Chapter 6

Following my introduction to his friendly animals, he asked if I wanted something to drink.

“An iced tea will do fine.”

“Long Island alright?”

“What the hell? Why not?”

I was given a tall glass of the cocktail and then taken on a tour of La Selva, which consisted of four bedrooms, two rhinos, many turtles, a handful of snakes, and twenty or more domestic cats, none of which I could remember their names. I was pretty sure Amazon Don had the appropriate licenses for his exotic pets, obeying all the laws of the land. Once the tour ended, he escorted me through his quartz kitchen, outside, and on a jungle-like deck where he had planned for us to share dinner.

Ferns, palms, and a variety of Florida flowers—swamp sunflowers, goldenrod, and porterweed—outlined the deck. Beyond the deck was a narrow, cobblestone pathway that led to the Gulf. Donlito pointed to the trail and said, “I have a deca-style portico out there. It’s quite nice to sit in while the sun sets.”