“I had a family to support. More importantly, a family to protect,” he says firmly. He exhales, and his eyes slide to Enrique “Then the first domino fell.”
Next to me, Enrique sits up straighter, paying closer attention.
“Your mother first came to Los Angeles as a young woman, not even old enough to drink in this country. She was beautiful and hopeful, but this city it has a way of destroying young dreams. She found solace in the Church, and Linda felt a special affinity for her.”
Dad pauses, his eyes falling away from Enrique’s before he brings them back up to face him and continue. “It is my fault that Richard Coleman ever set eyes on her. He was here in Los Angeles on one of his occasional in-person meetings just to make sure I stayed in line. He thought it would be amusing to attend a Catholic charity event with me. A fun lark, he called it.” Dad’s nostrils flare in anger. “I thought it would be harmless enough. He had no reason to ruin things by telling Linda anything about the business I was in.”
His gaze softens as he stares at Enrique. “Unfortunately, Daniela was working at the event. She was a server for the caterer, one of the jobs Linda helped her get into. Once Richard saw her, there was no stopping him. He could be charming when he wanted to be, and he was handsome in his own way and wealthy. Too many temptations for a poor young girl to ignore. He owned her from the start. I could only protest so much before Linda became suspicious, so I hid my reservations about the match. That is something I regret to this day.”
I reach out to take Enrique’s hand. He squeezes mine as he continues to listen.
Dad sits up straighter and gives Enrique a meaningful look. “Which is why when she came back almost six years later she came directly to me. By then, she of course knew what her husband was involved in, and my involvement with him. So she wanted my help to escape.
“She had proof that he had killed a man. When you told her what you had seen that night, she went into his office to collect more evidence. Richard was out, probably discarding the body. She had photos and blood samples.” Dad laughs softly. “She liked to watch a lot of American crime shows.”
He gets serious again. “But it was enough. She wanted me to hold onto it for safekeeping, should something happen to her. She told me where you were and how to get in touch with the convent in case the worst happened.”
So that’s how he knew about the convent island in the first place.
“I had all of it sent to a secret location.” Dad’s eyes fall to me. “At the address I gave to you.”
“And the list of names, account numbers, all the people who worked with my father? That came from you as well?” Enrique asks, boring into him with a piercing gaze.
Dad turns his attention back to him. “Yes. I was aware of your extracurricular activities with computers, and you had no interest in joining your parents’ business. I had no idea what you would do with it, but I thought it a fitting way to avenge your mother, even if you only took it to the authorities.
“Your mother died protecting you, Enrique. And she entrusted your safety to me. I was the one to get in touch with Sister Clara, who is thankfully a third cousin to Daniela; distant enough for Richard to never make the connection. I relayed the urgency of the matter and the suggestion that you take on a new identity so Richard could never find you. Thankfully, she took my advice.”
Enrique nods slowly, still absorbing all of these revelations. I myself am still wrapping my head around it.
“That is when your mother and sister became collateral damage, Leira.”
This has my attention snapped back to my father with sudden interest.
“Richard made the connection to me. He knew I had the evidence Daniela had given me. Before I could even use it, he had them killed.” Dad pauses, and I sense him cracking, ready to break out in tears. He sucks it up to continue. “I was in a rage. I didn’t want to even bother going to the police. But the forces we worked with—at this point more powerful men than even those in the Mexican cartels—stepped into the picture. I had lost a wife and child, which they could appreciate. This was my opportunity to end my ties with them. The clean slate I’d always wanted. After all, I had six more daughters to protect and take care of. I was free.
“I became a legitimate businessman from that point on. Importing and exporting legal goods. But I always held onto that evidence. When Layla began expressing an interest in working for me, perhaps one day taking over the family business, I told her everything I told you just now, including where the evidence was. In retrospect, it makes sense that Richard would be suspicious that I had told her. The evidence was protection not just for my family and me, but the business as well. Of course, I would want the same protection for her.”
Now, I note a tear fall from his eyes. “Another thing I will never forgive myself for. As for Lucinda…”
Dad looks off to the side in bewilderment. I told him everything about what I learned at Richard’s apartment.
“Like I said, Richard was always a charmer. In retrospect, I wasn’t there for the daughters who still needed me after your mother died. It’s no surprise so many
