Time: 11:00 AM
While the investigation was still ongoing, Costa received a call.
"Hey Costa, what are you up to?" Vero asked in a calm voice.
"Nothing much. Just watching the news. I'm enjoying my three-day holiday," Costa replied, reading a message on a small phone.
The message read: Stay at home.
"Got any plans for today?" Vero asked, walking over to the sink.
"Yeah, I'm going to catch a movie at the theater." Costa turned off his phone.
"Alright. Enjoy," Vero replied, turning off the tap.
"Thanks. But why'd you call?" Costa asked as he lay back on his bed.
"I solved the case. Solid proof, everything. Can't talk about it over the phone. I'll see you tomorrow," Vero said with a slight chuckle in his voice.
"What? Seriously?" Costa's eyes widened.
"Yup. See you, man."
Vero hung up.
Costa sat up, both hands on his head. He stared at the ceiling for two whole minutes.
Then he picked up his phone and made a call.
One hour later
Knock knock.
"Who is it?" Jose asked as he opened the door.
It was Francisco, holding a gift bag.
"Ohh! Hey Francisco! Why didn't you just call me?" Jose asked, already starting to sweat, despite the AC being on.
"Aren't you going to let me in?" Francisco smiled.
"Oh, right...sorry. Come on in," Jose said, stepping aside.
"I thought you were going to the movies," Vero said, closing the door as Costa entered the house.
Costa was dressed in a grey hoodie, white sneakers, and jeans. His shoe size: 11.
"Yeah. But I changed my mind," Costa replied, wearing a mouth mask.
"Why the mask?" Vero asked, leading him to his private room.
"Got a bit of a cold," Costa answered as he examined the diagram Vero had drawn.
In the center were the three shopkeepers, connected with red threads to Angelo and Francisco. Francisco was connected to Jose, and then more red threads linked Jose, Francisco, and Angelo to some boys who had played soccer with them in the park.
"That's.... a lot of people," Costa muttered.
"And these aren't even all of them. There's someone bigger backing this whole thing. That's why they've never made a mistake," Vero said, handing Costa a glass of water.
Costa took it. "Where are your wife and son?"
"Are you kidding me? I found a key lead. I sent them away. If something happens to me, fine....but I won't let them get hurt," Vero said, sipping from his own glass.
"So, what's the plan?" Vero placed his phone on the table and looked at Costa, who had only finished half the water.
"Hey, I think your phone's ringing," Costa said, reaching into his pocket.
Vero glanced at his phone, and the screen lit up....unlocked by facial recognition.
Nothing.
"Seriously? Don't joke around like that...."
Bang.
A shot pierced through Vero's skull from the side. His body collapsed onto the floor, blood pooling quickly.
Costa stood up. His seat was wet from the water he had spilled.
"Wearing rubber gloves feels weird," he muttered, picking up Vero's car keys. Then he took the evidence sheet Vero had created and burned it.
Time: 1:00 PM
Before leaving, Costa picked Vero's unlocked phone with his fingerprint and waited for two minutes.
A call came from Costa's own phone. But Costa was only holding Vero's phone and the car keys.
He didn't answer.
When the call ended, he dialed his own number again....and didn't answer that either.
He left, but the soles of his shoes left bloody prints behind.
Before exiting, he pulled a monkey mask out from under his hoodie and slipped it on. He then left in Vero's car.
Time: 1:15 PM
Vero's phone began to ring again. Five missed calls from his wife.
"I'm sorry…..... I didn't have a choice," Jose cried in front of Francisco.
"It's okay. I get it. If I were in your place, I'd have done the same. Don't worry, I'd never betray a brother....even if it kills me," Francisco said, tapping Jose's shoulder.
"What did he tell you?" Francisco asked, cracking open a soda bottle.
Flashback:
"You kids....… what are you, 16? 17? Not even 18 yet. Just admit it, Jose. If you tell me everything, I promise...none of your friends or family will get hurt. Trust me," Vero said gently, sitting beside a sobbing Jose.
"You swear that if I tell the truth, you'll keep them safe? Just say it!" Jose's face was streaked with tears and mucus.
"I swear," Vero smiled, then walked away.
Present:
"It's fine now. He's dead," Francisco said, showing Jose a message from Costa.
"What? How?" Jose asked, stunned.
"Heh…... did you really think a drug ring this big could run without some serious backing?" Francisco smirked.
"You mean....… wait, don't tell me..." Jose covered his mouth in disbelief.
"That's right. The mayor's on our side. By the way, that scarf looks nice. Mind if I take it?" Francisco pointed at a red and blue scarf.
"Sure," Jose said, handing it to him from the hanger.
"Stop. We need to check your car," a cop said, halting a vehicle in Esposende.
"Of course, officer. But may I ask what this is about?" The shopkeeper stepped out calmly.
Two officers began searching the car thoroughly. All that remained was the trunk.
"We're looking for a large firearm," one officer said, patting the car.
"I understand, sir. But I don't have any weapons," the shopkeeper replied, standing still.
"Just doing our duty. Won't take long. Open the trunk, and you'll be on your way," the other officer said, moving to the back.
The shopkeeper opened the trunk
...and the officer's expression changed.