Then he wrote another hidden word and one last one, waiting.
Gonzalo Fuentes arrived at the Santa María home two hours later, accompanied by two men in dark suits. He carried documents that supposedly returned temporary custody of Salomé to him.
Order from the Third Family Court, he announced, handing the papers to Carmela. Signed by Judge Aurelio Sánchez.
I’ve come to take my niece. Carmela examined the documents. They seemed legitimate, but something inside her screamed at her not to hand that girl over.
“I need to verify this with the relevant authorities,” he said.
I can’t release a minor without confirmation. The confirmation is in those papers, ma’am. Don’t waste my time. It’s not a matter of time, it’s a matter of protocol.
Gonzalo took a step forward, invading Carmela’s space. Listen carefully, that girl is my blood.
Her father is being executed tomorrow. She needs a family, not a charity home full of orphans. What that girl needs is protection, not more violence. Violence is accusing me of something.
