Chapter 8 - MATEO MADE THE DECISION HIS MOTHER FEARED
Mateo did not want Elena dragged deeper into the case.
He also knew silence had already cost her three years.
Nina presented a choice.
The defense could move slowly, relying on the photograph, financial records, and inconsistencies.
Or Mateo could authorize a full post-conviction petition incorporating Elena’s forensic interview.
That would likely mean Elena’s account became part of litigation.
Her credibility would be challenged.
Her memory would be examined.
Gabriel’s attorneys, if he obtained counsel, could attack the interview.
Mateo hated every option.
“What would protect her?”
Nina answered carefully.
“Nothing protects a child completely once adults have made her part of a crime.”
He looked through the visitation glass toward nothing.
“And if I leave her statement out?”
“You may weaken your best evidence.”
Mateo closed his eyes.
He imagined Elena at twenty.
Old enough to understand he had remained imprisoned partly because he could not bear to let anyone question her.
Would that feel like protection?
Or another adult deciding what she could handle?
“Use it.”
Nina nodded.
“There’s something else.”
“What?”
“Rosa still has legal guardianship.”
Mateo looked up.
“If evidence suggests she concealed information or allowed Gabriel continued access to Elena after knowing he had threatened her, child-welfare authorities may review the arrangement.”
“Where would Elena go?”
“We don’t know.”
Mateo nearly withdrew everything.
Then he stopped.
This was the same trap his family had lived inside for years.
Do nothing because consequences might be uncomfortable.
Protect stability even when the stability was built on a lie.
“File it.”
The petition was submitted.
Two weeks later the state requested additional time to respond.
A child-welfare caseworker interviewed Rosa.
Gabriel was told not to contact Elena during the review.
He responded by calling Mateo’s prison unit repeatedly, attempting to add himself to Mateo’s approved contact list.
Mateo refused every request.
Then Gabriel sent a letter.
One page.
You’re going to take Mom down with me just to prove you were right.
Mateo read it twice.
Not:
I didn’t do it.
Not:
Elena is wrong.
Not:
Daniela’s death had nothing to do with me.
Gabriel’s greatest fear appeared to be Rosa.
Mateo handed the letter to Nina.
“Why would he say Mom goes down with him?”
May you like
Nina looked at the sentence.
“That’s what we need to find out.”
