Or is it a ruse?
On Paradise Island, Rafael:
More than forty-eight hours after Sofia’s disappearance, the international investigation team I hired asked to meet with me. For this, I gathered them at the mansion with Benjamin, Estefania and the twins.
They played the video they got from the store located in front of the mall where Sofia parked her truck. Obviously, the two men who approached her as she exited the mall had ski masks on.
-Sir, according to the cameras located in the store in front of the mall, these were the men who took her,” the head of the commando group told me.
-Obviously, you can’t see the criminals’ faces because they have them covered. However, the camera captured the van they used for the kidnapping,” explained the other member of the group, who clarified that it was stolen.
-It was also evident that Sofia was wounded,” I exclaimed, angry and worried because hours have passed and I have not heard from her.
-Yes, this was already corroborated by the investigation corps, when the laboratory issued the results of the blood samples found next to the van. These belong to Miss Sofia,” the investigator confirmed.
They again projected another video, in which they observed the exit of the van from the shopping center parking lot, heading south and followed by a black Bentley Continental.
-That’s Reyner’s car! -Benjamin and Estefania exclaimed in chorus.
-According to our investigations, this model of Bentley on the island is unique and belongs to Reyner Medina, as you just mentioned,” the investigator explained to me, pointing to them.
“As you know, he is being held at the Delegation together with his son Jose David. They are waiting to accumulate the sum required by the judge, in order to be released on bail.
-God! -Estefania exclaimed, covering her mouth in astonishment, “You bastards! How they were so cruel to my daughter. They are all guilty,” she affirmed.
-That day of the kidnapping, two of her children, Martin Elias and Yoly, were on the island. Evidently, one of them was driving the vehicle,” said the detective, while I remained silent, analyzing everything.
-By monitoring the cameras of the neighboring stores and the ones located at the traffic lights, we were able to confirm that the black Bentley Continental was behind the van where Miss Sofia was being driven,” the other detective assured me.
-We got a video in a very well-lit area, where it was clearly evident that the person driving the Bentley was a woman,” when they announced this, they projected another video, during which all those present repeated the same name:
-Yoly del Mar!
“Right! I remembered my conversation with Estefania. I could be the motive for this attack against Sofia!”
-Grrr…! You wretch! -Shayla snarled, throwing her cell phone against the couch.
-Bitch that one! -Sheyli shouted angrily.
-Yoly? -I questioned last, to everyone’s astonishment, “I want a result, where is Sofia? And I don’t care what measures or actions you have to take, but I want Sofia alive and with me,” I demanded angrily, raising my voice.
-Mr. Corner, Miss Yoly left that same night in a private plane, usually rented by her brother Jose David…” said the investigator.
-She is in Ciudad La Rosa! -I violently interrupted the detective, “I gave that information to the inept Commissioner in charge of Sofia’s case, here on the Island.
“But, he has done nothing. I presume he is somehow linked to Reyner and his son,” I declared, looking at Benjamin, to pressure him to pull his influence on the Island.
-We’ll settle that at once,” answered Benjamin, who immediately got up from the chair where he was sitting and moved away from us to speak freely.
When he finished speaking, he returned to where we were all waiting for him and informed us about the news he had just received.
-Yoly del Mar Medina was kidnapped from her father’s mansion this morning. The guard on duty was injured, the gardener was beaten and the service women are holding them for inquiries. The mansion is cordoned off.
-Damn… be… it! -I exclaimed angrily, feeling helpless, despite all my efforts.
-That could give us a chance to search the mansion for Miss Sofia,” reflected the investigator, who immediately asked for an airplane to take him to Ciudad La Rosa.
-It seems that someone got ahead of us or is it a trick of hers, in case she was discovered? -said the other detective.
-Anything is possible! -commented the leader of the group.
-I have a jet ready to leave at once,” I reported, looking at Estefania.
-I don’t want to leave you here alone with the kids! Please come with me so they can stay at the Hacienda! While I figure this out,” I begged Estefania, taking her hands.
-Yes, I think it would be best! -She answered me, determined to go with me, I imagine to protect her grandchildren.
-Don’t worry about the house,” Benjamin mentioned, “I’ll be in charge of it while this is being resolved.
-Perfect! I answered, talking to him, exchanging phone numbers, e-mails, address, among others.
-Remember that the news is now in all the networks and media, we could take advantage of this, to offer ransom to whoever informs us of Sofia’s whereabouts,” I said.
-Great! -However, wait a maximum of thirty minutes to see the results of the call I made and to know that you have the support of the authorities on the island.
And so it was… in less than half an hour, the Commissioner who was at the head of the commando group, in charge of Sofia’s kidnapping, was replaced by a superior. For this reason, the authorities of the Island requested support and cooperation from the authorities of Ciudad La Rosa, to go after Yoly del Mar Medina.
Before leaving Paradise Island with the group of investigators, I approached the twins and while talking to them, I asked them to please accompany Estefania so that she would not feel alone.
Sheyli quickly offered to go with her, so she went up to her bedroom to get a suitcase with clothes. Meanwhile, Shayla in a meeting with me and Benjamin proposed that he temporarily assume the position of CEO, while Sofia appeared.
Estefania, a cautious woman at all times, gave him the power of attorney, which months ago she and her daughter had signed for Benjamin’s benefit, foreseeing any situation. He, grateful for her trust, promised to assume the representation of her interests.
-Thank you, Benjamin! Because you are always available for us, in any situation. As I told you before, I repeat it now, you can count on me for anything,” and she approached him, hugging him tightly.
The triplets, who since the day they kidnapped their mother had not come down from the playroom, were standing at the door, with Sheyli, waiting for them.
-Shall we go see our foals, Rafael? -Rafael Angel asked me with a smile.
-Yes, namesake! We are leaving to take care of your foals,” I said smiling and trying to take the three of them under my protection.
-WOW! -shouted Rafael Enrique, looking at me.
-Come on, we have to hurry! -Rafael Argenis exclaimed loudly, taking one of my hands.
-Let’s go at once! -I declared, excited to take the triplets back to my Hacienda with me.
On the way to the airport, I called my aunt to know about my mother’s condition.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
-She is stable, the doctor is keeping her sedated to prevent her from suffering from the pain caused by the wounds. She has reacted very well to the treatment, she may be moved to a room tomorrow,” Aunt Anastasia explained to me.
-That’s good, Aunt! Thank God, because I’m very worried about that too,” I clarified to her.
-Now tell me, what happened with Sofia? -She asked me, worried about the woman I love.
-There is still no sign of her. Apparently, she was kidnapped by a person known to the family. That’s why I’m going to take Estefania and the children to the Hacienda, while I solve this, I don’t want to risk them -I added.
-Son, if you need me to help you, just tell me and I’ll be right there with Diana’s twins,” she affirmed.
-Excellent, Aunt! -I agreed, thinking that with the twins, the triplets will be entertained and won’t notice their mother’s absence too much.
-Okay! I’m going to get to the City, to drop off a team I brought from abroad. They are the best looking for lost people, I put them up, I put them in contact with the Minister, who offered to help me -I clarified to Aunt.
“I pick you up and then we leave, on the jet to the Hacienda, to leave Estefania, a friend of theirs and the triplets there,” I announced, “You fit me like a glove, I sincerely need you there…