Chapter 15 - The Confession Dr. Velasco Could No Longer Carry
Dr. Javier Velasco surrendered two days later.
He walked into a federal prosecutor's office carrying a briefcase.
Inside were thirty years of guilt.
Medical files.
Payment records.
Letters from Esther.
And the original hospital note documenting Lucia's final words.
Velasco requested immunity consideration in exchange for cooperation.
Alejandro wanted him imprisoned immediately.
The investigators wanted information.
They got it.
Velasco admitted Esther had contacted him when Lucia became pregnant.
At first, she only wanted information.
Later, she asked questions about medications that could cause bleeding.
He claimed he never supplied anything to Esther directly.
But he admitted explaining how certain compounds could create symptoms that resembled natural clotting disorders.
That knowledge was enough.
Years later, when Eduardo became sick, Velasco recognized the symptoms.
He suspected Esther.
But he remained silent because she still possessed evidence of his earlier misconduct.
When Valeria became pregnant, Esther called him again.
"She told me Valeria was unstable."
"She asked me to keep her calm."
An investigator leaned forward.
"What did that mean?"
"Delay testing."
"Minimize symptoms."
"Prevent outside specialists from becoming involved."
"Did you know she was poisoning Valeria?"
Velasco began crying.
"I knew it was possible."
"That isn't what I asked."
Velasco closed his eyes.
"Yes."
Alejandro watched through the observation glass.
Valeria was not there.
He had refused to let her hear this part until her doctors believed she was strong enough.
The investigator continued.
"What was Esther trying to accomplish?"
Velasco wiped his face.
"At first she wanted Valeria to miscarry."
Alejandro's hands clenched.
"Later, when Valeria reached the second trimester, Esther became afraid an unexplained miscarriage would attract attention."
"So what changed?"
Velasco whispered.
"She decided to create a medical crisis during childbirth."
Alejandro felt nausea rise.
"A hemorrhage?"
"Yes."
"One severe enough that doctors might have to choose between saving the mother and saving the baby."
The room went silent.
"What outcome did Esther want?"
Velasco looked toward the floor.
"Either."
Alejandro stepped away from the glass.
He could not hear another word.
Rafael followed him into the hall.
Alejandro pressed both hands against the wall.
"She didn't care which one died."
Rafael said nothing.
"She just needed one of them gone."
His phone buzzed.
A message from Valeria.
BABY KICKED HARD ENOUGH TO WAKE ME.
I THINK HE'S ALREADY STUBBORN LIKE YOU.
Alejandro stared at the words.
Then he laughed.
It turned into tears before he could stop it.
He sat on a hallway bench.
For the first time since this began, he let himself cry.
Not for the company.
Not for his father.
Not for the lie surrounding his birth.
For the fact that Valeria and his son were still alive.
Rafael sat beside him.
After several minutes, Alejandro spoke.
"Where is Esther?"
"We're narrowing it down."
"Velasco gave investigators three properties."
"One belongs to a foundation shell company near Valle de Bravo."
Alejandro wiped his face.
"Search it."
"They already are."
Rafael's phone rang before he could stand.
He answered.
His expression changed immediately.
"What?"
He listened.
Then looked at Alejandro.
"They found the property."
"And?"
"No Esther."
"But they found the cassette."
Alejandro stood.
May you like
Rafael continued.
"And a room filled with photographs of Valeria."
