Chapter 7 - THE UNRAVELING TRUTHThree days after Julian Mercer’s arrest, the full scope of the conspiracy exploded across national news networks.
It turned out that Mercer was the head of an international organ and illegal stem-cell trafficking cartel operating across Latin America. But the most horrifying detail came out during Graciela’s formal court hearing.
Detective Vargas met Adrián in the prosecutor’s office to present the final investigation report before trial.
"Mr. Salgado, there is something you need to hear from your mother’s official deposition," Vargas said solemnly, setting a recorder on the table and pressing play.
Graciela’s harsh, unrepentant voice filled the small room:
"Elisa wasn't supposed to survive those twenty-one days," Graciela’s recorded voice sneered cold-bloodedly. "Julian Mercer offered us $200,000 if we made sure she disappeared quietly. We were going to tell Adrián that she ran away with another man while he was in León. Once she died in that shed from heat and starvation, Mercer’s doctor was going to harvest her baby’s tissue for their private clinic, and then cremate her body in an industrial furnace."
Adrián felt as though the oxygen had been completely sucked out of his lungs.
His own mother had planned to murder his wife and harvest his unborn child for cash to clear her gambling debts.
"Where is she now?" Adrián whispered, his voice trembling with an unimaginable mixture of grief and disgust.
"She and Bruno have both been charged with attempted premeditated murder, human trafficking, and criminal conspiracy," Detective Vargas replied. "Given the evidence, your mother is facing life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Bruno accepted a plea deal to testify against Mercer and your mother, but he will still serve at least fifteen years."
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Adrián stood up slowly, adjusted his jacket, and looked Detective Vargas straight in the eye.
"Make sure they never get out," Adrián said cleanly. "I have no family left in that prison."
