What does this mean? he asked, throwing the documents on Gonzalo’s desk. He looked at them undeterred. Sara, what a surprise? Shouldn’t you be taking care of my niece? Don’t change the subject. I found your parents’ original will, the real one. Ramiro had the right to half of that land. You forged them. Gonzalo got up slowly, closing the door of his office. Beware of accusations, sister-in-law. These are very serious words. They are not accusations, they are facts. I hired an expert. The signature of the will you submitted is false.
The strokes don’t match. I’m going to denounce you, Gonzalo. I’m going to make Ramiro recover what you stole from him.” Gonzalo walked towards her with calculated calm. And do you think anyone will believe you? My partner Aurelio is a prosecutor. My contacts reach the governor. Your word against mine is worth nothing. I have proof. Evidence can disappear, so can people. Sara felt the weight of the threat, but she didn’t back down. You have a week to return what you stole. If you don’t, I’m going to the police.
I go to the newspapers. I go wherever I need to.” Gonzalo smiled. That cold smile that Sara had learned to fear. A week of understanding. Outside the office someone had listened to the whole conversation. Martín Reyes, the gardener, had come to deliver some documents and had been paralyzed behind the door. What he had just heard could cost him his life and he was not wrong. The town where Martín’s mother lived was called San Jerónimo. It was a place forgotten by time, with dirt streets and adobe houses that seemed to stand by miracle.
Dolores arrived after a 4-hour drive. She found Consuelo Reyes’ house, at the end of an unpaved street, next to a mango tree that shaded half of the yard. Consuelo was a 75-year-old woman with a face scarred by decades of hard work and recent years of pain. She opened the door suspiciously. What do you want? I’m a lawyer. I’m investigating a case involving the Fuentes family. I think her son Martin can help me. Consuelo’s eyes filled with tears.
My son disappeared 5 years ago. The police never looked for him. They told me that he had probably gone to another country for work, but I know that something happened to him. Martin would never have abandoned me. He had contact with him before his disappearance. Consuelo hesitated for a moment. Then she went into her house and came back with a crumpled letter. This came three days before he disappeared. Read it yourself. Dolores took the letter with trembling hands. Mom, if something happens to me, I want you to know that I saw something terrible in the house where I work, something that involves very powerful people.
I can’t say more by letter, but I keep evidence in a safe place. If someone asks you, “You don’t know anything. I love you.” Your son Martin, where did he keep the evidence? I don’t know, but if Martin says he has it, he does. My son never lied. Dolores looked at the modest house, the empty yard, the mango tree. Martin Reyes had seen something that night. He had proof and someone had made him disappear, so the question was, was he still alive?
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