Chapter 10 - The Lawyer Who Knew Everything
Víctor Salcedo had served the Aranda family for twenty-four years.
He had handled Ricardo’s estate.
Alejandro’s corporate restructuring.
Marcela’s investments.
Esther’s trusts.
He knew where every financial body was buried.
Camila subpoenaed records linked to his private companies.
The results were explosive.
Several shell corporations that had purchased or transported the stolen artwork were connected to Salcedo.
Payments flowed through Panama.
Madrid.
Miami.
Geneva.
Then back into family-controlled accounts.
Alejandro stared at the financial charts.
“My mother couldn’t have done this without him.”
Camila nodded.
“And your sister couldn’t either.”
Salcedo was brought in for questioning.
He arrived with two attorneys.
He denied everything.
The shell companies were legitimate.
The art sales were private transactions.
Ricardo’s death was an accident.
Inés was confused.
Valeria was inexperienced.
Alejandro was emotional.
Camila let him talk.
Then she placed one document on the table.
A shipping authorization dated four days before Ricardo’s death.
Salcedo’s signature appeared beside Marcela’s.
Destination.
Warehouse 14.
Salcedo stopped smiling.
Camila placed down another.
An insurance policy on Ricardo’s life.
Beneficiary.
A family trust controlled by Esther.
Policy increased six weeks before the crash.
Salcedo requested a break.
He did not come back.
His attorneys claimed he had become ill and left through a side exit.
By the time agents reacted, his car was gone.
A federal alert was issued.
Alejandro’s phone rang forty minutes later.
Salcedo.
Alejandro put the call on speaker while Camila recorded.
“You should stop.”
Salcedo’s voice was calm.
Alejandro looked at Camila.
“Why?”
“Because your father made the same mistake.”
The room went silent.
Alejandro’s hand tightened around the phone.
“Was my father murdered?”
Salcedo paused.
“I said he made a mistake.”
“Answer me.”
“You want answers?”
“Ask your mother why the brake maintenance report disappeared.”
Then the line went dead.
Alejandro looked at Camila.
She was already issuing instructions.
Investigators reopened Ricardo Aranda’s crash file.
The original vehicle had been destroyed years earlier.
But the police report remained.
One line suddenly mattered.
Mechanical inspection incomplete due to family request for expedited vehicle disposal.
Who submitted the request?
Víctor Salcedo.
Who approved it on behalf of the family?
Esther Aranda.
Alejandro sat down.
Valeria touched his shoulder.
He looked devastated.
“My mother buried my father’s investigation.”
Valeria answered quietly.
“We still don’t know whether she caused his death.”
Alejandro looked at her.
May you like
“No.”
“But we’re about to ask.”
