Chapter 8 - THE LAST LIE
Marco asked to speak with me before his transfer to federal custody. The
police allowed a short meeting with officers present.
“You came,” he said.
“I wanted to hear whether you had anything left to tell the truth
about.”
He leaned forward. “There’s another person involved.”
I waited.
“Salvatore didn’t act alone. Someone from the restaurant told us where
Elena walked after school.”
“Mateo?”
“No. One of his employees. Luis. He said she had the phone in her
schoolbag.”
“Why?”
“He was being paid. He thought we only wanted the phone.”
“Where is Luis?”
“Gone. He left the city the morning after the funeral.”
Investigators located Luis two days later at a bus station in
Philadelphia. He had the cash Marco paid him and messages confirming
that he had reported Elena’s route.
He claimed he never expected anyone to hurt her.
The messages told a different story.
If she gets in the way, make sure she can’t talk.
The case became stronger.
Before leaving, I looked at Marco. “Did you know Luis was watching her?”
He nodded.
“And you still sent the car.”
He looked away.
“Then there is nothing left to say.”
As I walked out, he called after me. “Bruno was always your favorite.”
I stopped.
“He was never my favorite because he was dangerous. He was my favorite
May you like
because he knew when not to be.”
Marco said nothing.
