Chapter 4 - The Vanishing Friend
While Lily was on the operating table, Officer Brooks tracked a lead regarding Carlos’ whereabouts. He drove down a dark gravel road toward an abandoned auto repair shop on the outskirts of San Antonio.
Carlos’ rusted blue pickup truck was parked behind a row of scrap tires. Brooks drew his flashlight and approached the driver-side window, knocking sharply.
Carlos jumped, dropping a wrench. He opened the door, his face pale, trembling violently. "Officer! Please... I didn't poison her! I swear to God I didn't poison that little girl!"
"Then why did you run, Carlos?" Brooks asked, keeping his tone calm but authorative.
"Because I'm undocumented!" Carlos broke down, burying his face in his grease-stained hands. "I saw the police cars at the hospital. I heard people saying Miguel was being arrested for child abuse! I knew if I stayed, they'd deport me, or blame me because I brought the food! I just made tamale soup from my grandmother's recipe! Fresh vegetables, chicken, corn meal... that's all it was!"
Brooks looked at the man. Carlos wasn't a child abuser or a poisoner; he was a terrified laborer who had tried to bring a warm meal to a struggling family.
"Carlos, you need to come with me back to the hospital," Brooks said gently. "The doctors are operating on Lily right now. They need to test the soup leftovers to clear your name and Miguel's."
"Is she... is she going to live?" Carlos choked out.
May you like
"I don't know," Brooks admitted. "But running makes you look guilty, and right now, Miguel needs a friend, not a suspect."
Carlos wiped his eyes with his sleeve and nodded. "Take me. I'll give them whatever they need."
