There it was—1:05 p.m.
The video clearly showed Leticia unlocking the door with a spare key and entering the apartment while holding the velvet bundle.
For the rest of the afternoon, Valeria continued investigating.
Looking through Leticia’s social media, she noticed photos with a new boyfriend named Antonio—a serious-looking man with tattooed arms. From tagged locations and comments, Valeria discovered he worked in abandoned warehouses on the south side of the city.
She saved screenshots of everything.
Photos of the necklace.
The security footage.
Antonio’s information.
Now all she had to do… was wait.
At 6:30 p.m., Carmen returned home exhausted but smiling, carrying gelatin for her “sick” daughter.
Valeria hugged her tightly.
“I feel much better, Mom,” she said.
They had just sat down in the kitchen when the doorbell rang loudly.
Three firm knocks followed.
Carmen opened the door to find two officers and a woman in a suit.
“Mrs. Carmen Mendoza?” asked Commander Garza. “Investigative Police. We received an anonymous report that stolen property from El Resplandor Jewelry is located at this address. We have a search warrant.”
Carmen turned pale.
“There must be a mistake,” she said nervously.
“We’ll see,” Garza replied.
The officers began searching the apartment.
One officer checked the coat rack.
Nothing.
“Commander, nothing here.”
“Search the closets.”
In the hallway closet, an officer pulled out the black leather handbag.
“Whose bag is this?”
“My sister Leticia’s,” Carmen answered shakily.
The officer opened it—and moments later pulled out the velvet pouch.
When he revealed the glittering necklace, Carmen gasped.
“You’re under arrest, ma’am,” Garza said.
“Wait!” Valeria shouted.
She stepped forward bravely.
“My mom didn’t do it. My aunt Leticia put that here today to frame her.”
Garza frowned skeptically.
Valeria quickly opened the laptop.
“I have proof.”
She played the security footage showing Leticia entering the apartment.
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