He showed Miguel the photographs of Kona and Daniel.
Miguel’s eyes flicked to the photos, then away.
“I don’t know nothing about no drugs. I’m just the keyholder. I watch the shack, that’s all. Please don’t hurt me.”
Elena stepped forward, her eyes pleading.
“Please, Miguel. The girl in the photo is my daughter. She’s been missing for 10 years. If you know anything, anything at all, please tell us.”
The boy’s resistance began to waver under Elena’s emotional appeal.
Before he could respond, however, the door burst open as Bahamian police officers flooded into the shack, led by Officer Wilson and the Interpol liaison.
“Secure the scene,” Officer Wilson commanded, “and get forensics in here immediately.”
In the commotion that followed, Miguel was separated from Elena and Aaron, taken to a corner of the shack for formal processing. The Interpol officer approached them with a grim expression.
“We’ve been tracking a cartel operating in this region for months,” he explained. “But we never had a solid lead on their storage locations. This could be the breakthrough we needed.”
“What about my daughter?” Elena pressed. “Could she be connected to this operation?”
“It’s possible,” the Interpol officer acknowledged. “Drug trafficking groups sometimes use kidnapped individuals for forced labor. If your daughter and husband stumbled upon their operation 10 years ago…”
Elena’s face paled at the implication.
Officer Wilson joined them, having overheard the conversation.
“We’ve separated the boy from the others. He seems frightened enough that he might be willing to talk, especially if we offer some leniency.”
“Let me try,” Elena suggested. “He’s just a kid, and he seemed to react when I mentioned Kona.”
After a brief discussion, the officers agreed to allow Elena and Aaron to interview Miguel. With Officer Wilson present, they moved to a quieter corner of the shack, away from the bustling activity of the evidence collection.
Miguel sat on an overturned crate, handcuffed and looking miserable. He glanced up as Elena approached, then quickly looked away.
“Miguel,” she began gently, “I’m not interested in getting you in trouble. I just want to find my daughter. Please, if you’ve seen her or know anything about her, tell me.”
The boy remained silent, staring at his shoes.
Officer Wilson leaned in.
“Listen, son. You’re in serious trouble here. Possession and distribution of narcotics carries heavy penalties. But if you cooperate, tell us what you know about this operation and these missing people, we might be able to help you.”
Miguel’s shoulders slumped.
“I’ve seen her,” he finally mumbled. “I’m sorry for lying. I’ve seen her.”
Elena’s heart leaped.
“Kona? You’ve seen Kona? Where?”
“The woman in the picture,” Miguel clarified. “But they moved her. They keep moving. Never stay in 1 place too long.”
“When did you last see her?” Aaron pressed.
“Couple months ago, maybe.” Miguel shrugged. “They don’t tell me much. I’m just a lookout.”
Elena pulled out the photo of Daniel.
“What about him? Have you seen this man too?”
Miguel’s expression changed subtly, a flicker of recognition quickly suppressed. He hesitated before answering.
“Him? No, don’t think so.”
Aaron caught the hesitation.
“Miguel, we can tell when you’re lying. What do you know about this man?”
The boy fidgeted, avoiding their gaze. After a long moment of silence, he finally spoke, his voice barely audible.
“Me and my friend were the ones who buried him 3 years ago.”
Elena felt the blood drain from her face.
“Buried him? You’re saying he’s dead?”
Miguel nodded reluctantly.
“He used to work for the cartel, but he betrayed them. The boss found out he was trying to slip a rescue note in 1 of the deliveries, not the drug ones, but the real rock minerals they sell in the market. They executed him right away.”
Elena collapsed onto a nearby crate, her legs no longer able to support her. The confirmation of what she had feared, what Kona’s cryptic message had suggested, hit her like a physical blow. Daniel was gone, had been gone for years while she continued to hope.
“Where?” she managed to ask through her grief. “Where did you bury him?”
Miguel pointed toward the sea.
