Chapter 9 - THE MAN BEHIND THE LIES
Victor Moreira arrived with two men.
He was older than Alejandro remembered, with silver hair and a neat dark suit. He carried himself like a man who had spent his life being obeyed.
He did not look surprised to see Alejandro.
"Your father always said you were too sentimental."
Alejandro stood between him and Isabel.
"You arranged the fire."
Victor smiled.
"Your father arranged the cover-up. I arranged the fire. We both did what was necessary."
"Rafael?"
"An inconvenience."
"Isabel?"
"An even bigger one."
Isabel stepped forward.
"You told me Rafael was dead."
Victor's expression did not change.
"He was supposed to be."
"Where is he?"
Victor glanced at her.
"Your husband has been looking for you for months. Perhaps he found something you should have told him."
Alejandro's jaw tightened.
"Where is Rafael?"
Victor shrugged.
"Somewhere safe. For now."
Detective Alvarez's officers moved into position outside.
Victor noticed the shift.
"You brought the police."
"I brought the people who can stop you."
Victor laughed.
"You think a few officers can undo what your family built?"
"No. But they can put you in prison."
Victor's expression hardened.
He reached inside his coat.
The officers shouted.
He stopped.
For several seconds, the room held its breath.
Then Victor slowly removed a folded paper and placed it on the table.
It was a signed confession from Alejandro's father, written shortly before his death. It detailed the money transfers, the warehouse fire, and the false identification used to declare Isabel dead.
Victor had kept it as insurance.
"You want the truth?" Victor said. "There it is. Your father knew everything."
Alejandro looked at the confession.
"Why keep it?"
"Because it made me untouchable."
"Not anymore."
Detective Alvarez stepped forward.
"Victor Moreira, you're under arrest."
Victor looked at Isabel.
"You should have stayed hidden."
She lifted her chin.
"I did that long enough."
The officers took him away.
As the door closed, Isabel began to shake.
Alejandro put his arms around her.
"It's over."
May you like
She looked at him.
"Not until I see my son."
