CHAPTER 8 — Javier Finally Told the Truth
Three days later, federal agents located Javier in an abandoned hunting lodge near the Oklahoma border.
He didn't resist.
He looked exhausted.
Sleep-deprived.
Terrified.
When Alexander entered the interrogation room, Javier refused to look up.
"I never wanted Sofia hurt."
Alexander remained standing.
"But you let it happen."
Javier closed his eyes.
"My mother said it was tradition."
Alexander slammed both hands onto the table.
"No."
"Tradition doesn't leave bruises."
"Tradition doesn't lock doors."
"Tradition doesn't threaten murder."
For several long seconds Javier couldn't speak.
Finally...
"I was afraid of her."
Alexander's expression never changed.
"So was your father."
Javier looked up in shock.
"You knew my father?"
"I represented him once."
The room became silent.
"My father told you?"
Alexander nodded.
"He wanted to leave."
"He never found the courage."
Javier began crying.
"It wasn't only my mother."
Alexander narrowed his eyes.
"Who else?"
Javier swallowed hard.
"A man named Victor Salazar."
The name hit Alexander like lightning.
Elena had never heard it before.
The federal agents immediately began searching their database.
Within minutes one investigator turned pale.
"Victor Salazar doesn't officially exist."
"What do you mean?"
"He has no driver's license."
"No birth certificate."
"No tax records."
"No criminal record."
"It's as if..."
"...someone erased him."
Javier leaned forward.
"Everyone obeyed him."
"Even Carmen."
"He said Sofia's condo contained something worth more than money."
Alexander slowly stood.
"So I was right."
"This was never about real estate."
Javier reached into his pocket.
"I stole something before I ran."
He placed a tiny brass key onto the table.
"I found it in Victor's envelope."
Alexander stared at the key.
It carried a small engraving.
Vault 17.
No address.
May you like
No bank name.
Only two words.
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