“Yes,” she said. “Why?”
I looked at Emiliano.
He was watching me like everything depended on my next words.
“Put me on speaker,” I said.
“Dad, what’s going on?”
“Just do it.”
A click.
“Okay,” Daniela said. “You’re on speaker.”
I let a second pass.
Then—
“Héctor,” I said, “we need to talk.”
Another pause.
Then his voice.
Calm.
Measured.
“I’m here.”
I leaned back slightly in the seat.
“Where are you planning to be tonight?”
Silence.
Then Daniela again.
“What kind of question is that?”
I didn’t answer her.
“Héctor?” I repeated.
“I’ll be home,” he said. “Why?”
His tone didn’t change.
Not even slightly.
That was the problem.
“Stay there,” I said.
Then I hung up.
Emiliano blinked.
“What now?” he whispered.
