Vega's office was everything you'd expect from a man who thrived on power and corruption. Glass walls, polished floors, expensive suits that barely creased. But despite the wealth on display, there was a coldness in the air. A sense of control.
I stepped in without knocking.
The door wasn't locked. That told me everything I needed to know.
He looked up from his desk, the faintest hint of a smirk on his lips. "Del Valle," he said, as if he'd been expecting me. "You must be confused. I don't take appointments from forensic examiners."
I didn't smile. "I'm not here for an appointment."
Vega leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. "Then what are you here for?"
I placed the USB drive on his desk. He didn't flinch. His eyes stayed on me, calculating, reading. "I think you know exactly what this is."
Vega didn't blink. "That's a bold accusation. And I assume you think it's enough to ruin me?"
I didn't answer right away. There was something about Vega—his calmness, his arrogance—that irritated me. Like he knew I was playing his game, but had no idea what the stakes were.
"How many people had to die for your business to grow?" I asked, my voice cold.
His gaze didn't waver. "I don't know what you're talking about."
I leaned forward. "You know what happens when the dead start talking, Vega. And they are talking. They're telling me about workers who didn't die by accident. They're telling me about courtrooms where you pulled every string to make sure the truth stayed buried." I glanced at the USB drive. "And now, it's telling me that Beltrán was trying to fix it all."
His hands clenched on the desk, but his face remained unreadable. "You're making a big mistake. You're so sure you understand this world. But you don't. This world doesn't care about truth. It cares about power."
"I'm not here to change your world, Vega," I said, my voice steady. "I'm here to bring the truth to light. And if you think I'm going to let you keep hiding behind your money and connections, then you really don't understand who I am."
For a moment, there was silence between us. The air felt thick with tension. He wasn't afraid—he was playing the game. But I had something he didn't.
"Beltrán didn't deserve to die," I continued. "But he did. And I'm going to make sure everyone knows why."
Vega's eyes narrowed. "You think you can bring me down? You're nothing but a pawn in a game much bigger than you. I suggest you leave now before things get... ugly."
I stood up, feeling the weight of the moment. He wasn't just a businessman. He wasn't just a suspect. Vega was part of something larger—a system of corruption that didn't care about right or wrong, only survival.
I turned to leave, but stopped at the door. "I'll be seeing you again, Vega. And next time, I'll have more than just a USB drive. I'll have the truth."
I left Vega's office with my mind racing. The words he'd said didn't sit right with me. He was hiding something—no, not hiding, protecting something. There was power in his calmness, an icy confidence that made my skin crawl.
But as I stepped into the elevator, my phone buzzed.
One new message.
It was from an unknown number.
"If you want to live, stop digging."
I froze.
A chill ran down my spine as I read the message again. No signature, just a threat. But I had no time to waste. I wasn't going to back off. Not now.
I slid the phone back into my pocket, my hand tightening into a fist.
When I got to the parking lot, I noticed the black car parked a few spaces away. It was too still. Too out of place. I glanced around, scanning the area. Nothing unusual.
But then I heard the low hum of an engine behind me. I didn't turn around. Instead, I stepped quickly toward my car, feeling the weight of eyes on my back. My hand hovered near the door, but before I could open it, the black car's engine revved. The tires screeched against the pavement as it accelerated toward me.
A split second.
I didn't think. I just reacted.
I dove into my car and slammed the door shut just as the black car swerved by, missing me by inches. The driver didn't stop, just sped off into the street.
I exhaled sharply, my heart pounding in my chest. I looked around again, but there was no sign of the car. It had disappeared into the city's veins, leaving me with nothing but the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
I gripped the steering wheel tightly. This was no longer just a case—it was personal. They were willing to kill to protect their secrets. And they were willing to make sure I never uncovered them.
I couldn't stop now. I wouldn't.
I had no idea who was behind that car, or who sent the message, but I knew one thing: someone was watching. And they weren't going to let me expose the truth without a fight.