A small gesture.
Desperate.
Ricardo tried to sound firm.
“Sir, there was a confusion of identity. If you cooperate, we can solve this quickly.
Don Manuel looked at him with a calm that hurt.
Cooperate? I've been cooperating for almost an hour while you violate my rights, suppress federal alerts and turn a police abuse into conspiracy.
Sergio paled.
“Inspector, what is he talking about?
Richard hit the table.
“Shut up, Molina.
Don Manuel turned his head to Sergio.
“Agent Molina wants to know what I’m talking about. Let's talk, then.
The room was silent.
“You tore a newspaper from my hands. He threw it in my face. He pushed me against a bench. He forced me to kneel in front of eighty witnesses, including a five-year-old girl crying asking why the cop was so bad. He hit my head against the car door. Everything's recorded.
Sergio backed down.
I didn’t know who you were.
“That doesn’t make him innocent. It just shows that it treats people like that when they think no one can defend themselves.
Alberto tried to intervene with a politician’s voice.
“Gentlemen, let’s breathe. We can surely come to a beneficial understanding for all.
Don Manuel looked at him.
Alberto’s smile died.
“Councilor Flores, you attended seventeen budget meetings in eight months. He asked very specific questions about federal resources, audits and investigative teams. I answered all of him.
Alberto swallowed saliva.
I go to many meetings. I can't remember every detail.
“I do. Because while you were faking institutional interest, I was investigating eighty-nine million in inflated contracts, illegal commissions and municipal money laundering.
Silence fell like a slab.
“Every smile of his was documented. Every call. Every transfer. Every favor. You wanted to know how much we knew. Now I tell you: everything.
Alberto looked for his cell phone.
There was no sign.
Don Manuel watched him.
Are you looking for your contacts? Judges friends? Businessmen? Someone who owes you favors? They can't help you.
In the distance, sirens were heard.
First soft.
Then closer.
Ricardo ran to the window.
He saw the black vans entering the parking lot.
Two federal vehicles behind.
Agents coming down with vests.
Sergio whispered:
