Bossa Novas, Bikinis, and Bad Ends Read online

  The waiter brought our moqueca, a kind of seafood stew. I took a bite, not expecting it to be that great. Actually, it was so delicious, I beat Mary Louise to a request for the recipe from Natalia.

  “Of course, my love,” she said. “I’ll bring it to your room myself.” She winked at me, and I smiled back at this wicked little singer who loved to make trouble.

  “OK, Hoofers,” Tina said when we had eaten every bite of this marvel, “we’ve got to get back to our rooms and change for our dance tonight. Hope you’re not too full.”

  Gini made a mock groaning noise and said, “Oh, Tina, I’m so full I can’t possibly dance. You’ll have to go on without me.”

  Tina is used to Gini. “That’s all right, Gini,” she said. “We’ll split up your part of our salary for ourselves. You can heave your fat body onto your bed and sleep while we’re dancing.”

  We all laughed. We knew the word fat would send Gini into a sputtering rage. “Who are you calling fat?” she squawked. “I’m skinnier than all of you!”

  We gathered her up and scooped her onto the elevator where she calmed down. I followed her in, and we went upstairs to change into red samba gowns that would show off our hips to best advantage when we danced this fast, sexy dance.

  Moqueca

  For the soup:

  2 lbs. swordfish, cut into large pieces

  3 cloves minced garlic

  4 tbsps. lime juice

  Salt and freshly ground pepper

  2 tbsps. olive oil

  1 cup medium-sized onion, sliced

  ½ yellow pepper, sliced

  ½ red pepper, sliced

  1 tbsp. paprika

  Pinch red pepper flakes

  Salt and pepper, to taste

  2 cups quartered plum tomatoes

  ¼ cup chopped green onion greens

  1 large bunch of chopped cilantro

  1 14-oz. can coconut milk

  For the rice:

  1 tbsp. olive oil

  ½ onion chopped

  1 clove minced garlic

  1 cup white rice

  1 ½ cups boiling water

  1 tsp. salt

  1. Salt and pepper the swordfish pieces and chill them in a bowl with the garlic and lime juice while you make the rice and the soup. Set aside.

  2. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan on medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it’s transparent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

  3. Add the rice and mix with the onion and garlic.

  4. Pour in the boiling water and one teaspoon salt. Simmer rice for fifteen minutes.When it’s done, put it aside to serve with the soup.

  5. For the soup, heat two tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven.

  6. Add the onion and cook until soft.

  7. Add the sliced yellow and red peppers, paprika and red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Cook until peppers are soft.

  8. Add chopped plum tomatoes and onion greens and cook for five minutes, uncovered. Add handful of cilantro.

  9. With a slotted spoon, take out half the vegetables and put on a plate.

  10. Spread the other half of the vegetables over the bottom of the pan.

  11. Salt and pepper the swordfish pieces and place them on top of the vegetables in the pan.

  12. Put the reserved vegetables on top of the swordfish.

  13. Pour the coconut milk over everything.

  14. When the coconut milk is simmering, turn down the heat, cover, and let it cook slowly for fifteen minutes.

  15. Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve with the rice.

  16. Enjoy!!!

  Pat’s Tip for Traveling with Friends: If your

  friend hates shopping in flea markets, get

  a new friend.

  Chapter Six

  Sing, Samba, Swim

  The room was full of guests from the hotel. When we appeared in our red dresses, our hips moving to the samba the band was playing, they applauded. As we danced faster and faster, we were astonished to see some of the audience get up and start to samba next to their tables. This had never happened to us before. I remembered that Maria had said to us at one point, “Brazilians live to dance.” Now I believed it.

  It was fantastic seeing them move like that, as if they couldn’t help dancing to the music. It revved up our own excitement in this incredible samba. We clapped as we danced, and I felt we were applauding our audience. Natalia matched the mood with her singing of “Copacabana,” and we ended up with a blast of joy and “Olés!” from the guests.

  We bowed and were surrounded by people congratulating us.

  “Come, I must dance with you,” a gray-haired, handsome man said, putting his arm around my waist and leading me back onto the floor.

  I didn’t have time to say “yes, “no,” or “wait a second.” I was being swirled into something that was very Latin, but I had no idea what I was doing. I just followed this man who held me very close and guided me firmly, expertly, to the music played by the band. He didn’t smile, just danced as if he was sure I could follow him. I was amazed to find that I could, no matter what he did. No man had ever danced with me like that before.

  When the music stopped, he twirled me around, dipped me over backward, and kissed me lightly on the forehead. When I straightened up, he let me go, bowed, and said, “Gabriel Souza at your service, senhora.”

  “Dr. Souza?” I said. “The doctor for the hotel?”

  “I am,” he said. “And you are?”

  “I’m Pat Keeler,” I said. “A Happy Hoofer, not really at your service.”

  He laughed. “I’m disappointed to hear that, senhora. We dance so perfectly together.”

  “I’ll dance with you anytime,” I said, taking his hand and leading him over to the rest of our group.

  “Hey, Hoofers, I want you to meet Dr. Souza. He dances like Fred Astaire.”

  My friends all said hello, and of course, my gorgeous doctor forgot all the rest of us when he saw Janice. He took her hand and led her onto the floor when the band started to play again. He didn’t ask, just assumed she would be glad to dance with him, which of course, she was. It was some kind of fast Latin music again, and Janice followed him easily. Oh, well, it was fun while it lasted.

  It didn’t last long for Janice either. Just as the doctor and Janice were really getting into it, Sumiko strode onto the floor, tapped the doctor on the shoulder, lightly pushed Janice out of the way, and took her place.

  Janice came back to join us. “Whooooa,” she said. “That Sumiko doesn’t fool around. She took over that doctor as if she owned him.”

  “Natalia said she does own him,” I said in a low voice. “She’s fooling around with him. There seems to be a lot of that going on in this hotel.”

  “You better believe it,” Natalia said, slipping in beside me.

  “I’m totally confused,” Mary Louise said. “Who’s having an affair with whom?”

  “It is confusing,” Natalia said. “Let me straighten all this out for you. Why don’t you change into your bathing suits and join me in the pool to get cooled off. Then I’ll tell you everything.”

  We were all sweating like crazy, so her suggestion to go for a swim was a great idea. We went to our rooms and put on swimsuits. When we got back to the pool, Natalia was already paddling around in the clear, cool water in an almost nonexistent suit. The hotel guests were still dancing to the never-ending band music. They didn’t seem surprised when the five of us in almost no clothes scooted by them and dove into the pool. They only glanced at us briefly. It was as if they were used to things like this happening all the time. I was beginning to believe Natalia’s description of Rio—anything can happen there. People just expect it.

  We treaded water in the deep end away from any eavesdroppers and gathered around Natalia.

  “OK, Natalia, give,” Gini said.

  “First of all,” Natalia said, “Maria was sleeping with Miguel, the hotel manager. Miguel’s wife, Sumiko, is fooling around with Dr. Souza. Yasmi
n, the accountant, is having an affair with Lucas, Maria’s ex-husband. Maria hated Lucas so she didn’t really care who he slept with. I know all this because I have had occasional flings with Maria, Souza, Yasmin, and Miguel, who sleeps with everybody.”

  We all burst out laughing. This outrageous little person was the best part of our whole Rio adventure.

  “So who killed Maria?” Gini asked.

  Natalia said, “Come closer.”

  We splashed up near her. She looked around to make sure no one could hear her and said, “I think it was Sumiko.” She checked to make sure Sumiko was still sambaing with the doctor.

  “See, Souza is an anesthesiologist. Somebody obviously gave Maria some kind of anesthetic that disappears from the body so it can’t be traced. I Googled anesthetics and found out there’s this stuff called succinylcholine chloride that kills and then very conveniently melts away somewhere, and the medical examiner can’t find it. It’s an anesthetic. Souza is an anesthesiologist. Get it? I think Sumiko got some from the doctor and used it on Maria.”

  “You think the doctor is involved in her death too?” I asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Natalia said, “whether he gave Sumiko the anesthetic or she stole it from him.”

  “But why would Sumiko want to kill Maria?” Gini asked.

  “Because she was afraid her husband was getting serious about Maria, and would divorce her. Sumiko loves to fool around but she doesn’t want to end her marriage. She likes the life and the money she has here, and she isn’t about to give it up to marry some hotel doctor. So she decided to get rid of Maria.”

  “Couldn’t she just get her fired?” Gini asked. “Seems a bit over the top to kill her.”

  “Even if she were fired, her husband could keep seeing her,” Natalia said. “Sumiko wanted her out of the way permanently.”

  “I don’t know,” Gini said. “It just doesn’t seem likely. You don’t kill somebody to keep her from having an affair with your husband.”

  “Well, who do you think did it?” Natalia asked her.

  “I’m not sure,” Gini said. “What about Lucas, Maria’s ex? At lunch I got the impression you thought Lucas killed Maria so he wouldn’t have to pay her any more alimony. That seems more logical to me. ”

  “I did think it was Lucas at first,” she said, “but I just don’t think he has the guts to do it. Oops. Dummy up, guys. Miguel is coming this way.”

  I’m telling you—if I didn’t love Denise so much, I would definitely have fun with this cute little singer.

  Miguel leaned down to talk to us in the pool.

  “Your dancing was superb,” he said. “Our guests loved you.”

  “It was so great seeing them dance too,” Tina said. “That’s never happened to us before. Do they always do that?”

  “Not like tonight,” Miguel said. “They really liked you.”

  “Come join us, Miguelito,” Natalia said, flicking some water at him.

  “Natalia, you know I can’t get in the pool now. I’m working.”

  “Too bad,” she said. “You’re missing all the fun.”

  “Life is not always fun, Natalia,” he said sternly.

  “Who says?” she said and grabbed both his ankles. When he fell, she pulled him into the pool and pushed his head under the water.

  He came up sputtering, furious at her. Even I thought she had gone too far this time.

  “You’re fired!” he said, climbing out of the pool, dripping water on the dance floor as he went to his room to change into dry clothes.

  “He doesn’t mean it,” Natalia said. “He fires me all the time, but then forgets about it when I sing. He loves my voice—among other things.”

  I didn’t want to leave the pool because there was no telling what would happen with this sassy little broad around, but it looked like the party was over. I swam a few laps before toweling off and going back to my room.

  Pat’s Tip for Traveling with Friends: If you’re

  not a shopper and your friend is, pretend you

  are and you might find something you want.

  Chapter Seven

  And a Very Bom Dia to You

  I woke up early the next morning and wanted to go for a walk but remembered all the warnings about roaming around Rio by myself. Not a good idea, according to all accounts. Gini was still fast asleep, so I dressed quickly and quietly and sneaked down to the breakfast room for some coffee.

  I was enjoying a delicious, strong, hot cup of coffee and a roll when Yasmin approached my table. “May I join you?” she said.

  “Please do,” I said, surprised to see her.

  She looked fresh and cool in a black and white striped top and pants. Her hair was pulled back, tied with a pale green scarf.

  “You’re up early,” she said.

  “I just couldn’t sleep anymore,” I said. “I’d love to walk around outside for a while, but they said not to do that—too dangerous. Is that true?”

  “You don’t have to worry at this hour of the day,” she said. “I don’t have to start work for a while. Would you like me to come with you and point out some things about Rio?”

  “I’d love it,” I said. “That’s so nice of you. Are you sure you have time?”

  “Oh, yes,” she said. “I always have time. Things are very relaxed around here.”

  We left the hotel and walked along the streets crowded with cafés and small clothing shops just starting to open.

  “Are you from Rio, Yasmin?” I asked.

  “No. São Paulo. Much more serious than Rio. But I love the music and the—I don’t know—the lightheartedness of this city.”

  “But your work is so serious,” I said.

  “You mean because I’m an accountant?” she asked and laughed. “It’s not all that serious.”

  “I guess I always associate anything to do with money and finance with grimness,” I said. “I’m not much good at it myself. I wish I were. I’m always worried about money.”

  “You should move to Rio, Pat,” she said. “We don’t take anything very seriously. Brazilians just want everything to turn out all right, and if necessary, we help things along so they will turn out all right. Comprende?”

  “Good philosophy, Yasmin,” I said. “My clients should follow that philosophy.”

  “Your clients?” she asked.

  “Yes, I’m a family therapist, and my clients always think the worst is going to happen. And it usually does. It’s as if they wish it on themselves. A large part of my job is helping them think more positively—about themselves and about their situation. “

  “You have to make life happen the way you want it to happen,” she said. She was quiet for a minute. Then she added, “No matter what.”

  I looked at her. She was lost in another world. As if I weren’t there. What was going on in that mathematical brain? I wondered. Everybody in this hotel seemed to have some kind of secret.

  I wasn’t paying much attention to the little shops we passed until I saw a silk blouse that was perfect for Denise hanging outside one of the stores. It was a pale lavender and would be beautiful with her dark hair and blue eyes. I stopped to look at it more closely. Yasmin kept walking, looking down at the ground, absorbed in thought, until she realized I was no longer with her. She came back to the shop.

  “Sorry, Pat,” she said. “I got caught up in my thoughts.”

  “I noticed,” I said. “What were you thinking about so deeply?”

  “Nothing much really. Just about the work I have waiting for me back at the office. I suppose I should be getting back.”

  “Go ahead if you want. I’m going to buy this blouse for my girlfriend.”

  “Is this a serious relationship or just a friend/ friend thing?” she asked.

  “Very serious,” I said. “We live together with her son, David.”

  “You’re lucky to have someone to love,” she said. “I’m still looking. He’ll come along one of these days.”

  “I thought yo
u and Lucas were serious about each other,” I said. “When you were with him at the beach you two seemed to be more than just friends. Did I just imagine that?”

  “Yes, you did,” she said. “We go out together sometimes, but we’re not really a couple. He’s not easy to be with. Very negative. I want somebody much better than Lucas.”

  “I’m sure you’ll meet him soon,” I said. “You’re such an attractive woman.”

  “For an accountant?” Yasmin said and laughed.

  “Right,” I said.

  She helped me haggle with the owner of the shop for a proper price for the blouse.

  “Don’t ever pay the first price they quote you in these little shops,” she said. “They expect you to argue them down. It’s different when you are in one of the department stores, though. Their price is set and you’re not supposed to try to get a lower one.“

  I bought the blouse for Denise, paying much less than I would have paid at home and less than I would have paid if Yasmin hadn’t been with me. We headed back to the hotel.

  “This was nice,” I said when we walked into the lobby. “Let’s do it again, OK?”

  “Definitely,” she said.

  She crossed the lobby to go to her office. I noticed she didn’t speak to Miguel as he came toward me. Odd, I thought.

  “You’re up early, Senhora Keeler,” he said.

  “Yes. Yasmin was showing me a little of your beautiful city,” I said. “I can’t wait to see where Natalia will take us today. That is, if she still works here.”

  He looked chagrined. “Oh, yes, of course. I fire her every other day, but I couldn’t really get along without her. She’s very talented and she’s great with the guests. They all love her.”

  “We certainly do,” I said. “She was a great guide yesterday. That trip to Corcovado to see the statue of Christ was incredibly moving. And then she took us to this fabulous restaurant where we ate something unbelievable called a picadinho. When I asked her for the recipe, she took us back here where Luiz showed us how to cook it. She’s wonderful.”