“Pedro is up to no good. He’s been skimming money from the company. I found a second set of books. He has no idea that I copied the ledger or where I’ve hidden it. But when the time comes, I’ll have all the proof I need. I’m getting ready to confront him.”
The third tape ended there. They all decided Carlos must have recorded it before he confronted Pedro on the second tape they had already listened to. Tia put the fourth tape into the player.
“What are we going to do now? Juan was acquitted!” It was Carlos’s voice, and he was clearly panicking.
“We will proceed with our original plan. You will sell me your shares. Right now. If it becomes necessary, you will take the fall. And I will see to it that your daughter is well-provided for.”
There Pedro went again. Threatening the man’s daughter. He continued a moment later, “I heard she had a little accident at school yesterday.”
“What?” Carlos’s voice went up an octave. “What are you talking about?”
“Why don’t you call her right now and see how she is?”
A pause. Then Carlos’s voice sounded again. “Baby, are you all right?” Another pause. “You were pushed down a flight of stairs at school?” The man sounded horrified. “Are you all right?”
More waiting. “A broken ankle? Did you go to the doctor?… How did you pay for it?” Another pregnant pause, then Carlos responded, “Pedro called you? He talked to your mamá at the store in passing yesterday and found out you’d been hurt? And he offered to pay your doctor bill?” He paused for a few more moments before ending the call with, “But you’re all right? I mean, besides the broken ankle. You don’t need anything else? All right. Call me if you need anything, baby.” Then silence again for a moment.
Tae piped up, “His eyes must have been burning a hole through the back of Pedro’s head.”
“Yeah. Since we know Pedro is still alive. Though, I must admit, I’m surprised Carlos didn’t end him right then and there,” Jungkook muttered.
Just then, Pedro’s voice surfaced again. “And, Carlos?” Another pause. “Hand over the copy you made of the ledger. Before ten o’clock tonight. You know those staircases at the university are old and rickety. Especially the ones in the library where your daughter spends all her time.
“I will expect a visit from you this evening. I’ll be here until ten o’clock. With a security guard. So don’t get any bright ideas.”
The remainder of the tapes had details about money that had gone missing and what Carlos had found in the ledger. He admitted that he had to turn the ledger over to Pedro that night, but he had read all the pages of the ledger aloud and recorded his accounting on the tapes. No one knew if that was admissible evidence or not. But they determined to take all the evidence to the district attorney once they were certain that they had copies of the tapes. The boys had decided they would consult with attorneys in Buenos Aires, the United States, and Korea before they brought any of the evidence forward.
Yoongi and Jungkook set out to find the equipment they needed to upload the tapes online. Hobi, Jimin, and Namjoon went to get some dinner and bring it back for everyone to share. That left Tae and Jin to console two brokenhearted girls. Tia and Julieta were feeling overwhelmed with all the evidence that Tío Pedro was actually no uncle at all. But rather, a predator who very likely had had their father killed. And their mother. It was absolutely horrifying.
It was one thing to suspect someone of evil. It was altogether another thing to suddenly have proof that the man was as wicked as Jin had suggested. They’d even heard the voice they’d known all their lives insinuating horrible things and admitting to evil plots. It was too much to take in at once. Tia and Julieta both felt like their minds were spinning out of control.
