Chapter 9: The Night My Father Died
I didn't sleep that night.
I sat in the hospital corridor with Camila's words repeating in my head.
Your father didn't die from a natural heart attack.
I remembered the funeral.*
I remembered the funeral.
The black suits.
The flowers.
The speeches.
Ricardo Salvatierra standing beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder and telling me that my father would have wanted me to be strong.
I remembered him saying that grief was a luxury a businessman couldn't afford.
I had believed him.
For six years, I had believed him.
At 6:00 a.m., I called my father's former physician.
Dr. Fernando Castillo answered on the fourth ring.
The black suits.
The flowers.
The speeches.
Ricardo Salvatierra standing beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder and telling me that my father would have wanted me to be strong.
I remembered him saying that grief was a luxury a businessman couldn't afford.
I had believed him.
For six years, I had believed him.
At 6:00 a.m., I called my father's former physician.
Dr. Fernando Castillo answered on the fourth ring.
"Hello?""
"Doctor, it's Mateo Villarreal.""
There was a pause.
"Mateo. It's been.
"Hello?""
"Doctor, it's Mateo Villarreal.""
There was a pause.
"Mateo. It's been a long time.""
"I need to ask you something about my father's death.""
His voice changed.
"What about it?""
"Was it really a heart attack?""
Another pause.
Then he said, " a long time.""
"I need to ask you something about my father's death.""
His voice changed.
"What about it?""
"Was it really a heart attack?""
Another pause.
Then he said, "Where did you get that question?""
I stood.
"Someone found a medical report suggesting heWhere did you get that question?""
I stood.
"Someone found a medical report suggesting he was given the wrong medication.""
The line went silent.
"Doctor?""
He exhaled.
"I was hoping was given the wrong medication.""
The line went silent.
"Doctor?""
He exhaled.
"I was hoping this conversation would never happen.""
My heart began pounding.
"What does that mean?""
"Your father was taking medication for a cardiac condition. The dosage was this conversation would never happen.""
My heart began pounding.
"What does that mean?""
"Your father was taking medication for a cardiac condition. The dosage was changed shortly before his death.""
"By whom?""
"I don't know.""
"You're his doctor.""
"I wasn't the only person with access to his treatment.""
I gripped the phone.
"Who else?""
changed shortly before his death.""
"By whom?""
"I don't know.""
"You're his doctor.""
"I wasn't the only person with access to his treatment.""
I gripped the phone.
"Who else?""
He hesitated.
"Ricardo Salvatierra.""
I closed my eyes.
"Why?""
"Your father trusted him. Ricardo often accompanied him to appointments and handled some of his prescriptions.""
"Did you reportHe hesitated.
"Ricardo Salvatierra.""
I closed my eyes.
"Why?""
"Your father trusted him. Ricardo often accompanied him to appointments and handled some of his prescriptions.""
"Did you report this?""
"I raised concerns.""
"To whom?""
"Your father.""
"What did he say?""
The doctor sighed.
"He told me not to involve the police until he had spoken this?""
"I raised concerns.""
"To whom?""
"Your father.""
"What did he say?""
The doctor sighed.
"He told me not to involve the police until he had spoken with his lawyer.""
I felt sick.
"Why didn't he?""
"Because he died two days later.""
I leaned against the wall.
Then Dr. Castillo said:
with his lawyer.""
I felt sick.
"Why didn't he?""
"Because he died two days later.""
I leaned against the wall.
Then Dr. Castillo said:
"Mateo, there's something else.""
I looked toward the hospital doors.
"What?""
"Your father asked me to preserve the original"Mateo, there's something else.""
I looked toward the hospital doors.
"What?""
"Your father asked me to preserve the original medication records. I still have them.""
"Where?""
"In my office.""
"Send them to me.""
"I won't send anything medication records. I still have them.""
"Where?""
"In my office.""
"Send them to me.""
"I won't send anything until I know why you're asking.""
I lowered my voice.
"Because I think someone killed my father.""
The doctor didn't answer.
Then he whispered:
"Come alone.""
until I know why you're asking.""
I lowered my voice.
"Because I think someone killed my father.""
The doctor didn't answer.
Then he whispered:
"Come alone.""
At 8:30 a.m., Alejandro and I drove to Dr. Castillo's office.
I hadn't wanted him to come.
But after whatAt 8:30 a.m., Alejandro and I drove to Dr. Castillo's office.
I hadn't wanted him to come.
But after what happened with Ricardo, I knew I couldn't trust anyone else to recognize a trap.
The doctor met us at the entrance.
He looked older than I remembered happened with Ricardo, I knew I couldn't trust anyone else to recognize a trap.
The doctor met us at the entrance.
He looked older than I remembered.
His hair had turned almost completely white.
He led us into a private consultation room and locked the door.
"Before I.
His hair had turned almost completely white.
He led us into a private consultation room and locked the door.
"Before I show you anything, I need to tell you something.""
I sat down.
"Go ahead.""
"Your father wasn't careless with his medication. He followed show you anything, I need to tell you something.""
I sat down.
"Go ahead.""
"Your father wasn't careless with his medication. He followed his treatment schedule precisely.""
"Then how did the dosage change?""
The doctor opened a cabinet.
He removed a brown folder.
"Someone collected a his treatment schedule precisely.""
"Then how did the dosage change?""
The doctor opened a cabinet.
He removed a brown folder.
"Someone collected a prescription on his behalf.""
"Who?""
"An employee from his office.""
"Name?""
The doctor checked the prescription on his behalf.""
"Who?""
"An employee from his office.""
"Name?""
The doctor checked the record.
"Diego.""
My stomach tightened.
Alejandro looked at me.
"Your Diego?""
I nodded.
Dr. record.
"Diego.""
My stomach tightened.
Alejandro looked at me.
"Your Diego?""
I nodded.
Dr. Castillo continued.
"Your father had instructed us to release the prescription only to himself or a family member. Diego presented a written authorization.""
"Was it signed by my father Castillo continued.
"Your father had instructed us to release the prescription only to himself or a family member. Diego presented a written authorization.""
"Was it signed by my father?""
The doctor hesitated.
"It appeared to be.""
I took the paper.
The signature looked genuine.
But the date was wrong.
?""
The doctor hesitated.
"It appeared to be.""
I took the paper.
The signature looked genuine.
But the date was wrong.
My father had been traveling that day.
I remembered because I had driven him to the airport.
"Did you check?""
"IMy father had been traveling that day.
I remembered because I had driven him to the airport.
"Did you check?""
"I called the office. Ricardo answered. He confirmed that your father had authorized it.""
I looked at the doctor.
"And you believed called the office. Ricardo answered. He confirmed that your father had authorized it.""
I looked at the doctor.
"And you believed him?""
"I had no reason not to.""
Alejandro examined the paper.
"Was the medication different?""
Dr him?""
"I had no reason not to.""
Alejandro examined the paper.
"Was the medication different?""
Dr. Castillo nodded.
"The dosage was significantly higher than the prescribed amount.""
I stared at him.
"Would that have caused. Castillo nodded.
"The dosage was significantly higher than the prescribed amount.""
I stared at him.
"Would that have caused a heart attack?""
"It could have contributed to a fatal cardiac event, especially given your father's condition.""
I felt my hands begin to a heart attack?""
"It could have contributed to a fatal cardiac event, especially given your father's condition.""
I felt my hands begin to shake.
"Why wasn't this in the original report?""
The doctor lowered his eyes.
"Because the initial examination showed signs consistent shake.
"Why wasn't this in the original report?""
The doctor lowered his eyes.
"Because the initial examination showed signs consistent with a natural cardiac event. I didn't have enough evidence to establish deliberate poisoning.""
"Then why keep these records?""
"Because with a natural cardiac event. I didn't have enough evidence to establish deliberate poisoning.""
"Then why keep these records?""
"Because your father asked me to.""
He opened the folder.
Inside were prescription copies, appointment notes, and a handwritten statement.
I recognized my father's handwriting.
*If your father asked me to.""
He opened the folder.
Inside were prescription copies, appointment notes, and a handwritten statement.
I recognized my father's handwriting.
*If anything happens to me, do not assume it was an accident. Ricardo has been asking questions about the company and Sofía. He believes I have given her too anything happens to me, do not assume it was an accident.
Ricardo has been asking questions about the company and Sofía. He believes I have given her too much.*
I read it twice.
Alejandro leaned forward.
"Did you know about Sofía?""
The much.*
I read it twice.
Alejandro leaned forward.
"Did you know about Sofía?""
The doctor nodded.
"I met her once. Your father brought her to an appointment.""
I stared at him.
"Did he introduce her as his daughter?""
doctor nodded.
"I met her once. Your father brought her to an appointment.""
I stared at him.
"Did he introduce her as his daughter?""
"Yes.""
I looked down.
My father had been preparing for something.
He had known Ricardo was dangerous.
And he had tried to leave evidence"Yes.""
I looked down.
My father had been preparing for something.
He had known Ricardo was dangerous.
And he had tried to leave evidence behind.
I turned to Dr. Castillo.
"Why didn't you contact the police?""
He looked at me with tired eyes.
"Because the day behind.
I turned to Dr. Castillo.
"Why didn't you contact the police?""
He looked at me with tired eyes.
"Because the day after your father's funeral, someone came to my office and told me to forget what I knew.""
"Who?""
"Ricardo.""
I stood.
"What did he say?""
after your father's funeral, someone came to my office and told me to forget what I knew.""
"Who?""
"Ricardo.""
I stood.
"What did he say?""
The doctor looked frightened.
"He said that people who interfere with the Villarreal family tend to lose more than their careersThe doctor looked frightened.
"He said that people who interfere with the Villarreal family tend to lose more than their careers.""
Alejandro stood too.
"Did you report the threat?""
"No.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Everyone was afraid.""
Alejandro stood too.
"Did you report the threat?""
"No.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Everyone was afraid of him.""
Dr. Castillo nodded.
"Your father was too.""
I stared at the handwritten note.
For years, of him.""
Dr. Castillo nodded.
"Your father was too.""
I stared at the handwritten note.
For years, I had believed my father had died peacefully.
Now I wondered whether he had spent his final days knowing someone close to him intended to destroy everything he I had believed my father had died peacefully.
Now I wondered whether he had spent his final days knowing someone close to him intended to destroy everything he loved.
At 10:15 a.m., Detective Morales arrived at the hospital with two officers.
We handed over the medical records.
She reviewed them in silence.
loved.
At 10:15 a.m., Detective Morales arrived at the hospital with two officers.
We handed over the medical records.
She reviewed them in silence.
Then she asked me to sit.
"Mr. Villarreal, these documents significantly change the investigation.""
"Can you arrest Ricardo?""
"WeThen she asked me to sit.
"Mr. Villarreal, these documents significantly change the investigation.""
"Can you arrest Ricardo?""
"We need to establish a direct connection between him and the medication.""
"The doctor identified Diego.""
need to establish a direct connection between him and the medication.""
"The doctor identified Diego.""
"That's important. But we need more.""
I looked at Alejandro.
He nodded.
"Valeria may have something.""
Detective Morales looked up.
"That's important. But we need more.""
I looked at Alejandro.
He nodded.
"Valeria may have something.""
Detective Morales looked up.
"Why?""
"She was working with Diego. She may have records connecting him to Ricardo.""
The detective made a note.
"We'll request access to her devices.""
I"Why?""
"She was working with Diego. She may have records connecting him to Ricardo.""
The detective made a note.
"We'll request access to her devices.""
I leaned forward.
"Can I speak to her?""
"Not without authorization.""
"She's the key to leaned forward.
"Can I speak to her?""
"Not without authorization.""
"She's the key to this.""
"Possibly.""
I looked at the detective.
"Please understand something. If Ricardo killed my father, he's been using my family for years.""
She closed the folder.
"Then we need to be careful. People who this.""
"Possibly.""
I looked at the detective.
"Please understand something. If Ricardo killed my father, he's been using my family for years.""
She closed the folder.
"Then we need to be careful. People who have operated without consequences for a long time often become reckless when they realize they're losing control.""
Her phone vibrated.
She checked the screen.
Then her expression changed.
"What happened?"" I asked.
She looked have operated without consequences for a long time often become reckless when they realize they're losing control.""
Her phone vibrated.
She checked the screen.
Then her expression changed.
"What happened?"" I asked.
She looked at me.
"Ricardo Salvatierra has filed an emergency petition concerning your father's estate.""
"What kind of petition?""
"He's at me.
"Ricardo Salvatierra has filed an emergency petition concerning your father's estate.""
"What kind of petition?""
"He's claiming that your father was mentally incapacitated when he signed the original ownership agreement.""
I laughed.
"That's ridiculous.""
"He's also requesting an immediate claiming that your father was mentally incapacitated when he signed the original ownership agreement.""
I laughed.
"That's ridiculous.""
"He's also requesting an immediate freeze on the family trust.""
I stood.
"He can't do that.""
"He can request it. The court will decide freeze on the family trust.""
I stood.
"He can't do that.""
"He can request it. The court will decide.""
"Then fight it.""
Detective Morales nodded.
"We will.""
She paused.
"But there's something you should know.""
I waited.""
"Then fight it.""
Detective Morales nodded.
"We will.""
She paused.
"But there's something you should know.""
I waited.
"Ricardo has attached a sworn statement from someone claiming that Camila forged your father's signature.""
My stomach dropped.
"Who?""
The detective looked at the page.
"Elena Salvatierra.""
At.
"Ricardo has attached a sworn statement from someone claiming that Camila forged your father's signature.""
My stomach dropped.
"Who?""
The detective looked at the page.
"Elena Salvatierra.""
At noon, Camila was finally allowed a short visit with her son.
The nurses wheeled her into a nearby noon, Camila was finally allowed a short visit with her son.
The nurses wheeled her into a nearby neonatal consultation room in a wheelchair.
She was weak, but her eyes brightened when she saw the incub neonatal consultation room in a wheelchair.
She was weak, but her eyes brightened when she saw the incubator.
"Hello, my beautiful boy.""
A nurse smiled.
"He's been waiting for you.""
Camila began crying.
I stood behindator.
"Hello, my beautiful boy.""
A nurse smiled.
"He's been waiting for you.""
Camila began crying.
I stood behind her.
For a moment, I wanted to place my hands on her shoulders.
But I didn't.
I had learned that love couldn't her.
For a moment, I wanted to place my hands on her shoulders.
But I didn't.
I had learned that love couldn't be forced through touch.
The nurse opened the incubator's small access panel.
Camila slipped one finger inside.
Her son moved.
She be forced through touch.
The nurse opened the incubator's small access panel.
Camila slipped one finger inside.
Her son moved.
She laughed through her tears.
"Mateo, look.""
I stepped closer.
His tiny hand curled around hers.
laughed through her tears.
"Mateo, look.""
I stepped closer.
His tiny hand curled around hers.
"He knows you," I whispered.
Camila smiled.
"Of course he does. He's been listening to me for months.""
I looked at our son.
Then at my wife.
And I realized that this was"He knows you," I whispered.
Camila smiled.
"Of course he does. He's been listening to me for months.""
I looked at our son.
Then at my wife.
And I realized that this was the family I should have been protecting.
Not my company.
Not my reputation.
Not the expensive lifestyle that had the family I should have been protecting.
Not my company.
Not my reputation.
Not the expensive lifestyle that had made me feel important.
Them.
When the visit ended, Camila looked at me.
"Did you find anything?""
I nodded.
"We found the original prescription records.""
Her face made me feel important.
Them.
When the visit ended, Camila looked at me.
"Did you find anything?""
I nodded.
"We found the original prescription records.""
Her face changed.
"About your father?""
"Yes.""
She lowered her eyes.
"Then it's true.""
I swallowed.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?""
She looked at our son.
"Because I wanted to be certain.""
changed.
"About your father?""
"Yes.""
She lowered her eyes.
"Then it's true.""
I swallowed.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?""
She looked at our son.
"Because I wanted to be certain.""
I sat beside her wheelchair.
"Camila, I need to know everything.""
She took a breath.
I sat beside her wheelchair.
"Camila, I need to know everything.""
She took a breath.
"Your father came to see me three days before he died. He gave me a key.""
"What key?""
She looked at Alejandro.
He reached into his pocket and removed a small brass key.
I stared"Your father came to see me three days before he died. He gave me a key.""
"What key?""
She looked at Alejandro.
He reached into his pocket and removed a small brass key.
I stared.
"Where did you get that?""
"Camila gave it to me.""
I turned toward her.
"What does it open?""
She answered.
"Where did you get that?""
"Camila gave it to me.""
I turned toward her.
"What does it open?""
She answered quietly.
"Your father's private archive.""
I frowned.
"I've never heard of that.""
"Because it isn't at the company.""
"Where is it?""
"Under the old quietly.
"Your father's private archive.""
I frowned.
"I've never heard of that.""
"Because it isn't at the company.""
"Where is it?""
"Under the old family chapel.""
I stared at her.
The chapel was on a piece of land outside Monterrey that my father had purchased years family chapel.""
I stared at her.
The chapel was on a piece of land outside Monterrey that my father had purchased years before his death.
It had been closed since his funeral.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Cam before his death.
It had been closed since his funeral.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Camila looked at me.
"Because your father told me not to open it unless Ricardo tried to take control of the company.""
I looked at the key.
ila looked at me.
"Because your father told me not to open it unless Ricardo tried to take control of the company.""
I looked at the key.
Then at Alejandro.
He understood immediately.
"We need to go there.""
At 2:40 p.m., we arrived at the old chapel.
The building stood at the edge ofThen at Alejandro.
He understood immediately.
"We need to go there.""
At 2:40 p.m., we arrived at the old chapel.
The building stood at the edge of a quiet property surrounded by tall trees.
Its white walls had weathered.
The wooden doors were locked.
Alejandro used the brass key on a a quiet property surrounded by tall trees.
Its white walls had weathered.
The wooden doors were locked.
Alejandro used the brass key on a smaller entrance beside the main altar.
It opened.
Inside, dust covered the benches.
A narrow staircase led beneath the building.
smaller entrance beside the main altar.
It opened.
Inside, dust covered the benches.
A narrow staircase led beneath the building.
We descended.
At the bottom was a steel door.
The key fit.
Behind it was a small archive room.
ShelvesWe descended.
At the bottom was a steel door.
The key fit.
Behind it was a small archive room.
Shelves lined the walls.
There were boxes of old business records, photographs, property documents, and personal letters.
I recognized my father's handwriting on several labels.
Alejandro moved toward a filing cabinet.
I found lined the walls.
There were boxes of old business records, photographs, property documents, and personal letters.
I recognized my father's handwriting on several labels.
Alejandro moved toward a filing cabinet.
I found a box marked:
*FAMILY — PRIVATE.*
Inside were photographs.
My father with my mother.
My father with Sofía.
My father a box marked:
*FAMILY — PRIVATE.*
Inside were photographs.
My father with my mother.
My father with Sofía.
My father with Camila.
And one photograph that made me stop.
It showed my father, Ricardo, Diego, and another man standing outside our construction with Camila.
And one photograph that made me stop.
It showed my father, Ricardo, Diego, and another man standing outside our construction headquarters.
The date was printed on the back.
Six months before my father's death.
I turned it over.
There was a handwritten note.
*The three men I trusted most. One of headquarters.
The date was printed on the back.
Six months before my father's death.
I turned it over.
There was a handwritten note.
The three men I trusted most. One of them has already betrayed me.
I stared at the photograph.
"Who is the fourth man?""
Alejandro leaned closer.
He recognized him before I did.
"That's Victor.""
I frowned.
"Victor who?""
them has already betrayed me.*
I stared at the photograph.
"Who is the fourth man?""
Alejandro leaned closer.
He recognized him before I did.
"That's Victor.""
I frowned.
"Victor who?""
"Victor Salvatierra. Ricardo's younger brother.""
I looked at the photograph again.
Victor had been the company's former security director.
He had disappeared shortly"Victor Salvatierra. Ricardo's younger brother.""
I looked at the photograph again.
Victor had been the company's former security director.
He had disappeared shortly after my father died.
I remembered the rumors.
A sudden resignation.
A relocation abroad.
A quiet settlement.
I opened another folder.
Inside was a handwritten list of names.
Beside three of them after my father died.
I remembered the rumors.
A sudden resignation.
A relocation abroad.
A quiet settlement.
I opened another folder.
Inside was a handwritten list of names.
Beside three of them were dates.
Beside Diego's name was the word:
Access.
Beside Ricardo's:
Control.
Beside Victor's:
Security.
And beside my name was a single word.
Son.
were dates.
Beside Diego's name was the word:
Access.
Beside Ricardo's:
Control.
Beside Victor's:
Security.
And beside my name was a single word.
Son.
My throat tightened.
I found another envelope.
This one had my name written across the front.
I opened it.
My father's letter was dated two weeks before his death.
*Mateo,My throat tightened.
I found another envelope.
This one had my name written across the front.
I opened it.
My father's letter was dated two weeks before his death.
Mateo, if you are reading this, then something has gone wrong. I need you to understand that the people closest to us are not always the people who wish us well.
I continued.
if you are reading this, then something has gone wrong. I need you to understand that the people closest to us are not always the people who wish us well.
I continued.
*Ricardo wants control of the company. Diego has been helping him. Victor has access to our security systems. I have reason toRicardo wants control of the company.
Diego has been helping him. Victor has access to our security systems. I have reason to believe they intend to use you as the public face of a transaction you will never control.*
I stopped reading.
Alejandro took the believe they intend to use you as the public face of a transaction you will never control.*
I stopped reading.
Alejandro took the letter from me.
He continued aloud.
*But the most dangerous person is the one who has access to our home. Someone who knows where we keep our documents and understands our family letter from me.
He continued aloud.
But the most dangerous person is the one who has access to our home. Someone who knows where we keep our documents and understands our family routines.
I looked up.
"Who?""
Alejandro turned the page.
There was another paragraph.
I have asked Camila to keep the original trust documents safe. If she is ever routines.
I looked up.
"Who?""
Alejandro turned the page.
There was another paragraph.
I have asked Camila to keep the original trust documents safe. If she is ever in danger, she must contact the only person I believe Ricardo cannot control.
I frowned.
"Who?""
Alejandro looked at in danger, she must contact the only person I believe Ricardo cannot control.*
I frowned.
"Who?""
Alejandro looked at the bottom of the letter.
There was a name.
*MARCOS VILLARREAL.*
My father's younger brother.
My uncle.
I hadn't seen him in eight years.
He had supposedly moved to the bottom of the letter.
There was a name.
*MARCOS VILLARREAL.*
My father's younger brother.
My uncle.
I hadn't seen him in eight years.
He had supposedly moved to Spain after a disagreement with my father.
I stared at the letter.
"Where is he?""
Alejandro checked the date.
Spain after a disagreement with my father.
I stared at the letter.
"Where is he?""
Alejandro checked the date.
Then he turned the page.
There was an address.
In Monterrey.
I looked at my watch.
"We need to find himThen he turned the page.
There was an address.
In Monterrey.
I looked at my watch.
"We need to find him.""
Before Alejandro could answer, his phone rang.
He checked the screen.
Then he looked at me.
"It's Detective Morales.""
He answered.
"Hello.""
Before Alejandro could answer, his phone rang.
He checked the screen.
Then he looked at me.
"It's Detective Morales.""
He answered.
"Hello?""
His expression changed.
"What?""
He listened.
Then he slowly lowered the phone.
I stepped closer.
?""
His expression changed.
"What?""
He listened.
Then he slowly lowered the phone.
I stepped closer.
"What happened?""
Alejandro looked at me.
"Ricardo has been arrested.""
I released a breath.
"Finally.""
But Alejandro didn't look relieved.
He continued.
"Diego has confessed to helping"What happened?""
Alejandro looked at me.
"Ricardo has been arrested.""
I released a breath.
"Finally.""
But Alejandro didn't look relieved.
He continued.
"Diego has confessed to helping him forge the financial records.""
"Then it's over.""
Alejandro shook his head.
"No.""
He looked toward the chapel entrance.
him forge the financial records.""
"Then it's over.""
Alejandro shook his head.
"No.""
He looked toward the chapel entrance.
"Diego says Ricardo didn't order your father's death.""
I frowned.
"Then who did?""
Alejandro swallowed.
"Your"Diego says Ricardo didn't order your father's death.""
I frowned.
"Then who did?""
Alejandro swallowed.
"Your uncle Marcos.""
I stared at him.
The room seemed to tilt.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered uncle Marcos.""
I stared at him.
The room seemed to tilt.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A man's voice spoke.
"Mateo. It's been a long time.""
I recognized the voice immediately.
My uncle.
Marcos Villarreal.
He spoke.
A man's voice spoke.
"Mateo. It's been a long time.""
I recognized the voice immediately.
My uncle.
Marcos Villarreal.
He spoke again.
"I heard you've been looking for me.""
I gripped the phone.
"Where are you?""
He laughed again.
"I heard you've been looking for me.""
I gripped the phone.
"Where are you?""
He laughed softly.
"Somewhere your father should have sent you years ago.""
"What do you want?""
A pause.
Then he softly.
"Somewhere your father should have sent you years ago.""
"What do you want?""
A pause.
Then he said:
"I want you to come alone. Because the truth about your father's death is only half the story.""
I looked at said:
"I want you to come alone. Because the truth about your father's death is only half the story.""
I looked at Alejandro.
He was shaking his head.
But my uncle continued.
"There's something your wife hasn't told you, Mateo.""
My blood ran cold.
"What?""
He lowered his voice.
"Your father didn't die because of the company Alejandro.
He was shaking his head.
But my uncle continued.
"There's something your wife hasn't told you, Mateo.""
My blood ran cold.
"What?""
He lowered his voice.
"Your father didn't die because of the company.""
I stopped breathing.
"He died because he was trying to protect you.""
The call ended.
I stared at the phone.
.""
I stopped breathing.
"He died because he was trying to protect you.""
The call ended.
I stared at the phone.
Then I looked at my father's letter.
At the word Son.
At the photograph of the four men.
And for the first time, I wondered whetherThen I looked at my father's letter.
At the word Son.
At the photograph of the four men.
And for the first time, I wondered whether the entire inheritance scandal, the forged documents, and the attempted takeover had been designed to hide something far more personal.
Something involving me.
Something my father had taken to the entire inheritance scandal, the forged documents, and the attempted takeover had been designed to hide something far more personal.
Something involving me.
Something my father had taken to his grave.
And something my uncle was now threatening to expose.
May you like
his grave.
And something my uncle was now threatening to expose.
