—So… why was the police at my sister’s house?
“Because three weeks ago we detected a massive illegal transfer,” he said. “Millions of pesos moved through fake foundations. It all led to a single residential address.”
I swallowed.
“Whose?”
There was a long, heavy pause.
—From your sister.
I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
—That’s impossible. Mariana is a nurse
“That’s precisely why it worked,” he said. “They used her name and address without her knowing. Someone close to her was using her network and mailbox to move the money.”
My mind started putting pieces together.
—Her husband?
—Yes —Daniel replied—. Marco.
I thought about Marco’s forced smiles. His expensive watches. Those “consulting jobs” he could never quite explain.
“I discovered it last night,” he continued. “Marco wasn’t just laundering money. He’s linked to a criminal group under federal investigation. Arms trafficking. The money was the least of it.”
I felt nauseous.
—Then why the party?
“That’s when I panicked,” she said. “Marco didn’t know the operation was happening today, but he knew the net was closing in. When you told me you were there with Emma… I realized they might use you as hostages.”
My heart started racing.
—The police…?