That week, Yenedith avoids talking to her brother. She tries to think about everything that has happened and the way Tadeus has handled things. From the beginning, she has seen him with a positive attitude, but withdrawn, as if he thinks before saying anything when they sit down at the table.
So many trips and meetings at the office of his supposed father. "I had a childhood with him"—these words echo in his mind. Perhaps Tadeus never lost touch with them. Why is he so sure he'll get away with it, that he'll be free from a man who drags him into his illegal dealings? — He's going to kill him — says Yenedith.
— Who? — asks Charles.
Yenedith is in the passenger seat, as usual every morning before heading to the office. She doesn't remember sleeping or even showering, but she's wearing a blue button-down shirt and black straight-leg pants. — Yenedith, who are you talking about?
— I'm sorry, I think my mind's somewhere else — she says. Suddenly, her memory of the last couple of hours comes flooding back — I think I've been going on autopilot these past few days.
— You need to get some good sleep — Charles says, leaning toward her. He tucks her hair behind her ear to see the profile of her face — Something's wrong.
— When did you start working for my father? — Yenedith asks.
— Two years ago. I started as a security guard at one of his properties.
— Was it a club?
— Yes, I was just in charge of making sure drunk men didn't touch the waitresses. Why do you ask?
— I didn't know my father owned clubs until last night. Will you take me to one?
— I don't think that's a good idea. Your father told me…
— Do you report everything we do to Edwin?
— Of course I do. He'd fire me if I didn't.
— Have you also told him that we slept together?
— No!
— Then you'll take me to one of these bars and you won't tell him either — Yenedith orders. Charles simply nods and puts his hands back on the steering wheel.
<><><><>
After work, Yenedith and Charles stop by the hospital to visit Gem, but she's been discharged, so they head to her mother's house. — She's not here — Celeste replies, looking exhausted.
— Do you know where she is? — Yenedith asks.
— Hi, it's so nice to see you here! — Gem's voice rings out. She walks from the sidewalk to the front door. The close friends share a hug and go inside after exchanging greetings.
Celeste doesn't seem very interested in the conversation, but she stays close by, offering snacks or stopping by to clean. — To be honest, I haven't been able to sleep well either with everything that's happened — says Gem — Now that I'm completely clean, my therapist advised me to stick with my favorite hobbies to keep my mind occupied and boost serotonin, given the negative thoughts I've been having.
— Negative thoughts? — asks Yenedith — Have you been able to remember what happened?"
— No, but I've felt so overwhelmed by the urge to consume. I feel like I've failed, and falling into a coma makes me think I should be a new person, that I'm a waste if I can't control myself."
— You'll get through this, just like you did before everything — says Yenedith. She takes her friend's hand and squeezes it gently. Just then, Gem's phone rings.
— It's my alarm — she says — I forgot I was just passing through. I came to grab my things to go to the pottery workshop after my appointment with the psychiatrist.
— Well, we'll see each other later — Yenedith replies.
— I'm really running late, I'm going to miss the bus! — Gem says and runs up the stairs.
— I can give you a ride — Charles says as soon as he sees her come down.
— Thank you so much!
Everyone gets into the car, and the drive through the city begins.
<><><>
— I thought she'd be here by now — says the man in uniform.
— I can't give you any information about my patients — says the woman. — Please leave and speak directly with the person you need to speak with outside my office.
At that moment, the woman in uniform taps her partner on the shoulder, and they both leave the building. — Are you sure the doctor gave you the right information? — she asks.
— The woman isn't at the hospital anymore, and she's not at home either. Where else could she be? — he says.
— I don't think her mother is going to tell us anything. Remember how evasive she was?
— That's very strange — says the officer. At that moment, he sees the woman they're looking for get out of a car and hug another woman across the street, so he decides to approach them immediately.
— Where are you going? — asks his partner. As soon as they cross the street, she realizes what's happening.
— Good afternoon. May I see your ID, please? — says the officer.
Gem looks confused, but hands over her ID, as does Yenedith.
— Is something wrong, officer? — asks Charles once he gets out of the car.
— You are Miss Gem Goldstein. Nice to meet you, I'm Rafael Bermúdez, and this is my partner, Catalina Villa. We need you to please come with us to give your statement regarding what happened on April 5th.
— Excuse me? — Gem steps back. Yenedith tries to stay calm and moves closer to her to reassure her a little.
— We'd rather not comment on what happened here. It would be best if you came with us — says Catalina.
— No, I have the right to know what I'm being accused of or the reason for this — says Gem.
— You're not being accused of any crime, miss. We want to take your statement about what happened that day, since you were admitted to the hospital with severe physical and genital injuries — says the female police officer in a neutral tone.
— Genital injuries, did you say? — asks Gem with a lump in her throat.
Suddenly, the whispers and strange sounds from her nightmares come to mind. — Yes, it's okay. I'll go with you.
— Do you want me to come with you? — asks Yenedith.
— Please, I want her to come with me.
— She can accompany you, but she's not allowed to enter the room with you — says Officer Villa.
Once they enter the interrogation room, the police officer takes charge of the questioning by building a small bond of trust with Gem — The hospital was required to report any injuries based on even the slightest suspicion — says Catalina — In your case, because you were in a severe state of unconsciousness, various tests were performed, including a rape test and a test for psychoactive substances, both of which came back positive.
— What, what test? — Gem asks with tears welling in her eyes.
— We understand this is hard for you to hear. You may not remember much of what happened, but any details that come to mind are of the utmost importance for the report.
— What report? But I only took drugs, what happened? Who… what, what did they do to me!
— An investigation has been opened into your case because they found… — Officer Villa looks her in the eyes and takes a deep breath. — What I'm about to tell you will be hard to hear, but I need you to stay calm and answer the questions, okay?
— Just tell me.
— You were admitted to the hospital unconscious, with an unknown psychoactive substance in your system, as well as injuries to your genitals with traces of DNA from multiple men. So far, we've been able to identify…
— I need a glass of water, — Gem stands up. — I feel dizzy; I need a glass of water.
— I'll get it right away — says Officer Rafael.
— Bring the risperdal, hurry up a bit — says Officer Catalina.
— Wait, I don't think I understand — says Gem, closing her eyes tightly as she feels intense pressure in her chest.
— Here's some water — says Officer Rafael as he walks through the door. Gem reaches for the glass of water and drinks it with difficulty because she feels her throat closing up.
— My vision is blurry; I don't think I can breathe — she says, trying to inhale air but feeling her lungs fail to fill. So she tries to scream, but she doesn't hear her own voice echoing in her ears.
When she comes to senses, she finds herself on a hospital stretcher. The first thing she sees is Yenedith and her mother standing beside her. Gem does nothing but cry inconsolably for several minutes until her mother gives her some tea with a sleeping pill.
— What was she doing at the police station? — asks Celeste.
— The police came looking for her to ask her about her rape — says Yenedith.
Celeste raises her hand and slaps her across the face. — You're a monster! — the woman yells at her. Charles pushes the woman to keep her from getting any closer. — How dare you file a complaint when she's so fragile? If she has a relapse, it'll all be your fault!
— You're the monster who wants to treat your daughter like a pet!
— Back off — Charles warns, stopping Celeste's hand.
— Don't ever come near my daughter again! — the woman shouts.
Both of them leave the scene. The drive to the apartment complex where Tadeus is staying is silent, until Charles decides to speak up. — The police will do their job. The important thing is that she knows now, and you'll be there to support her.
— See you in an hour or two to go to the club — Yenedith says and gets out of the car as soon as she feels Charles' hand on hers.
— Okay —he says, though she's already walking toward the entrance. He waits for several seconds until he sees her go inside.