Page 91 of Rio

Delport blinded me with polished reports and touched up photos.The old man kept me busy in meetings with people who talked about issues other than the ones I was interested in.I stood at that community hall and pretended to listen to the people.Lied and told them I’d look into things.

I still didn’t do a damn thing about it.

But Raquel did.

That woman doesn’t need anyone’s permission.She knows right from wrong.She knows what needs to be done, and like the justice warrior she is, she goes out and does something about it.

I was annoyed that she blindsided me with that injunction.But the truth is, she woke me the hell up.I’ve seen that Delport is hiding something.As for the old man?He’s not just aware of everything that’s going on here.He’s counting on it.

***

It’s been a long day, and I’m about to head to the village to meet with the elder who told us the villagers now had to drink bottled water.

Tomas said he’d meet me there, because I’m not sure how the locals will take to me turning up like this.Also, he can help with translation, if need be.With construction halted on the eco resort, the workers are tasked with minor things and Tomas was tasked with taking stock of equipment and materials on-site.No wonder he’s offered to meet me here.

As I head towards the village, the Jeep slows down as the road turns to gravel.There are no signs or fences, just a narrow path between palms and half-flooded ditches.It smells like wet leaves and brine as I pull into a clearing.

I scan the area around me.Scattered around are a handful of homes on stilts, chickens wandering aimlessly, and children watching silently from under the porches.

Tomas is talking to a few people, but he stops and heads toward me as my Jeep pulls up.

“Hey, boss.”He nods.When he asks about my earlier visits to the mangrove basin and the reef, I tell him the truth.

“You saw then, eh?”

“I saw, and I’m angry and ashamed.”

He tilts his head, his eyes examining me.“It’s good that you saw.It means you can do something.”

I feel the pressure already, and know I have to make good.These people must hate us.I must have come across as such an awful douchebag at the community hall.

Then there’s my old man to contend with.It’s going to be a fucking nightmare.

“Let’s see what we have here.”We start to walk towards the area in front of the houses, where a few people have gathered.

“You told them I was coming?”

“Did you want to surprise them?”he asks.I feel like they’re getting ready to attack.

“They’ve been asking for help for over a year,” he says.“They’ve been sending emails, letters and reports to Delport, but they get nothing back.”

This is the first I’ve heard of it.“Are you sure?”

“Yes boss.You know what they got back?”

I don’t answer.I already know what they got back.

“Marketing brochures and bottled water,” he says.

I have no words.What can I say that will make any of this better?

The local elder walks towards us.I recognize him.He’s the same man from the community hall meeting.

“You came,” he says, his heavily lined and tanned face, making me wonder about the life he’s led.

“I told you I would.”But I’m a liar.And a cheat.When I said that to him at the meeting, I had no intention of doing such a thing.It was PR.Easy words.I needed to look good, and convince the audience, but I never really had any intention of coming here.

It’s being with Raquel that’s made me look at myself.It’s seeing what she’s seen, at last, with my own eyes.It’s opening my eyes, and letting the veil of lies disintegrate, that’s led me to this place.