The prosecutor stood up.
—Agent Sergio Molina, he is detained for abuse of authority, illegal detention, assaults, manipulation of evidence and violation of fundamental rights.
Two officers approached.
Sergio started crying.
“I just followed orders.
Tom looked at him coldly.
“That phrase didn’t give me back eight months with my daughter.
The prosecutor continued.
Inspector Ricardo Cruz is being held for obstruction, cover-up, conspiracy, falsification of reports and systematic abuse of power.
Richard said nothing.
It seemed aged twenty years.
—Councilman Alberto Flores, he is arrested for corruption, money laundering, fraud in public contracts and conspiracy to obstruct investigations.
Alberto got up.
I am an elected representative. I have immunity.
Prosecutor Montes looked at him without emotion.
“No charge puts anyone above the law.
The handcuffs closed.
Click.
The same sound that Don Manuel had heard an hour earlier.
But this time he didn't humiliate an innocent man.
This time he weighed on the culprits.
When they were taken out of the police station, half a village was out.
Witnesses from the park.
Neighbors.
Local reporters.
Entire families.
The five-year-old girl was on her mother’s shoulders.
Seeing Don Manuel free, he pointed with his hand.
“Mom, look. The good lord is fine. The bad cop didn't win.
His mother cried.
“Yes, honey. He didn't win.
The applause started timid.
Then they grew up.
They were not party applause.
They were of relief.
Of contained rage.
Of people who, for once, saw consequences.
A journalist asked:
“Director Rivas, what message does this leave?
Don Manuel looked at the cameras.
To the neighbors.
To the victims.
To the good agents who had been afraid for years.
“Uncontrolled power is rotting. There was justice today, yes. But it shouldn't be necessary for them to arrest a national director for someone to listen to twenty-three victims.
No one spoke.
“Liability cannot be exceptional. It has to be automatic. Record when you see abuse. Talk when something's wrong. They demand more from those who wear uniforms, plaque or public office. Authority does not make a person good. His actions yes.
Thomas, Maria, Luis and Jaime stayed by his side.
Not as decoration.
As a living test.
After the arrests, the police station was silent.
No one knew who was in charge.
Don Manuel was placed in the middle of the lobby.
“This department has a decision to make. Either it protects the culture that Ricardo Cruz built, or it starts again.
