Chapter 11 - The Price of Staying Quiet
"You don't look arrested," Carlos said, his smile thin now.
"You don't look worried about your wife," I answered.
Marta leaned into the camera. "We heard terrible rumors, sweetheart. We prayed all morning."
I kept my eyes on Carlos. "What do you know about the warehouse fire?"
His smile vanished. Only for a second, but I caught it.
"Your mother was careless with the wiring. You know that."
"I know someone turned off the sprinklers."
Marta pressed a hand to her chest. "Elena, please. Don't dig up the dead."
"Then tell me what happened."
Carlos stepped closer to his phone. "You're exhausted. Sign the temporary management agreement and take some time off. We can handle everything until this mess blows over."
"This mess? You told people I was arrested."
"People say things when they're scared." He lowered his voice. "If you keep making accusations, the police may become interested in that package you moved into Mom's suitcase."
I felt cold despite the warm room. He knew. Someone had shown him hallway footage, or he'd guessed after checking the lining.
"You planted it," I said.
"Prove it."
For a moment, I saw the man behind all the pretty words. He wasn't angry because I'd suffered. He was angry because I hadn't suffered enough to give him what he wanted.
"I'm not signing anything," I said.
Carlos sighed as though I were a stubborn child. "Then don't blame me for what happens to your employees."
The call ended.
Pilar rang three minutes later. One of our refrigerated trucks had been locked inside a private depot by guards claiming an unpaid bill. The medicine inside was nearing its safety limit.
May you like
"I'll get it released," I told her.
"There isn't time," she said. "They're demanding cash, and the manager says he takes orders from someone named Samantha Price."
