Chapter 13 - What Happened to Ricardo
Dr. Salgado had not altered Ricardo’s brakes.
But he knew who had.
According to his statement, Marcela came to him after a violent argument with her father.
Ricardo had threatened to remove her from every family company.
He planned to turn over the art-trafficking records.
Marcela was terrified.
She asked whether there was medication that could make someone confused while driving.
Salgado refused.
Two days later, Ricardo died in the crash.
Salgado never reported the conversation.
He was afraid.
Then Marcela began paying him for silence.
Camila still needed proof.
A frightened doctor’s memory was not enough to establish murder.
That proof came from Warehouse 14.
Investigators finally searched the facility.
Behind pallets of stone tiles, they found an office sealed with a metal shutter.
Inside was Ricardo’s old desk.
A computer.
And a box of maintenance invoices.
One invoice came from a mechanic who had serviced Ricardo’s SUV the day before his death.
The mechanic was still alive.
His name was Jorge Castañeda.
When agents found him, he initially denied remembering anything.
Then Camila showed him the invoice.
Jorge began shaking.
He confessed.
Marcela had paid him to loosen a brake line.
She told him the vehicle would only be driven inside a private estate.
She claimed the goal was to frighten her father after an argument.
Jorge believed her.
When Ricardo died on the highway, Jorge realized what he had done.
Salcedo paid him to disappear for several months.
Then threatened his family if he ever spoke.
Alejandro listened to the recorded statement in silence.
Valeria sat beside him.
He finally whispered.
“My sister killed our father.”
There was no dramatic explosion.
No shouting.
Only grief.
Raw and delayed by seven years.
Alejandro covered his face.
Valeria put her arm around him.
For several minutes, he said nothing.
Then his phone rang.
Marcela.
Alejandro stared at the screen.
Camila signaled for him to answer.
“Hello.”
Marcela sounded breathless.
“You believe them?”
Alejandro closed his eyes.
“Where are you?”
“That doesn’t matter.”
“Did you kill Dad?”
Silence.
Then Marcela laughed softly.
“He was going to destroy us.”
Alejandro’s face hardened.
“That is not an answer.”
“He was going to send Mother to prison.”
“He was going to destroy the company.”
“He was going to leave us with nothing.”
“You cut his brakes.”
Marcela’s breathing changed.
“I only wanted him to stop.”
Alejandro felt tears in his eyes.
“He did stop.”
“Forever.”
Marcela began crying.
“I didn’t know he would take the highway.”
Camila pointed toward the recorder.
Alejandro continued.
“And Valeria?”
Marcela went silent.
“Did you plan to drug my wife too?”
The call ended.
But it was enough.
Camila stood.
“We have her admitting motive and knowledge.”
Alejandro looked at her.
“Find my sister.”
Camila nodded.
“We will.”
Valeria stared at the dark phone screen.
May you like
Something told her Marcela was not running away.
She was preparing one final move.
