Chapter 12 - THE MOTHER WHO LET HIM TAKE THE FALL
Mateo finally agreed to see Rosa.
She entered the visitation room looking ten years older than she had during his trial.
No makeup.
No pearl earrings.
No Gabriel beside her.
She sat.
Mateo remained standing.
“Look at me.”
Rosa did.
“Did you see Daniela alive that night?”
“Yes.”
The answer nearly knocked the air out of him.
“What happened?”
“She was angry.”
“At Gabriel?”
“At both of us.”
“Why you?”
“Because I asked her not to report the money yet.”
Mateo sat slowly.
“You knew he was stealing.”
“I knew he borrowed from the business.”
“He stole.”
Rosa closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Did he kill her?”
“I didn’t see the blow.”
“What did you see?”
Rosa’s voice broke.
“I went outside because Elena was crying upstairs and Daniela told me to leave. I heard something fall. When I came back, Daniela was on the floor.”
“And Gabriel?”
“Standing over her.”
Mateo stared.
“What did he say?”
“That she grabbed the fireplace tool. That he pushed her away.”
“Did you believe him?”
Rosa hesitated.
That hesitation answered him.
“Mom.”
“I wanted to.”
Mateo looked toward the wall.
“And then you left?”
“Gabriel said we had to think.”
“You left Daniela dying on the floor?”
“She was breathing.”
“You didn’t call 911?”
Rosa started crying.
“I was afraid.”
Mateo leaned forward.
“My wife died while you were afraid.”
“I know.”
“My daughter hid upstairs while you were afraid.”
“I know.”
“I went to prison while you were afraid.”
“I know.”
Rosa covered her face.
Mateo did not comfort her.
After a while she whispered, “I kept telling myself Gabriel made one terrible mistake.”
“And me?”
She lowered her hands.
“You were innocent.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Rosa looked at him.
Mateo’s voice became quiet.
“What did you tell yourself I was?”
She could not answer.
He answered for her.
“Survivable.”
Rosa’s face collapsed.
“You thought I could survive prison because admitting the truth would destroy Gabriel.”
“I’m sorry.”
Mateo shook his head.
“No. You’re sorry now that the choice is visible.”
She flinched.
He stood.
Rosa reached toward him.
“Mateo, please.”
He stopped.
“Correct your testimony.”
“I will.”
“Not for me.”
Rosa stared.
“For Elena.”
He left the room.
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Three days later Rosa’s attorney contacted the state.
She was ready to provide a formal statement.
