CHAPTER 9
When it all began
ARI
"Now you'll have to wait here. I'll take care of you while your parents are interviewed by the detective," Garcia told me as the nurse injected me with a tranquilizer that would put me to sleep. "Sorry, but your parents are worried you'll make bad decisions."
I tried to keep my eyes open, staring at the white wall. I was already more asleep than awake, and my head was starting to thump from side to side as my eyes watered. But I couldn't speak.
"Lie down," he said as he took my head and rested it on his shoulder, and I stopped struggling. I closed my eyes, letting my tears fall.
I was tired. Too tired.
If I was free… why did I feel controlled?
......
Detective Johnson
"Well, let's start the interrogation. I understand you were left in Ari's care when the murder occurred when he was a child. Did you agree to let him be your responsibility?" I asked Ari's father, who had become agitated a few moments
earlier.
I visited this country on Elite-related matters, but over time, I was informed that several young women were disappearing and no one was investigating. Somehow, in the United States, we came to the conclusion that perhaps all these cases were connected, since the culprits were powerful enough to hide all their crimes.
I felt some relief knowing that a young woman might have contact, or had contact, with someone working for the Elite. That would be a major step forward in identifying someone close and advancing the investigation. But seeing her in that state, I worried that she wasn't ready for the interrogation.
I decided to start with the others: his parents, friends, and even the police officers involved.
"I agreed. I never had a problem. I always wanted children, and I couldn't be more grateful to be able to raise Ari after what happened to him," he replied, bringing the glass of water to his lips.
—And your wife?
"It was difficult at first because we had an agreement not to have children. But I know he loves Ari just as much as I do, like his daughter," he responded quickly. I noticed he wasn't lying: his body language
throughout this time was normal. He constantly looks at his phone, and I notice he has his chat with his daughter open. He just wants to see her.
Although he answers quickly, as if wanting to end the interrogation, I know he's telling the truth.
He doesn't lie.
A few minutes passed, and I didn't really feel the need to ask him anything else. He's not the person I'm looking for. He doesn't have any important information, either.
Then we move on to a more relevant person in the case.
Liam
"Have a seat. You're Liam, aren't you?" I said, confirming his identity.
"Yes," he replied. He hunched his shoulders, and I could tell he was nervous. Then he pushed his chair back a little before sitting down.
I saw his eyes watering, but his expression was serious. He was good at pretending to be okay, because everyone seemed to have pegged him as a closeted groupie, someone who wouldn't open up to just anyone.
But Ari made it.
"How are you feeling? Those statements were strong. Now you know more," I said, remembering Ian's confession that Liam never hit Ari.
I watched his reaction: he lowered his arms from the table and just nodded.
"It's hard to believe, because even I felt like a piece of garbage," he replied, in a tone that surprised me for someone his age.
"We'll do more research, but I really don't think the detainee is lying," I said, trying to offer some support. But I noticed him move his leg and brush against mine under the table. He moved it slightly, but quickly, as if trying to calm himself.
—But anyway, this is my fault.
-Because you said so?
"Didn't you see how she is?" she said, referring to Ari's condition. "She wasn't like that before, but since she was with me..."
—No, Liam. It's not your fault. The only guilty ones are out there, and we already caught one.
"I don't understand her. I really don't understand her," he said. Did he mean Ari?
—What don't you understand?
—Why did she stay with me? She'd said she'd had several opportunities to escape… And even if she'd left me with Dylan, I didn't blame her. Because if she ran away, he'd leave her alone.
"I don't think I would have left her alone. That kind of person stalks their victims in an impressive way."
—But I don't understand... why?
—Because he knew you were a threat. And he was probably surprised that she didn't leave you, despite everything.
—She's a fool.
—Although it sounds unlikely, tell me... if it were the other way around, would you have left her? A situation that involved danger for her or for you.
"No. I'm not going to leave her. I couldn't... and I wouldn't bear to," he replied bluntly, which made me smile. They weren't together, but they would give everything for each other.
—I'm glad to hear it, young man. I don't usually say this, especially in situations like this, but fight for her.
I have a son his age, and I hope one day he'll fall in love with Ari like you are. Because you are... aren't you?
—Yes. I have been since I met her.
"So, Liam, if you're determined to find the culprit, you must agree that Dylan isn't the guy we're looking for," I said, trying to provoke a response that would help me advance my suspicions.
"Are you saying Ari made a mistake?" he asked, confused.
—No. I'm saying she lied. Don't get me wrong, but Ari knows more than she's letting on. I'm sure she did it all to confuse us, especially Ian. I saw him after she spoke to him, and he started laughing, saying she was stupid and would die like all the others.
"I thought she was smarter, but she's not even close to knowing who it is," Ian replied as we escorted him away in handcuffs. "I really want to see her face when she figures out who it is. Too bad I'll be here," he added with a sigh and a mocking laugh.
"And you think Ari knows who he is? Maybe we don't even know him," Liam said, still doubting my theory.
—No, I'm absolutely sure she knows. No one doubted it. Not even you when she screamed to everyone that Dylan was the culprit. I know she wants to end this before I find out who she really is.
"Do you suspect anyone?" he asked me.
—Yes, but that's not the point now. What matters is knowing who's to blame for her. That's the point.
—Can you tell me how you came to the conclusion that she is hiding the culprit from us?
—Because we're underestimating her. I have theories... Maybe, when she was drugged, there were moments when she saw the culprit's true face. But one thing is certain: her dreams are a great confirmation.
—Dreams?
—Yes. She's had dreams about this even before it happened. Her psychologist said Ari really knows who the culprit is, but she needs to confirm it for herself.
—I didn't know...
—She hid it from you, but she has her reasons. Both you and she are going through difficult times.
That's why I'm asking you to spend more time with her. If anything unusual happens, you must let me know.
And if he confesses anything to you, come with me immediately.
-I will do that.
—I questioned Jeff, his best friend, first, but I didn't tell him all of this. I'm giving you this information because I thought he'd trust him more… but I noticed he'd choose you over anyone else. He trusts you more.
Her father knows, as does her mother, and they'll be on the alert. They'll be spending more time with her at home. Everyone must do their part to keep Ari alive. I'm sorry to say this is just the beginning... and you're facing something much deeper.
—I'll help him.
I knew he'd be willing. Before taking on the case, I had to research each of them, long before questioning them, even Ian. I observed their routines; I wanted to know if what they were telling me was true or if they
were hiding something.
But I did actually stop to wonder if Liam was really a victim, since everything pointed to the fact that he wasn't. However, seeing him from a distance, before having any contact with him, I noticed something different. As we left high school, his expressions changed whenever Ari was near or in sight.
He avoided her at all costs inside school, although he would often turn around just to look at her for a few seconds. When she smiled and he noticed, his expression lit up. If Ari was late leaving, he would stay, even if his classes were already over, especially after
the recorded attacks; he protected her even when she'd promised to stay away. And when he saw
them coming for her or her leaving with Jeff, he'd pack up his things and leave.
Then she understood that he had no bad intentions; all he wanted was for her to be safe, since he hadn't managed to do so when she was still with him.
Liam left, saying goodbye and thanking me. Then I checked the interrogation list.
I would continue with them another day, but first I had to talk to one of the friends, who, at her own request, seemed concerned and said she wanted to talk about the case.
"Give me your name," I said to the girl who rushed into the room and sat down quickly.
"Camila Fernández," she answered, but my attention was drawn to her cell phone, which was lighting up with notifications every second.
—What's up? I have an interview with you tomorrow; I've already informed your parents.
—The thing is… they keep bothering me. They flood me with anonymous messages and I don't know what to do.
Like the messages Ian said he had when Jeff went to ask him?
—What messages?
—They keep sending me the same message since Ian's been detained, they won't leave me alone. But they're strange signals that I don't understand. I feel like it has something to do with it because I get a strange feeling in my body, as if something's about to happen.
"Show it to me." She nodded and unlocked her phone, handing it over so he could see one of the many messages with the same characters: @AccountDeactivated2008.
".- -- -... .- .-. / ... . .-. .- / ... . -.-. ..- . ... - .-. .-
-.. .-".
—It's Morse code. Let me speak to one of my colleagues so they can translate it.
"Yeah, fine." I got up from my seat and left the room to check on Sebastian, who was sipping on a cup of coffee to keep him awake until dawn.
—Come, I need your help.
[...]
ARI
"Ari, what do you prefer, strawberry or grape?" Amber said as she looked at the store's refrigerator.
I was carrying some cookies to eat with her, since she'd had the idea of coming to my house, and I agreed. Her company has never bothered me, but I must admit I felt I needed to isolate myself, not to make myself a victim, but so they'd stop looking for me.
"Strawberry," I replied, looking at her straight, well-groomed hair, wondering when she started taking better care of herself. "I'm glad to see you're doing better, you too."
I knew she was also going through difficult times at home, so I knew that we were both, in some way, seeking refuge in our friendship.
"Well, my dad is calmer," she replied with a smile. "Besides, my grades went up, and they're happy."
"I'm glad, but it's also not right for his treatment to depend on your grades or his mood or whatever. That's why I didn't go over to say hi," I replied sincerely, and she pushed me toward the register, indirectly telling me to shut up.
"Stop worrying about me, you already have enough problems," he replied.
"You're still my friend, so I still care about you," I told her, to which she smiled and I reciprocated slightly.
My phone started vibrating and I reached for my pants pocket to grab it.
—Look, it's Jeff.
He looked at us through the glass door while holding his cell phone to his ear.
My expression turned confused as he touched his head and suddenly looked surprised.
My phone rang again and this time I answered the call.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"Ari, it's detective. Is Amber with you?" The voice was racing, and the police alarm blared in the background, as if he were driving.
—Yes, we're together. We came to a store near my apartment to buy some food before heading home.
Did something happen, Detective?
—Leave the store right now and get in the car. Right now!
I looked at Amber, who approached Jeff to say hello, and he looked at me as if he already knew what they were saying.
—But why? I don't understand.
—They sent Camila a message about a kidnapping... a kidnapping that will happen to Ámbar if they don't act immediately and get to safety.
I immediately put down my phone and took Ámbar by the arm to leave the store without taking anything we had bought.
"Come on, Amber, let's go!" I said desperately, looking outside, worried because there was no one waiting for us.
"What's wrong, Ari?" he asked, slipping out of my grasp.
I looked at Jeff.
—Did they call you from the police too?
"Yes, it was García who told me about the message. He was surprised and called me immediately when he found out," Jeff replied, and I looked at Ámbar, who was looking at us, confused, not understanding.
"What are you talking about? What message?" he asked, and I looked at the camera in the corner of the ceiling, above the tent wall.
Then I looked at her.
—About a kidnapping.
—Of you!?
—No, from you, Amber. You're in danger.