I looked at her.
—Do you think she’s dead?
Natalia fell on the edge of the bed.
—I don’t know. In that environment, people don’t disappear by moving to another city. It disappears because someone pays so it doesn’t make noise.
I refused to accept that idea without evidence. I took my laptop out of my bag, plugged in the memory, and opened the folders. There were account statements, email captures, copies of contracts, photographs of meetings in private restaurants in Mexico City and a folder called “Camino Real”. Inside, an image taken from the hotel lobby showed Nuria Kessler next to a tall, dark-suited man in profile. I enlarged the photo and noticed that Natalia was stiffening next to me.
It wasn’t Alejandro.
But we knew him.
—It’s Julián Orive —I said quietly.
Julián was the main partner of the consulting firm where my husband worked. An elegant, educated man, with that impeccable coldness of those who never raise their voices because they don’t need it. Alejandro admired him. He had said many times that he owed him part of his career.
We continue reviewing files. In several emails, Julián’s name appeared replaced by initials: JO. In an especially clear one, Nuria wrote: “Delivery will be made through the usual channel. Alejandro knows nothing and will continue not to know as long as he retains his position.”
I read the sentence twice.
—Alejandro doesn’t know anything —I repeated.
Natalia leaned over the screen, trembling.
—So they have used it.
That fit better with the man she lived with. If Julián had asked him to pick up a package or buy a reserved piece “for a client”, Alejandro would have obeyed without suspicion. It was exactly the kind of ambiguous assignment that a loyal employee would fulfill to please a powerful boss.
But the conclusion did not reassure us; It made everything worse. If Julian had used Alexander as an involuntary messenger, it was because he wanted to issue a warning without exposing himself. And if the dress had reached Natalia, he knew perfectly well where to hit.
—We have to get him out of the office right now —said.
I called Alejandro. He answered the third tone, in a low voice.
—Elena, I can’t talk. I’m entering a meeting.
—Listen to me carefully. You have to get out of there.
Silence.
—What’s happening?
—Not by phone. Can you invent an emergency?
—Elena…
—Do it.
