Death Of Love ~ Silent Love

Chapter 8

Apart from Bruno, none of the Santa Cruz members knew what was going on a few blocks away, at the Altamira mansion. With the joy Cristobal was having for catching one of the Altamira's, he forgot to announce the good news they had been crying to hear for the past ten years. Everyone in the neighbourhood knew except for them.

Rosa switched on the television and opened the CNN news channel. She was the youngest daughter of Juan Karlos. She leaned back on the couch to find comfort and took a sip from the coffee the maid had just given her. Afterwards she placed the mug on a side table at her right and looked back on the screen. Seeing Aurora's picture being shown, she quickly took the remote and increased the volume. She listened attentively.

"After a decade of the murder of the late multi-billionaire Juan Karlos Santa Cruz, the killer has been found." A blonde reporter said. "The award-winning Spanish actress Aurora Altamira was arrested earlier this afternoon. Rumour has it that Aurora Altamira eloped to Spain the night after the murder...

"Mom! Mom!" Rosa shouted her lungs out. "Jose!"

...that is all for now. From me, Crystal James, have a good day. "

She got up. "How can it be a good day when the woman I considered as a friend killed my father?"

"Mother! Eva Reyes-Santa Cruz!"

Eva came downstairs as quickly as she could. "Why did you call me by name?"

"Listen to this mom."

"What is it?" Eva sat down on the couch and listened to the reporter. I must applaud Jose for a job well done...

"Mom, do you think Aurora can kill dad?"

"All I know is that the Angel and his family are our worst nightmare, so it isn't a surprise to hear this...no wonder why she disappeared. I am going to avenge the death of my husband and I won't leave any stone unturned." Eva vowed.

"Mom you are scaring me, what are you thinking of doing to them.?" Rosa asked holding her heart.

Eva smiled. "For now, nothing. Surely this will destroy Angel Altamira"

"Mother, this is unbelievable." Miguel said approaching Eva. "If it were Angel, I would believe. But Aurora? What reason would she have?"

"What other than to make me suffer for breaking her heart?" Bruno asked walking towards them. "Aurora is deceitful. You should meet this new Aurora. Her eyes are full of hatred. Don't let that innocent face of hers fool you."

"Bruno my son...

He raised his hand to silence her. "Yes, I know. You told me so." He dragged himself upstairs before anyone could say a word.

Bruno got to his room. He fell flat on his back on the bed and his fingers in his hair. He squeezed his eyes closed trying to forget all that he saw. He couldn't believe what Aurora did. She had crushed his spirit. He felt disgusted for ever loving her. All he wanted was to take revenge on her and her family. Obviously not his Blanca. He would never lay a finger on her. She was the only good thing in her family he thought.

"May I come in?" Miguel asked as he got in and stood in front of Bruno.

"You are already inside." Bruno sat up straight and wiped his tears before Miguel could see it.

"Bro." Miguel sat beside Bruno. "Do you think Aurora could kill our father? The girl was madly in love with you back then."

"So, what if she loved me?"

"I think she is innocent."

"I will see it for myself after she is convicted."

"So, are you still going to be with Blanca after all this? You know, they are identical, so would you cope seeing the mirror of our father's killer?"

"All I know is that I want to be with Blanca despite our families' conflict." He cheeks reddened. "The only thing that will separate us is death."

"You love her, don't you?"

"So much bro. She is all I ever wanted. She is just perfect for me! She is a great lover."

"Then marry her bro." Miguel punched Bruno's shoulder.

"No way! I am not the marrying type. Marriage is for people like José."

"Once a womaniser, always a womaniser."

"Come on man, you of all people know I have been clean ever since I got back with Blanca. But I am having second thoughts about this marriage thing. Blanca is a great person, but kind of a marriage will it be when she is my business rival. I know I shouldn't mix business with pleasure but once we are married, things will be different."

Miguel shook his head and sighed heavily. "I do not trust her. I do not think she will leave A.C for the sake of your marriage. Try to convince her."

Bruno raised his eyebrows. "Me? Do you know how hot-headed Blanca is? She will rather leave me than her precious career. And I cannot risk losing her. We will just sign a document that forbids each of us from meddling in each other's businesses."

"This is crazy! Imagine what the media will say. Picture this: The CEOs of biggest rival companies, A.C and SCC enter a scared union."

Bruno laughed his lungs out. He got up. "Let's go to La Reina."

"Brilliant idea." Miguel stood up and cheered. "I will invite Juan Pablo. He brings life to...

Bruno remembered the bet. "No!" Ever since that night, he vowed to never go to La Reina with Juan Pablo.

***~~~***

A lot of people surrounded the Los Angeles Police Department waiting for Cristobal to arrive with the convict. The press was ready to claw on her with questions that will make their papers to sell even more. The officers asked each other who leaked the information to the public without conclusive evidence. They had been put to shame by the Altamira's multiple times and they did not want to go through it once more.

Three black SUVs arrived and stopped at the entrance of the department. Cristobal got out and walked to the SUV in the middle. An officer opened the back passenger door and Aurora walked out. The crowd of reporters ran over to her and threw a lot of questions at her face. Aurora felt defeated on hearing the people chant she was a murderer. It was nightmare she was struggling to wake up from. But that was nothing compared to the pain she felt when she saw the hate in Bruno's eyes. It was unbearable.

She turned and looked at Cristobal. "Get me inside."

He grabbed her arm and walked her inside. The officers shielded her from the crowd. Everyone treated her lowly forgetting how powerful her family was and they had influence in many high places

Without any delay, Cristobal took her in for questioning. He knew placing Aurora behind bars was a step closer to making Angel pay for what happened to his family. He suspected that the car crush that took his wife and son was caused by Angel. He was determined to bring Angel to his knees. He sat down parallel to Aurora.

"So, Ms Altamira, we finally meet after ten good years. I must hand it to you, you are one sneaky b***h. I have evidence that can keep you in jail for the rest of your life. You will rot in here and your family will follow you to hell."

Aurora kept silent and looked at the detective pondering at what evidence he was parading on and about. Her mind was very blurry and couldn't remember how she might have killed Juan Karlos. Who could have framed me for a murder I might not have committed? Why don't I remember? She breathed heavily. She was so mesmerised with the thoughts that she couldn't hear Cristobal.

Seeing she wasn't listening to him; Cristobal banged the table. "Ms Altamira, where were you on that fateful night Mr Santa Cruz was murdered?"

She stared into his eyes with deep hatred. "I won't speak until my lawyer comes. I know my rights detective."

"Even if you get yourself a lawyer, I am quite sure the Santa Cruz brothers will do all in their power to get you a death sentence."

Aurora laughed. "You seem to forget who my father is. He will get me out of here in no time."

"Keep on dreaming. You will rot behind bars."

"The Altamira's are very wealthy, and they will get me the best lawyer in California." Aurora said with great confidence. "And when I get out of here, I will make sure you pay for this humiliation. You see detective, you are just a nobody, and you don't have what it takes to bring me and my family down."

Cristobal was angered. "Your family might be powerful but not in this department! I will show you."

As he was still talking, Dante walked inside. "There you are wrong detective, and I will prove it to you. Please excuse us. I would love to talk to my client before the interrogation begins."

Cristobal rose and got out of the room with his tail stuck between his legs. He knew Dante Gonzalez was the most powerful criminal lawyer in the country and he has never lost a case.

"Uncle Dante, what are you doing here?"

"Your father wants me to represent you." He sat beside Aurora.

"That's so kind of him. Anyway, please get me out of here. I can't stand this torment any longer. Please uncle."

"I need you to tell me the truth. I want to know what truly happened that night." Dante said pretending he did not know the whole truth, but he wanted to know how Aurora managed to escape from Juan Karlos's hands.

"I don't remember much of it. This story is difficult for me to tell."

"Take your time."

"It all started when Bruno introduced me to his father, Juan Karlos. He treated me as his own daughter but that was all a lie. He wanted to use me to get to my father... Well, that is the whole story. Uncle, please get me out of this hellhole. It was a mistake. I was in a state of shock, and I thought running away was the best solution."

"That was a bad move. The prosecutor will use your disappearance as evidence to prove you killed Juan Karlos."

Time was up. Cristobal went back to the interrogation room. He sat down. "Shall we begin? Are you ready Miss?" Cristobal asked looking at Aurora.

She nodded.

"A footage shows Bruno Santa Cruz running after you at Beachview Hotel on the 27th of May 2000. You looked so devastated. Minutes later, you sister walked out in fury. Tell me, what happened in room 302? Why were you arguing with Juan Karlos's second son?"

Aurora was struck dumb. How did he find it? "Uhm...well...I...

"Detective Montenegro, that is intimate. Ask relevant questions."

"Okay. So where were you the night he was murdered?"

"I do not remember. It has been years detective."

"Allow me to refresh your mind. You went to La Reina at 9:30pm where you met up with Juan Karlos. Am I correct?"

She raised her eyebrows in shock. The knots in her stomach tightened. She was as nervous as hell. She looked at Dante and he motioned for her to disagree. "I do not know what you are talking about detective."

"Argh!" Cristobal was angered. "You know what am talking about. Tell me the truth now!" Cristobal shouted. "This is not yet over." He left noting that he wasn't going to get any information out of her.

After Cristobal left, Dante reminded her, "Don't c***k up. He may use the information against you in court."

"He is very scary but I will try."