<><><> SEPTEMBER <><><>
Tadeus arrives at the courthouse, where he testifies about his kidnapping two years ago and explains in detail the nature of his relationship with Edwin. The defense attorneys are determined to prove sexual exploitation and extortion and are seeking monetary compensation. Yenedith also testifies about her experience living under her father's roof. Afterward, the floor is given to the testimonies of those rescued from illegal brothels, including Rebeca.
— So the next step is the criminal trial? — Yenedith asks outside the courtroom.
— That depends on the grand jury's decision. If they find there's enough credible evidence to proceed — says the lawyer — they might set a date soon because of the media pressure right now.
— How long do you think that will take?
— Maybe six months to a year.
— Good thing Elena didn't bail him out.
— But the bastard could appeal for house arrest until the trial — says Tadeus.
— There's too much risk of him fleeing; they'll most likely deny his request — says the lawyer — I'll be in touch with you; please keep a low profile.
— Of course.
— You can be sure of that.
<><><>
Alexander finishes smoking his cigar on the apartment balcony, returns to the living room, has a drink of whiskey while checking on the progress of the company's research, and then flips through the TV channels. It annoys him a little to see that most of the coverage is focused on interviews and the Edwin Singer case, but he resigns himself to watching an interview with him from prison.
— Yes, my son has been found, but that doesn't mean his story was something I made up. The necessary investigations were conducted, and the police were notified as required to close the case.
— Mr. Edwin, this case received a lot of media attention at the time because of how difficult it was to find the children — says the journalist — Why didn't you make the news of your reunion public?
— I didn't want to invade my children's privacy; they've led lives far removed from the spotlight.
— Tell us, what was that reunion like?
— It was a coincidence, my son is also a journalist, just like you, and one day I saw him on TV. I looked into it further, and well, we met up to talk. It wasn't until later that I found out about his sister; my other daughter was also in town.
— They're talking about a completely different story. What do you think about that?
— To be honest, I don't have much to say; everything will be clarified after the trial — says Edwin as he stands up from his chair. The news report continues, noting that his identity remains anonymous, and it's believed that his children must be among those who have testified in the trials that aren't televised.
"Maybe you'll find out who I really am."
— No, that can't be — Alexander murmurs. At that moment, he remembers the time he saw Tadeus on Necker Island with Gustaph, followed by the news of his arrest. Elena, the Coyote's wife, at the hospital alongside Yenedith and Mrs. Daisy. The microphones, the chip, the defective shipment, that trip with the senator to Greece.
Alexander picks up his phone and calls Claire — I need you to get me a DNA test. Otherwise, I won't be able to be sure.
— For sure — the woman replies. She contacts her source at the police station to obtain the reports closing the case of the disappearance of the minors Edward and Esther Singer Polanco, and their mother, Edith Polanco.
<><><>< Civil Divorce Case Involving Domestic Abuse ><><><>
— I remember seeing her bleeding from her mouth and… her nose; it looked like the edge of her lip was ripped. I told her to call an ambulance when I saw her eye; it looked like it was going to pop out — says Yenedith.
— Did she agree to go to a hospital? — asks Bianca.
— No, she was too scared. She started screaming from the back of her throat when I tried to call the police, but she wasn't saying anything, just wailing. So I called the doctor who treated my grandmother when she had her eye surgery to see what he could do. He said he'd come with a team and help her.
— Was that same day?
— Yes.
— Your Honor, you can now see on the screen several photographs that the witness took of the injuries on the plaintiff's body — says Bianca. — Yenedith, can you tell us where Edwin Singer was at that time?
— I went with my father… he was on the rooftop. I went to ask him why he had hit Elena like that, and he responded by slapping me across the face. He said I had no business meddling in their relationship.
— Did it seem to you that Mr. Edwin had been drinking?
— No, he was smoking, but his breath didn't smell of alcohol, and I didn't see any alcohol on the table on the rooftop either. There's a covered area with a canopy where he sometimes had lunch with my brother.
— Had Mr. Edwin ever behaved violently toward you?
— When I went to visit him in jail, I asked him about my brother, and he reacted by slapping me. The guards had to restrain him so he wouldn't attack me.
Bianca continues by showing the prison security footage. — Thank you very much. No further questions, Your Honor — says Bianca. After the defense asks its questions, the attorney continues with Tadeus. — Can you describe your relationship with the defendant, Edwin Singer?
— He is my biological father.
— Is it true that you spent much of your childhood in his care?
— Yes, until I was twelve.
— Do you remember what your relationship with your mother was like?
Tadeus nods; Bianca widens her eyes. — Yes, I remember most of it.
— Can you tell us what your father was like toward you and what you remember about his relationship with your mother?
— Edwin used to play tag with me; he really enjoyed coming along with me to put together puzzles and go fishing. There was a river that ran near the farm, about a twenty-minute walk away. I don't remember his relationship with my mother being very happy; she always seemed sad or upset. I remember one time she had bruises on her arms, but she told me she'd fallen while climbing a tree. Obviously, as a child, I believed her.
— Do you remember any time you witnessed Edwin being aggressive toward your mother?
— Yes, of the ones I remember perfectly clear, twice — Tadeus glances in Yenedith's direction; she's watching him with furrowed brows and eyes brimming with tears. — Once I was in the kitchen with the maid; she was teaching me how to knead dough to make donuts. My mother walked into the kitchen, but I moved to the other side of the counter; it was… like an island; I moved to the other side to turn my back to her so she wouldn't see the dough because I wanted to surprise her. Suddenly, her laughter turned into a stifled scream. "Don't let Edward out" Edwin said. I ran to the door before the maid could stop me and saw him throw her to the floor, grabbing her by the hair. "Do you think I'd keep you here doing nothing? You're going to have to apologize before you ruin my business!" he yelled at her. She yelled back that she was his wife, that she wouldn't do things like that, whatever he'd asked her to do. He, Edwin, struck her in the chest with the clenched fist of his left hand. "You're nothing but a whore! What else are you good for?!" — Tadeus lowers his face, closes his eyes, and opens them again to find his sister's face covered in tears — And I just remember thinking… that we wouldn't be having dinner together anymore; there was no point in making the donuts. I was ten years old — Tadeus takes a deep breath and continues — The next time was after my twelfth birthday. She ran into my room while I was playing one afternoon and told me I had to hide because my father had guests; she didn't want them to see me. But it seemed strange to me, because she wanted me to hide in the closet. I remember hearing a lot of footsteps, a lot of commotion. When I heard the door to my room, I could hear my mother's screams more clearly: "No, no, Edwin, please. The boy isn't here; I sent him to my mom." I got scared when I saw him look at the closet and hid deeper among the clothes, but he opened the door and pulled me out by the arm. "No, please, not my child." My mother was crying while that man was holding her by the neck. He shoved her out of the room without letting go of my arm, until… — Tadeus takes a sip of water and a deep breath — Edwin reached the edge of the stairs and pushed her. I remember… crying as he dragged me along the path toward the river. I thought he was going to break my arm.
After the recess, the judge ruled in favor of Elena Montaño, Tadeus, and Yenedith Windmill. Edwin must pay a large sum of money and attend anger management classes and therapy for two years to comply with the court order.