Chapter 3 - THE INTERCEPTION
The crematorium was located on the outskirts of Seville, surrounded by weeping willows. Valeria and Diego stood in the viewing room, dressed in immaculate mourning attire. The casket was closed, resting on the conveyor belt leading to the incinerator. They were chatting casually, sipping espresso, celebrating their victory.
"Once the ashes are scattered, we sign the contract with the Swiss conglomerate," Diego smirked, adjusting his sunglasses. "Fifty million euros, Mother. And Mateo will be too busy crying in a corner to even notice."
"He was always weak," Valeria scoffed. "A pathetic, sentimental boy."
The heavy metal doors of the viewing room slammed open. I walked in, flanked by two private security contractors I had hired that morning.
Valeria gasped, dropping her espresso cup. It shattered on the marble floor. "Mateo! What is the meaning of this? The ceremony is private!"
"There isn't going to be a ceremony," I said, stepping past her and placing my hand on Elena's casket. I looked directly at the mortician, who was trembling in the corner. "I am the legal next of kin. I am halting this cremation indefinitely by order of the provincial court."
I slapped a court injunction onto the casket. Hector had called in a favor with a federal judge outside of my family's jurisdiction.
Diego lunged forward, his face twisting in rage. "You can't do this! The medical examiner already signed the release! You are disrespecting her memory!"
"I am protecting her body from her murderers," I whispered, stepping right into Diego's space. I looked at the scratch on his neck. "That looks painful, Diego. Did she fight back hard?"
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Diego froze. All the color drained from his arrogant face. Valeria let out a strangled gasp, stepping back as if I had struck her.
"Federal marshals are taking the body to Madrid for an independent, uncorrupted autopsy," I announced, my voice echoing in the cold room. "Your game is over."
