Sergio turned his head like a rabid dog.
“Ma’am, don’t get in. This is police work.
The woman backed down.
But he didn't keep his phone.
Don Manuel folded the newspaper carefully.
On the front page was a news story about a new national investigation into abuses of authority.
The irony was so great that it almost hurt.
On top of the streetlight, a security camera turned slightly.
Facial recognition activated.
Two seconds later, on a screen many miles from there, a red alert appeared:
“Manuel Rivas. Director General of the National Research Agency. Alpha priority.”
In the capital, Deputy Director Elena Vera received the notice on her phone.
He read it once.
Then another.
Then he took the hotline.
“Federal team prepared. Director Rivas located out of service in Parque de la Ribera. Do not intervene yet. Watch closely.
Three black vans left the central building without sirens.
No lights.
No noise.
Don Manuel felt his cell phone vibrating inside the vest.
He didn't look at him.
I already knew who he was.
And I also knew it had just started.
Sergio lost patience.
"Up." Now.
Don Manuel stood up slowly, his hands visible.
I'm collaborating.
—Claro que sí.
Sergio le arrancó el periódico de las manos, lo partió por la mitad y se lo lanzó a la cara.
The leaves fell on the grass.
A five-year-old girl started crying.
“Mom, why do you talk to him like that?”
The mother hugged her tight.
Don Manuel raised his hands a little more.
I'm not resisting.
Sergio pushed him with both hands.
Strong.
Don Manuel stumbled and hit his back against the bench.
The entire park let out a scream.
It was not a procedure.
It was abuse.
Then Inspector Ricardo Cruz, Sergio’s boss, appeared walking as if he already knew how it would all end.
Fifty and so many years.
Hard belly of power.
A man's face used to no one contradicting him.
What's going on here, Molina?
Sergio respondió sin dudar:
—Individuo sospechoso. No se identifica. Se niega a obedecer.
Don Manuel miró al inspector.
—Solo estaba sentado, esperando a mi esposa.
Ricardo ni siquiera lo escuchó.
“Spoil it. We clear it up at the police station.
People protested.
“He didn’t do anything!
We are recording it!
Leave him alone!
Sergio grabbed Don Manuel's arm and twisted it backwards.
“Hands on the back.
