Chapter 17 - SOFIA'S SIDE
Sofia called before sunset.
“I know what this looks like.”
“Then explain it.”
“I didn’t take Carmen’s money.”
“The cashier’s check paid your rent.”
“She paid it without telling me.”
“Why?”
“Because she wanted leverage.”
Sofia sent screenshots.
Months earlier, Carmen had offered to cover Sofia’s rent if she signed the false affidavit against me.
Sofia refused.
Carmen paid anyway.
Then kept the receipt.
Insurance.
Blackmail.
A trap.
“I moved out because I thought police would think I was involved.”
“That was a terrible decision.”
“I know.”
She sounded exhausted.
“Where are you?”
“At my sister’s.”
“Tell Detective Greene.”
“I will.”
Then she hesitated.
“There’s something you should know.”
“What?”
“Carmen called Daniel yesterday.”
I looked toward him.
He was across the hotel suite playing blocks with Camila during his supervised visit.
“He didn’t tell me.”
“She said if he helped her leave the country, she’d give him half the money.”
My eyes went to Daniel.
“Did he agree?”
“I don’t know. She hung up before I heard his answer.”
I ended the call.
Daniel saw my face.
“What?”
“Your mother called you.”
He froze.
Then he nodded.
“When were you planning to mention it?”
“I already told Greene.”
That stopped me.
“She wanted me to drive her to Laredo.”
“And?”
“I said no.”
He pulled out his phone.
There was a recording.
Carmen’s voice.
Then Daniel’s.
“No, Mom. I’m done choosing you over my wife and daughter.”
Carmen laughed.
“You think Mariana will take you back?”
“I’m not doing it for that.”
Silence.
Then Carmen said something softer.
“You were always weak.”
Daniel replied, “Maybe. But I’m done making weakness everyone else’s problem.”
I looked at him.
For one second, I saw the man I had married.
Not enough to rebuild a marriage.
Enough to recognize a human being trying to change.
Then Detective Greene called.
Border patrol had stopped a woman using Valeria’s passport.
May you like
It was Carmen.
And she had Camila’s birth certificate in her purse.
