”

Sam eyed the vessel. “You’re sure about that?”

“A good boat. Fast. Pirates, they leave us alone. No money, right?” He laughed.

Remi and Sam laughed with him, but with less enthusiasm. Remi, recalling António’s warning, asked, “Are there many pirates around here?”

“Some. But we have guns. We protect you.” He nodded to his men to gather the Fargo gear. “If you are ready, we load up your things and get started. We want to be on our way back tomorrow before the rain starts.”

At the second mention of weather, Remi accessed her phone just to make sure the chance of light showers hadn’t been upgraded. The symbol now showed a lightning bolt through it. Even so, it still wasn’t expected to hit until later the next evening. If they didn’t find what they were looking for tomorrow, they’d have to come back after the rain.