Chapter 8 - THE CAMERA IN THE KITCHEN
We watched the footage in Gabriel’s office.
I wanted Isabella asleep before we played it.
She stayed with Marta in the guest wing.
For the first time since I came home, I saw her relax around another adult.
That allowed me to focus.
The kitchen camera showed everything Marta described.
Beatriz entered at 8:12 a.m.
Isabella followed carrying a laundry basket.
The basket was so full she could barely see over it.
Marta immediately took it from her.
Beatriz said something.
No audio.
But her body language was unmistakable.
Anger.
Marta pointed at Isabella’s hands.
Beatriz pointed toward the door.
Then Mateo entered.
My estate administrator.
My employee.
My trusted representative.
He spoke to Marta for less than a minute.
He placed an envelope on the counter.
She pushed it back.
Then he stepped toward Isabella.
He crouched.
He smiled.
A friendly smile.
The kind adults used when they wanted to hide threats.
The camera microphone had weak audio.
Gabriel amplified it.
Mateo’s words emerged through static.
“Your father has important work.”
“You don’t want to be the reason he loses everything, do you?”
Isabella shook her head.
“Then don’t make trouble.”
“You call him when Beatriz says.”
“You tell him you’re happy.”
“You understand?”
My hands tightened.
Isabella nodded.
Mateo patted her shoulder.
Then he looked directly toward Marta.
“Children learn quickly.”
I stood.
Gabriel stopped the video.
“There’s more.”
“I know enough.”
“No.”
“You need all of it.”
He played the final minutes.
Beatriz and Mateo were alone in the kitchen.
Beatriz kissed him.
Then she laughed.
The microphone captured her clearly.
“He really thinks I’m playing mother.”
Mateo answered,
“Three more months.”
“Then we’re done.”
Beatriz poured herself wine.
“What about the girl?”
Mateo shrugged.
“Boarding school.”
“She’ll be happier.”
Beatriz laughed again.
“Anywhere I don’t have to look at her.”
I turned away.
That part hurt differently.
The financial fraud was understandable in the ugliest way.
Money.
Greed.
Opportunity.
But Isabella had been collateral.
A child punished because her existence inconvenienced two adults planning a future.
Gabriel shut the laptop.
“This is evidence.”
“Yes.”
“We should contact police tonight.”
“Not yet.”
He stared at me.
“You cannot confront them alone.”
“I’m not going to.”
“Then what are you doing?”
I looked at the closing papers.
“Mateo believes the sale happens tomorrow.”
“He believes I’m still in Dubai.”
“Beatriz knows you’re here.”
“Yes.”
“But she doesn’t know what I know.”
Gabriel understood.
May you like
“You want them to move.”
“I want them to show us the whole plan.”
