Chapter 8 - THE LAST WARNING
The intruder did not have a weapon in his hands, but Alejandro's security team moved quickly.
Two guards entered from the side corridor and ordered the man to drop the folder.
He did.
Inside were photographs of Mateo leaving school, Rosa entering the grocery store, and Beatrice sitting in her garden.
The message was clear.
Victor knew where they lived.
Detective Alvarez arrived minutes later and took the intruder into custody.
Under questioning, he admitted that Victor had ordered him to retrieve the archive records and warn Alejandro not to contact the police.
He also gave them a new location.
The coastal clinic had been abandoned, but a caretaker had recently seen a woman matching Isabel's description.
The team left before dawn.
Mateo wanted to go with them.
Alejandro refused.
"I need to find your mother," the boy insisted.
"And I need to know you're safe."
"But what if she asks for me?"
Alejandro knelt.
"Then I'll tell her you never stopped looking."
Mateo's eyes filled.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
The clinic stood on a rocky stretch of coast, its windows boarded and its garden overgrown.
Detective Alvarez's team entered first.
They found a blanket, a half-empty water bottle, and a child's drawing taped to the wall.
It showed a house with a blue door.
Beneath it, in careful handwriting, were two words:
For Mateo.
Alejandro found a small metal box under the bed.
Inside lay a photograph of Isabel holding a newborn baby.
On the back she had written:
I am still here. I am trying to come home.
A sound came from the corridor.
A door creaked.
Alejandro turned.
A woman stood in the doorway.
Her hair was shorter than he remembered. Her face was thinner. A faint scar crossed her forehead.
But her eyes were the same.
"Isabel?"
She stared at him.
Then her hand rose to her mouth.
"Alejandro."
He crossed the room in three steps and stopped just short of touching her.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Isabel began to cry.
He held her carefully, as though she might disappear again.
"Where is Mateo?" she whispered.
"Safe. He's at the house."
Her knees nearly gave way.
"He's alive?"
"He's waiting for you."
Isabel covered her face.
Then she pulled away.
"Victor knows you're here."
Alejandro looked toward the door.
"How?"
"Because he was the one who brought me here."
A sound echoed outside.
A car engine.
Detective Alvarez reached for her radio.
May you like
Isabel gripped Alejandro's sleeve.
"He's coming back."
