The following day, with preparations in place, we headed for the town, which was not far by car. We stopped in front of the house, but it was sealed off with police tape, entry forbidden, so I decided to head straight to the police station.
Upon our entrance, there was considerable commotion. Everyone was shocked to see me and rose to approach. The town is small, and the police station is indicative of its size. In a reasonably sized room, there was a reception area, complete with a tall counter preventing direct entry. One had to go through the receptionist, who screened visitors and directed them to the appropriate person.
Behind the counter were two desks for detectives and a smaller one for the clerk and his files. A hallway led to the restroom, changing area, and cells. A door opened into the chief's office, and that's where everyone escorted me. The chief also showed surprise upon seeing me, instructed me to sit in the empty chair facing him, and then seated himself in his commanding chair, with his desk between us.
"What are you all still doing here, out with you. All of you," he said to the "crowd" filling his small office.
"You two wait outside as well," I said to Calel and Jade, who had accompanied me.
"It's very good to see you alive, Mrs. Uchoa. But I see you aren't pregnant, what happened?"
"I'll tell you everything, Chief, but it's not a pleasant story."
"Should I call the clerk to take your statement as testimony?"
"Yes, that way I won't have to repeat it, it was too terrible to keep reliving."
"From what we observed there, we thought you might have been dead or kidnapped."
"It was close, Chief."
He summoned the clerk, who quickly took his place at a small table with his machine. The chief gave his permission, and I began my account:
"My husband was very good to me, but he had his unique practices and customs. I never questioned him, as he never hurt or distressed me, especially because of the pregnancy. But then large boxes started arriving and piqued my curiosity. Ignoring one of his main rules, I entered the secret room and found his research."
"Are you referring to the research lab with body parts in jars? We've confiscated those."
"Yes, exactly. He was so angry he took me to the red room, tied me up, and started whipping me while I screamed."
"So, you were the one locked in chains?"
"Yes, that was me. As I was saying, I screamed, and somehow, masked men with clawed gloves invaded the house and came into the room, freeing me while fighting him. Romulo was strong, so both had to combat him, giving me the chance to escape."
"Where did you go?"
"To the forest, the only place I felt I could hide from those strange beings. I didn't see what happened to my husband. I was desperate to protect myself. A lightning strike felled a tree nearby, and in my panic, I ran aimlessly for a long time until I collapsed and fainted."
"Do you remember where you went?"
"Perhaps your officers can track the path if they find the fallen tree."
"Our investigators went to the forest, found that spot with many footprints and blood."
"After I fainted, I don't know what happened as I woke up much later in a cabin, without my baby and very weak. I only managed to get up today and wanted to immediately check on Romulo. Where is he, Chief?"
"I'm sorry to inform you, Mrs. Uchoa, but your husband was murdered by those intruders, and his body is in the morgue, awaiting release."
I looked at him wordlessly and feigned a pain I did not feel, necessary to gain what I wanted—to take possession of what was mine by marriage and enter the house to retrieve my personal belongings. With a hollow cry, I let tears stream down my face, and he handed me a box of tissues.
"Why, Chief? Why did all this happen? They killed my husband and took my baby, five months along. It's too cruel, Chief. Now, what do I do?"
"Stay calm, Mrs. Uchoa. I will call your husband's lawyer and request he come, to assist you with the legal proceedings."
While he made the call, I slumped in the chair, feigning devastation, when in reality, I was relieved—the scoundrel got what he deserved. But there were still things to retrieve from the house, so I waited patiently for him to hang up and turn back to me, sympathetic.
"He's on his way. I'm so sorry for your loss. Dr. Munhoz will help you with everything you need. Your home was a crime scene, and you can't return there, but if you need to get your belongings, I'll permit you to go, accompanied by one of the guards."
"Thank you, Chief. My mind is really not on these things right now. I'm still feeling the physical pain from the loss of the baby, and for some reason, my breasts are leaking milk. If it weren't for the couple that brought me here to help, I don't know how I'd cope."
"So you had help?"
"Yes, Doctor. I awoke in their cabin in a village in the forest, close to town. They found me, collapsed near their place, and rescued me. They wanted to take me to the hospital, but I refused. I was treated by an elder, considered a healer in the village but is actually a retired nurse."
"You're very lucky to be alive. I will speak with them, as well."
"Yes, Chief. I trust you to sort it all out." I began crying again.
I wasn't worried about the couple's interrogation since we had agreed on our story on the way here, aiming to lie as little as possible to avoid contradiction, and if we deviated on a point or two, it would seem merely a lapse in memory.
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