haven

Chapter 6 - The Arrival of Attorney Mateo

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Rodrigo stepped forward, puffing out his chest, attempting to deploy the aggressive swagger that had intimidated local contractors for years.

“Now listen here, Navarro,” Rodrigo barked, waving his blue legal folder. “I am Rodrigo Morales, managing director of Morales Capital. We hold the original, notarized spousal title conveyance executed by Neftalí Arismendi on October 14th! This property was deeded directly to his lawful wife!”

Attorney Mateo Navarro didn't even flinch. He looked at Rodrigo with the calm, predatory amusement of a lion watching a wounded hyena.

“Ah, the October 14th conveyance,” Mateo smiled thinly. “The document stamped by Notary Public Hector Salazar in Cuernavaca?”

Rodrigo blinked, taken aback. “Yes! Exactly! Salazar is a state-certified notary!”

“Notary Salazar was arrested by federal agents three hours ago at Mexico City International Airport,” Mateo announced smoothly. “He has already signed a comprehensive sworn confession detailing the forty-thousand-dollar bribe you wired him to forge Neftalí’s signature while Neftalí was hooked to life support at ABC Medical Center.”

Valeria let out a choked gasp, stumbling backward against the stone balustrade.

“Furthermore,” Mateo continued, gesturing to the forensic technician beside him, “Neftalí Arismendi never owned this mansion in his personal capacity. On the day of purchase six years ago, every dollar of the purchase capital was routed directly through an irrevocable trust established for his mother, Mrs. Eulalia Arismendi.”

“That old hag?!” Valeria shrieked, losing all composure, her voice cracking in hysterical fury. “She’s an illiterate mountain peasant! She doesn't own anything! I threw her out into the dirt where she belongs!”

“You threw her out,” Mateo said, his voice dropping into a register of terrifying coldness, “into the exact location where Neftalí left the master keys, the digital audit trails, and the complete video documentation of your conspiracy.”

The sound of a heavy, purring engine rumbled up the driveway.

A pristine black armored Suburban pulled to a stop at the foot of the stairs.

The rear passenger door opened.

A uniformed driver stepped out, opened an umbrella against the midday sun, and extended a gloved hand.

Stepping out of the vehicle was me.

I was no longer wearing the damp, mud-streaked funeral dress. I wore a tailored ivory wool coat, my hair neatly pinned, holding Neftalí’s silver-tipped walking cane in my right hand.

May you like

I looked up the grand marble steps at the woman who had told me to go die in the mountains.

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