Chapter 16 - The Last Message from Mariana
Detective Reyes interviewed Vanessa with her attorney present. At first, she denied being near Route 47. When Reyes showed her the cell-tower record, she changed her story.
"I drove out there after Ricardo called," she admitted. "I didn't know if Mariana was alive."
"Did you stop?"
"Behind his truck. Mariana's car was against the barrier. Ricardo said he'd hit her and panicked."
"Did you call emergency services?"
Vanessa looked down. "No. I was scared. Ricardo said he would go to prison. I told myself someone else would stop."
"You knew she was injured and left without calling for help."
Vanessa covered her face. She did not claim she had been in the truck or caused the collision. Investigators compared her account with the messages, phone records, witness statement, repair invoice, and crash report.
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Reyes played a saved voicemail from Mariana. Her voice was thin but clear: "Ricardo, I'm at the gas station off Route 47. I'm giving you one chance to tell Mateo about the invoices. If you follow me, I'm going straight to the police. I won't let you steal from him and then make him thank you for it." After a pause, she added, "I don't want Sofia growing up thinking family means covering for people who hurt you."
The next morning, Detective Reyes called. Ricardo had agreed to return for a second interview, this time with a lawyer.
