The Monkey Howled at Midnight (2 page)

When they stepped off the plane at the Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Brazil, they all felt as though they had suddenly been wrapped in a thick, soggy blanket inside and out. It was like no weather they had ever felt before.

“The air smells different,” said Otis.

“Tropical,” said Rae.

“I hope you'll get to visit the rain forest soon,” said Mr. Carson. “I probably won't be going along with you, though. I think I'll be busy painting for a while.”

Mr. Estevez had hired Mr. Carson to paint his portrait. Hayden Carson was one of the most famous painters in the world. Everyone loved his work. Usually Mr. Carson liked to travel the world painting animals and nature, but he made pictures of people sometimes, too.

Mr. Estevez had been looking for an artist to do his portrait. When he saw the picture Mr. Carson had done of Jamal Mason, the young movie star, he knew that he had found exactly the right painter. He contacted Maxim and made all the necessary arrangements.

As the Carsons, Rae, and Maxim collected their luggage they saw a tall young man, about eighteen years old, coming toward them with long, sure strides. His eyes matched his black hair, and he had the broad shoulders of an athlete. He reached them quickly and held out his hand to Mr. Carson.

“You must be Mr. Hayden Carson. I've seen pictures of you. I am Pino Estevez.” The young man smiled. “I've seen your paintings, too. My father has shown us a book of them. He even bought two paintings.”

“Really?” Mr. Carson raised his eyebrows. “Which ones?”

“
Sunning Iguana
and
Skull Island Afternoon
.”

“The ones you did on Calavera Island, Dad,” said Otis.

“I remember them very well,” said Mr. Carson.

“So do I,” said Maxim. “I remember what happened on Calavera Island very well, too. I don't want to have any mysteries on
this
trip.”

The young man knitted his brows. “Mysteries? What kind of mysteries?”

“It's a long story,” said Mr. Carson. “Let's not talk about it now.” He looked at Maxim. “Let's just say that the mystery we got mixed up in on our last trip was enough to last a lifetime. We want to relax.”

Pino took them to a shiny black Cadillac. “It's my dad's car,” he explained. “One of them, anyway. You'll all enjoy the air conditioning.”

As they drove, the twins and Rae took in the sights. Manaus was a very modern city, though there were some beautiful old buildings.

“We live near the Teatro Amazonas, the opera house. It was opened in 1896. That was when Manaus was the rubber capital of the world. It's coming up on your left.”

Everyone turned to look at a beautiful pink building with white columns and a dome that glittered with dazzling blue tiles. It was surrounded by trees. A few seconds later the car turned into a driveway flanked by ornate metal gates. Pino pulled to a stop in front of a mansion that looked a lot like the pink opera house, only white.

Everyone piled out of the car. The door of the mansion was opened by a gray-haired gentleman wearing dark trousers, a white shirt, and a black vest. There was a tiny monkey perched on his shoulder.

“It's a pygmy marmoset!” Rae exclaimed. “Oh, he's so cute. He would fit in the palm of my hand.”

The gray-haired man smiled. “Welcome to the Estevez home. I am Carlos Santos, head of the household staff. This little monkey is a
she
and her name is Anjo. It means
angel
.”

He reached up and scratched the monkey's chin. “You're my little
querida
. My little
bonequinha
. My little sweetheart … my little doll. You know we speak Portuguese in Brazil, don't you?”

“Oh, yes, yes,” Rae and the twins said at once. They watched as two maids and three other servants came hurrying toward them.

“Someone take their luggage to their rooms. Another one of you show the way to Mr. Estevez,” Carlos instructed.

A tall, smiling man with white hair combed straight back from his forehead appeared. He was wearing a tailored gray suit and had a glittering diamond ring on the first finger of his right hand.

“No need for that, Carlos,” he said. “Here I am. Welcome, Mr. Carson, family, and friend.” He beamed. “Come into my home.” He led the way.

They all exhaled a long
aahhh
. The great entrance hallway had French doors that opened onto a garden, which exploded with colorful flowers. On the ceiling was a painting of the Amazon rain forest with animals peering out from behind trees and vines. The floor was marble.

“I hope that you'll all be comfortable here,” said Mr. Estevez. “There is a swimming pool a short walk down the path behind the house.”

Cody, Otis, and Rae exchanged glances. This guy had a swimming pool in the middle of the city. Right in back of his house. Well, that was someone who could afford to fly an artist and his family from another continent because he wanted his picture painted.

“I know we'll all be very comfortable in your beautiful home,” said Mr. Carson.

He was about to thank Mr. Estevez when the sound of a crash and breaking glass came from somewhere in the house.

[
Chapter Three
]

T
hey all followed Mr. Estevez, who hurried into the living room. A vase was shattered in pieces all over the floor.

“I'm so sorry. It was an accident,” said a young man who was dressed in a blue T-shirt and cut-off jeans.

The twins and Cousin Rae gaped at him open-mouthed. He had dark eyes and dark hair, just like Pino. In fact, he looked
exactly
like Pino.

“There's your surprise,” said Mr. Carson. “We're staying with twins.”

“I'm Luis Estevez,” said the young man. He glanced at his brother. “We decided that it might be fun not to let you know we were twins right away.”

“Wow,” said Rae. “You guys are as much alike as Cody and Otis. I couldn't tell you apart if you weren't wearing different clothes.”

“Their mother was the only one who could tell them apart,” said Mr. Estevez. He looked down at the broken glass on the rug. “I'll have the butler clean this up,” he said. “Why don't you all go out into the garden for lunch?” He opened the French doors and walked away.

“I hope to talk with you about painting, Mr. Carson,” Luis called after them. “I'm a great fan of your work. I—”

“Stop talking, change your clothes, and get downstairs right away,” Mr. Estevez said gruffly. There was something about the way he spoke that let them all know he was used to telling people what to do.

In the garden, a long table was set for lunch. The variety of plants was dazzling. Orchids bloomed on the trees and ruby-throated hummingbirds and butterflies flew among the flowers. Mr. Estevez joined them. “I hope that you'll enjoy a traditional Brazilian dish,” said Mr. Estevez. “It's called
feijoada
.”

“I know what it is,” Cody piped up. “I read about it. It's smoked meat and seasoned vegetables with manioc and fruit. Manioc is a root, and it can be used like potatoes or flour.”

“That's right, Cody. I hope you will enjoy it. To drink we have some tropical fruit juices—guava or passion fruit.”

“This sure beats airplane food,” said Otis.

Mr. Estevez laughed. “After lunch we can take a little tour of the city museums.”

“Can we go to the rain forest soon?” Cody blurted out. “I'm sure the museums are nice but we've been reading all about the rain forest.”

“Oh, Cody, really,” said Maxim reprovingly. “Mr. Estevez has made plans for us. Don't be rude.”

“No, no, it's quite all right,” said Mr. Estevez, smiling. “You can go with my sons. They're certified rain-forest guides. How about tomorrow?”

“Great!” Cody said, grinning broadly at Otis and Rae.

Pino turned to Luis. “I have some business to take care of tomorrow. I think you'd rather go anyway, wouldn't you?”

“Uh—sure,” said Luis. “I can ask Aldo to go along with me. He'll be coming to the museums with us.”

“Aldo is a fellow Pino and Luis met while they were training to be rain-forest guides,” Mr. Estevez explained. “He's become quite a good friend.”

“Such a good friend, Aldo,” Luis muttered.

Mr. Estevez's cell phone chimed. He answered, and they saw his face become redder and redder as he listened. “I'm not selling you my land. I told you several times before,” he said through clenched teeth. “I'm not letting you turn more of the rain forest into a cattle farm!”

He ended the call and shoved the phone into his pocket. “I own many acres in the Amazon rain forest,” he explained. “I think the land should remain as it is. But someone is always after me to sell it, including my own family.”

“I don't think it would be such a bad idea, Dad,” said Luis. “We could use the money for—”

“Stop!” Mr. Estevez threw down his napkin. “I have enough money and I'm not selling land so that Pino can throw his life away. Usually he is the one bothering me about selling land. I don't need you starting in on me, too.” He glared at Luis, then at Pino.

A hush fell over the table. The silverware clanged as everyone ate in silence.

“This lunch is delicious,” said Maxim finally. “My compliments to the chef.”

“I just remembered that I forgot to wash my hands,” said Rae. “Can I go do it now?”

“Go right ahead.” Mr. Estevez smiled at her.

She left the table and Mr. Estevez looked around at the others. “I'm sorry I lost my temper,” he said, “but the idea of selling my land always annoys me. I have to fend off offers nearly every day. This cattle baron was practically threatening me.”

He looked from Pino to Luis. “Someday the land will belong to you, along with the coffee business.”

“The coffee business isn't for everyone,” mumbled Luis.

“No more talk about land sale and business,” said Mr. Estevez firmly. “We're going to entertain our guests.”

Luis looked down at his plate but said nothing. Pino shifted in his chair and pushed his food around.

Maxim cleared his throat. “I don't think I'm up to a trek into the wilderness tomorrow. I'll be happy to see a part of it in one of the tourist parks.”

“Really?” Mr. Estevez raised his brows. “How about you, Mr. Carson?”

Mr. Carson put down his fork. “I would love to go, but I hope that we can arrange something later. I'd like to get started on that portrait tomorrow, if you don't mind.”

“Yes, yes,” Mr. Estevez said eagerly. “We must plan how I should pose. I want the picture to capture my personality. Do you think I should pose in a suit, to show that I am a businessman? Should I be on a horse, perhaps? Or should I be on my boat? Or climbing a mountain, or something else that I am good at?”

Cody and Otis exchanged glances. This guy had quite an ego.

“I'm sure we'll figure it out,” said Mr. Carson.

“Wonderful.” Mr. Estevez beamed. “Now let's all freshen up after lunch and then hit the museums.”