Tadeus opens the door and they both enter the apartment. Alexander sits down on the couch while Tadeus makes coffee — How was your trip?
— It was fine. I talked to a few people and visited several places in Larisa and Kalambaka — says Tadeus — Beautiful places, by the way. You and I should go there someday; I know you've had business there too.
— What's your investigation about?
— Sex crimes and various missing persons cases that haven't been solved in years.
Alexander has an expression that clearly shows what he's thinking before he says it — I heard your coworker didn't go with you. I thought you were a team.
— As the main focus of the program, I often take the liberty of investigating on my own, and since Gustaph had other business to attend to, I took the opportunity to tag along on his trip.
— You could have asked me to take you there before, not after you'd already gone with him.
— I didn't think of it that way; the opportunity just came up.
Alexander gets up from the couch — As if you really had to wait for an opportunity to see him!
— I really don't think you're still in some imaginary competition with Gustaph — says Tadeus, stepping back. But the man grabs his arm — He's a friend. My best friend right now, I might say.
— And does he feel the same way? — Alexander asks, tightening the grasp.
Tadeus tries to find the words to reassure him — Honey, please. What do I have to do to make you stop feeling jealous?
— Don't lie to me, and don't hide anything from me. I had to figure out about the tickets on my own before you even mentioned it — Alexander says — You have to be transparent with me.
— I'm sorry — He leans in to kiss Alexander, but he turns his face away — Look how you're making me suffer. Tell me you forgive me — Tadeus pleads, now with his hands on Alex's waist.
Just then, there's a knock at the door, and Tadeus decides to answer it after stealing a passionate kiss from his lover's lips.
— Hi — Tadeus says when he sees who's at the door.
— Can I come in? — Yenedith asks. She takes a few steps into the living room, where she sees her brother's boyfriend — Ah… um… I didn't mean to interrupt. I can come back later.
— How are you? — Alexander steps forward to give her a half-hug and invites her to sit down — I haven't seen you in a while. How's everything going at work?
— Fine, everything's fine — she says, closing her lips into a forced smile that doesn't go unnoticed by Tadeus.
— Tell me what's going on — her brother says.
Yenedith looks at Tadeus and Alexander, but still says nothing — I think this might be a private matter — Strauss says — We can talk later.
— Okay, it's just that… — Yenedith can't even gesture what she means before breaking down in tears.
Hours pass as Yenedith talks about what happened to her friend and the words of encouragement to help her stay focused on what's important, supporting those who are truly having the hardest time.
— It's only a matter of time before justice is served — says Alexander — Too many things have happened, and I understand how you feel. I haven't received any answers myself about what happened at my house a couple of months ago, and they haven't found Dove either.
— What Alexander means is that everything takes time — says Tadeus — But we can launch a campaign to raise awareness about her case and put pressure on the authorities.
— I don't think that's a good idea right now — says Yenedith — She seems to be in denial; she was very disturbed when she found out. It's her mother's fault for not telling her anything. I'm sure if she'd heard the news from someone close to her, she would have felt less alone.
— You should go visit her or wait outside her house until she goes somewhere else — says Alexander.
— That's a crime; don't listen to him. Just call her.
— With everything that's happened, it hadn't even occurred to me — says Yenedith — Thanks, I think I'm going to head out. I have some unfinished business.
Tadeus walks her to the door — What's this unfinished business? You aren't thinking of visiting those gambling dens, are you?
— I can't stand not knowing. You never tell me anything, or you speak in riddles as if I were supposed to guess — says Yenedith.
— Sister of mine, listen to me — says Tadeus — I've done things I don't even dare confess for fear that you'll distance yourself from me. If you get involved, everything I've done will have been in vain.
— What are you so afraid of? I thought the worst was already over — says Yenedith.
— Visit Grandma for me, okay? — Tadeus asks, and they hug goodbye.
Yenedith returns to the car with Charles — Is everything okay? — he asks, seeing the look on her face.
— Let's just go to the mansion; I'm feeling a little tired — she replies.
<><><> A week later <><><>
Yenedith accompanies Gem to her session with the psychologist. She waits outside in silence until she sees Gem come out of the office with red eyes — Are you okay? — Yenedith asks. Gem just nods.
They're both at an ice cream shop, spending some time in silence until Gem says — Did you know what happened? I asked my mom, but she says she doesn't know anything. That you just called them to tell them I'd overdosed.
— Actually, I wasn't able to talk to them. Charles had to do it. I'm sorry, I think I should have been the one to tell them.
— Did you see who…? — Gem swallows hard to force herself to speak without breaking down in tears — How… How did you find me?
— I have a video from that day — Yenedith says — I turned it over to the police. I can show it to you.
Yenedith pulls out her phone and starts showing her the video. — When we saw the open door and the mess, I thought I'd record it before we got to the second floor, just to be safe.
— No, I can't watch this — Gem says as soon as she recognizes herself on the bed.
Then, Gem receives a call from the police station requesting her presence. Once at the station, Officer Catalina Villa greets her and leads her to a room where there is a folder on the table in the center. — Please, have a seat — she says — How are you feeling today?
— Much better than before — Gem replies.
— We received evidence anonymously, a video that matches the photos taken at the scene — says the officer — As you know, given the seriousness of the situation, an investigation was opened, and the necessary steps were taken to secure evidence from the crime scene as soon as possible. Your consent or a formal complaint wasn't required to begin investigating the case.
— I see. And what is this video? — Gem asks.
Officer Rafael enters the room a few seconds later with a TV on a wheeled stand. As soon as the video starts, the young woman recognizes it as the one her friend showed her a few minutes ago. — I'd rather not watch it.
— All right, we just need you to tell us if you recognize any of these people — says the officer.
Gem looks at three photos of different men — That's William Hofstadter, my ex-boyfriend — she says — I don't remember the others' names, but I remember seeing them before. I'm not sure.
— We were only able to identify one of them thanks to DNA evidence and his criminal record — says Catalina.
— Who?
— Hunter Sears — says Catalina — He has a criminal record for theft, extortion, and illegal possession of weapons. We advise you to move to a different residence during the investigation to avoid retaliation in case he is arrested.
— But you have his DNA and he's on the video. Why don't you just arrest him?
— We're investigating his whereabouts — says Rafael.
— Is there anything else I need to know?
— We'll let you know if anything new comes up. If you wish to file a complaint, you can do so to strengthen the case.
— How am I supposed to file charges if I don't remember anything?
— I advise you to consult with a lawyer — says the officer. The young woman nods and leaves the office.