Back then, Lucía had thought it was about money. Samuel and Oscar had been fighting more often. The repair shop had grown successful, and Oscar wanted a larger share though Samuel owned the business. There had been rumors of missing parts, unpaid debts, and a supplier who kept showing up after dark. Samuel had started sleeping badly. He had told Lucía he was going to fix everything after the children’s school festival.
He never made it.
The door opened again. Warden Harris returned with two officials, a prison attorney, and a chaplain who looked like he no longer knew whether he was there for a final prayer or a miracle. “Mrs. Sandoval,” the attorney said, “we are contacting the governor’s office and your last defense counsel. We need details immediately. Names, location, everything.”
Lucía looked at Camila. “Who can get into the old house?”
Camila swallowed. “Nobody. Oscar sold it.”
