The drive to the police station passed in a blur of traffic lights and turn signals, her thoughts too loud to register the journey. When she arrived, she had to take a moment in the parking lot, hands gripping the steering wheel to collect herself. Deep breaths. Manage expectations. Prepare for disappointment.
Inside the station, Detective Aaron Delgado was waiting for her in the lobby. At 55, the detective had aged visibly since taking on her family’s case, his once salt-and-pepper hair now mostly salt, deep lines etched around his eyes. But that day those eyes held something Elena had not seen in years.
Excitement.
“Elena,” he said, meeting her halfway across the lobby. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“What’s happening, Aaron?” she asked, unable to contain herself. “What did you find?”
Aaron glanced around the busy station.
“Not here. Follow me.”
He led her to a small conference room and closed the door behind them. Inside, a map of the Bahamas was spread across the table, and a younger officer Elena did not recognize was typing rapidly on a laptop.
“This is Officer Martinez,” Aaron introduced briefly. “He’ll be coming with us.”
Elena nodded at the officer, but turned immediately back to Aaron.
“Please tell me what’s going on.”
Aaron pulled out a chair for her.
