The wife was about to become the mother of her first child, which would be enough for her. But the mayor's wish was that this was just the first in a series. During a massage session, in one of the saunas of one of the beautiful Rúbia's favorite hotels, one of her friends asks:“How are you feeling, darling, with this beautiful baby in your womb?”“I feel as if I have just acquired an off-plan project and that I will only be able to get rid of it in about twenty years.” Rúbia responds, showing concern.The friend automatically changes her face, as she is shocked by the way that mother looks at her own baby.“Just kidding...” says Rúbia, realizing that it wasn’t funny and adds “it took me by surprise and it hasn’t sunk in yet, the only feeling I have is that I’ve gained a few kilos in a short period of time.”“You guys never talked about this?” Questions her friend, showing surprise.“Things happened very quickly” he responds, being simplistic.“It should have been a matter between the
One morning, Rúbia was surprised by her own son, who seems to have touched her heart. She herself was surprised by the emotion she felt when she noticed the child moving, in her own womb, in response to the caresses she made instinctively. It was something different, a feeling that came from the inside out.For the first time, after everything she had been through, she began to feel a love unlike any she had ever experienced. Very intense and unique. Providing that beautiful mother with a deep desire to protect herself, because of what was inside her. Giving her a personal reason to live and a chance to feel happiness in life. Later, when she was alone with her housekeeper and confidant, having a snack in the kitchen, as usual, in the early hours of the morning, she said:“Before this,” he comments, stroking his own belly, “I had never felt anything so intense. Now, it's as if I communicate with him and it's as if he came to transform me..." confesses Rúbia, moved and adds "your words
Days, months and years later...The joy and euphoria gradually faded. Pregnancy after pregnancy, miscarriage after miscarriage. The will, gradually, seemed to be overcome by reality.Each sad experience added extra pain to her heart, making it calloused after the apparent scarring.On uncertain days, during sunset, it was common for everyone to witness a tall, Caucasian, bearded man with long, disheveled hair sitting on one of the benches in the beautiful garden inside the family cemetery.In front of him and around him are the pompous epitaphs of all members of his wife's family and one who shares his surname. One of them still has a girl's name, Brenda, and the three most recent ones just have dates of when they were declared dead in the womb and nothing more.In addition to the setting, similar to a paradise, full of life, the tombs conveyed an inanimate, lifeless void. The same pallor and lack of expression was on the face of the man who was present before what was left of the lar
Weeks later...“Each human being is nothing more than the result of the equation involving joys and sadness...” the old housekeeper thinks to herself as she hears that beautiful woman lament once again:“I can't escape myself, this is my structure, this is my being... reality hits me...When I look from my terrace, as soon as I wake up in the morning, I see some peasant women, with a simple life, walking hand in hand with their respective husbands and accompanied by one or more sons and daughters...I can see in their behavior that they chose them because they love them and the children are the fruits of this relationship. As I discreetly watch them from behind the curtains of my castle-like place.I start to question myself why I was born and the choices I made. What is the value of my position and appearance, envied by everyone around me?By the irony of chance... a natural part of life... which is reproduction, am I incapable or, perhaps, unworthy of having?” It reflects the unhapp
Weeks later...In an uproar, the majority of people in the region where the station has coverage began, not only to agree with what the religious fanatic commented, but also to add and spread it to those who did not have the chance to hear it live.It didn't take long and the target of the comments was already feeling the indifference of many people, from the simplest to the most educated, who live with her professionally. Some demonstrated discrimination, prejudice and even disgust at being in its presence or simply moving close to it.This trend was spreading and even those who admired her beauty and elegance began to look at her with contempt and disapproval. The unfortunate woman began to feel as if she had been stricken with a contagious disease or a real curse.About two months later...When Rúbia's car was following one of its usual routes, as part of its routine, it was common for the driver and now even the newly hired security guard to witness women spitting on the ground, m
Days later...A woman walking her dog in the central square meets another woman who was sitting on one of the wooden benches:“Hello, how are you, Marta!?”“Hi... good afternoon, Lídia... Alright... I was even going to stop by the market you work at today, at the end of the afternoon, to do a little shopping... for my sister...”"Which one? The one who is pregnant?” Marta asks, as she knows that her friend has more than one sister.“Yes, the ‘buchudinha’ really... She's very lazy...” reveals Lídia.“Is it fear of leaving the house?” Marta asks, lowering her voice."Like this? Fear of what?" Lídia questions, showing surprise.“Several pregnant women even try to avoid passing where Mrs. Rúbia passes.... I think this is an exaggeration, but there are people spreading the word that it could be bad luck, so many don't want to risk it.... There haven't been any cases of abortion here for a long time ..., but the fear is very great, one of them told me!” Marta says, making an expression of t
Months earlier, after the fifth and final miscarriage, the serene and irresistible doctor had a conversation with her and said:“Rúbia, my dear... Know that I treat you as if you were my own daughter, as I have been responsible for your health since you were born!” He remembers the doctor in a docile and friendly tone, but is interrupted by her.“I trust you with all my heart and I know that today I am well and... healthy, thanks to your dedication, all these years! I never doubt your competence in taking care of me in advance. That’s why I have him as a father, you know?” Sincerely.“And you are my beloved little daughter... Who I would die for, if necessary.” Appeals to the emotional.“There were people who advised me to go to the capital or even outside the country. Many told me to send for one or more doctors to treat me here... However, because I trusted you and, out of respect, I refused to even think about these possibilities!” She admits, excited.After hearing these sincere w
First session, first week...When sitting on a chair facing the couch, he organizes himself, placing a folder on his lap, which contains the initial information obtained via telephone. He takes a small recorder and the usual notepad out of his pocket to begin.Now on the exquisite red velvet divan, with legs that resemble a lion's paws, made of carved wood, which appear to be twisted and with golden details, is Rúbia. She runs her hand over the velvet and remembers her mother, who sat on it while being listened to by a man, who also visited her quite frequently. And they spent hours talking alone when her father was traveling and much less time when her father was at home.“Beautiful furniture!” Praise him.“It was imported from Europe, precisely from Portugal, as was all the furniture here. I confess that this baroque style, typical of a noble European residence, is not really my style, but it reminds me of my parents and... my childhood...” he reveals, with a certain nostalgia.The
As in a flashback, the old detective can review some words of his corrupt colleagues, where one of them said:“Santiago..., everything in life has a value..., it has a cost or a motivation. Tell me how much a fair... is worth? Some compliments like: congratulations on having done your duty well...!?But if we are paid for this and... if we are ready to receive payment for it, what value does praise have after a duty done? When you do what must be done, it is nothing more than a duty that we are morally obliged to...!”In parallel to this, investigator Santiago found himself receiving, not surgery for his wife, but what he received from a doctor and, from the health system that his taxes paid for, was a compliment.But even though at that moment the price paid for integrity was irrelevant to covering the old detective's real need. He remains intact until now, aiming to receive the agreed amount from the client who hired him, making it worth the effort for the service provided which, de
Now, since taking on this first case as a private investigator, he has enough to pay three professionals who come back every 8 hours to take care of his wife's needs at the most expensive hospital in the state.He passes straight through the double bedroom, which is more reminiscent of a hospital, and goes straight to the second bedroom where there is barely enough space for a wardrobe and, upon opening the doors, he looks for a specific set of clothes.He takes out a well-tailored black suit that he had only worn a few times, only on special occasions, and places it under the bed, then takes off the informal clothes he often wears and goes into the tiny bathroom to take a shower.When you change, you look like another man. Add a nice red tie and a pair of shiny shoes.One night he had had a nightmare where he performed the same ritual as now, but to go to his wife's funeral.He looks at one of the walls in the room and sees the last photo he took with her.The smile that became not o
“I'm sorry..., but the good news is that everything can be fixed, everything can be fixed..., even if it's just one way...If there is any unforeseen event, we will talk to you by phone. From today onwards, we won't see each other in public... I don't want you to suffer anything because of my recklessness in talking to that model and her ex-fiancé’s lawyer. The stupid thing was done by me.”, the old detective still laments.“I clearly understand, boss!”, she shows that she is willing to be guided by the old man, even though she knows that she still has a broader vision of everything that needs to be done and the necessary care.“Know that I will make an effort to overcome this situation that ended up exposing us to danger.... I still don't know how, but I have to find a way around it...Maybe releasing us from the case to the Police Department... anyway, I'll think about it.”, he says, showing concern.“I'll also think about something and, if I come up with an idea, I'll let you know,
“I got the message, honey. You can rest assured about me!I admit that it's good to hear this to be aware...Just a moment and I’ll give you the address and opening hours of the clinic”, he promises, as he opens his leather jacket and takes out his notepad.“Boss, if I finish it soon, I can go to the production company.It’s no problem for me... I could even pretend to be a fan or someone from the press, who knows...”, she suggests when offering.“It could be, but in cases like this, in my experience, the places we go to initially can take us to others successively, and if more and more is contributed to our line of investigation the best thing to do is to follow the flow or like me and my colleague called it: “the path of stones”.I didn't mention this to our contractor, but based on good investigative experiences, that's how it always worked in the cases in which Garcia and I got very far into the evidence. When we start an investigation, it guides us...What we need is similar to a
The next dayIn the same meeting place.During the days in which the two found out about the case they were supposed to investigate and were also able to meet in person, it was the time in which the suspect was on a series of recordings in different parts of the world in one of his own productions. Where he was also working as a director.Now, according to the actor's schedule, he is back in the country.The moment has come when the pair of investigators will have access to both the suspect and everyone professionally linked to him. Where, for the most part, I was also accompanying him on trips.One of the factors that led the client to believe that the third crime would happen on the same day as the others within a year was the detail of the suspect's agenda to bring him back to the same country where the last two occurred.“Now let’s start and the most challenging part of our work...?” asks investigator Rebecca or old detective."That's right! The list starts with one of the suspect
“But I see that even so, you appear to have overcome this, let’s say, deficiency in structuring.”, believes the old man.“Thank you, boss, but what you see now was the basis of a lot of therapy and medication..., which I still depend on.”, she confesses.“I'm very sorry, unfortunately I don't have much to say about this because I had a family who provided what I certainly needed...”, he reveals.“But it's okay... I'm surviving...!Thank you for listening to me, it made me feel better...”, she thanks.The old man's humble and sincere manner has always worked well in providing comfort to whoever he chooses to listen to.“My mouth doesn't always come out with the right words... and at the right time... on the other hand, my ears don't usually disappoint me...”, he acknowledges.“I understand..., but we ended up losing focus, boss. My story is another story. Let's focus on what brought us together. That's what interests us at the moment. After we help put this killer in jail, it will defi
“I don't know if it's any consolation, boss, but I was also in the corporation and at the time it also seemed like another system, or rather, it was another system.Now I'm also trying to understand... and adapt without having to take risks.In short: we don't know exactly who we are dealing with, but from the photos of the crimes I saw, even though there was an explicit degree of cruelty, which if it were made public would leave many people outraged.There is clear evidence that these crimes are being treated with total disregard by the bodies responsible for investigating them.We are not fools. Everything shows that whoever is behind all this has the power to intimidate, bribe and even silence people...”, she says, showing complete indignation.“What you are telling me makes sense and, given the fact that we, police officers, took an oath to commit ourselves to defending law and order...We must morally seek justice or justice to be done.I see that it seems that I have focused a l
“Now it makes sense that you were late. Disappeared in the blink of an eye, appeared only after the model left...”, understands the old man.Knowing that he was deceived by her was a very bad feeling for the old detective, as it went back to some episodes during his police career in which several colleagues deceived, manipulated and even accused him of treason.“I'm sorry, I'm really sorry... I even wanted to remind you about the importance of being discreet in accordance with what I had already studied and because it was one of the details highlighted by your client and, thus, justifying my absence.But I want to take this opportunity to say that there was still another factor that contributed to my sudden disappearance, which was when I noticed an agent, from the police department you were about to go to... coming towards us...”, she tries to complement and thus justifying even more abandonment to the boss. She made it clear that everything had gotten out of control.Boss, I hope I'
The two remain silent for a few moments. She worries more and more about her boss who proves to be a sprinter in a competition who already feels defeated, even before taking the first steps. Still behind the starting line.“Think about your wife who, despite being in the hands of professionals, sustained her life. This is only possible thanks to her determination to accept this case..., boss...”, she recalls.Listen This is nothing new for the old retiree.Before the assistant presented this scenario and the right thing to do, his conscience had already convinced him to do so after consulting his old heart.“But speaking of a valid motivation, which justifies commitment to a complicated and risky case like this Rebecca, tell me what motivates you to continue even though you seem to be, and in reality, are, much more aware of the complexity of the case than I am. ...?” asks the experienced investigator.“I asked myself that question too, boss.And I would have been left without a convi