Tae and Tia met everyone back at the hotel an hour later. When Tia told Julieta about their quandary, her sister responded with the answer.
“Señora Ramirez.”
“What?”
“Our old neighbor.”
“I know who she is, Julieta. What about her?”
“She’s sure to have a tape player lying around. Let’s go visit her.”
“Of course! Good idea.”
Tae and Jin insisted on going with the girls to visit their old neighbor. They asked if they could borrow the tape player. Julieta was very careful. She didn’t want to involve the elderly woman in any way. They still didn’t know how dangerous the Gonzalez family really was. Tia agreed that it was prudent to be cautious.
They took the player back to their hotel room and were joined by seven young men and their bodyguards. The guards stayed in the hallway. Tia nervously put the tape labeled “Auntie” into the player. She pressed the play button.
“Hello, Auntie. If you’re listening to this, then I am most likely gone. If that is the case, I am so sorry, baby. Know that I loved you with my last breath. Both of you.”
Tia, her eyes overflowing with tears, met Julieta’s eyes. They were both crying now. Neither of them had heard their father’s voice in ten long years. Now this precious tape had surfaced. Their papá’s well-modulated tone continued while Jin translated his words into Korean, so the other men could understand.
“If you have found this tape, then most likely I lost my battle with Pedro. I discovered yesterday that he was behind the attack against my character and the criminal charges that were brought against me. He is after my shares in the company.
“I came across a series of tapes, recordings Carlos, our business partner, made. Including some conversations that he had had with Pedro. Carlos is the man who originally accused me. Everything you need to see them both prosecuted is on the tapes. Pedro admits that he is in league with Carlos. They also made a deal that if I was not convicted, Carlos would sell his stock to Pedro. I imagine this will come out later.
“I’m hoping I’ll still be here to see them both convicted and sent to prison. I’m looking for more evidence now. I hesitate to take the tapes to the district attorney right now because I know that Pedro has friends in that office. I am trying to decide what to do.”
He paused for a moment. It was clear that he was speaking to someone momentarily. Julieta recognized her mother’s voice and felt another pang. Then his voice returned. “Know that I love you both. Forever. You are the greatest heroines in my life.” That was a reference to Julieta. Their father had often teased her about being named after Romeo’s true love.
They all listened for a couple more minutes, but the tape had clearly come to its end. He had recorded nothing more. Tia and Julieta stared at one another.
“Papá’s last words to us both,” Julieta whispered.
“And Mamá’s voice too,” Tia murmured. She reached for her sister. They stood hugging each other as they wept for several minutes. Meanwhile, the guys all looked at each other.
“I, for one, want to hear what’s on those tapes. Let’s see if Julieta’s father knew what he was talking about,” murmured Yoongi.
Everyone nodded. Tae picked up a tape and put it into the player. He pressed the play button, and they all waited with bated breath for the voices to begin speaking.
