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“Young waitress disappears without a trace. Rosa Delgado Morales, 23, last seen at her workplace on August 16. Police investigating potential links to organized crime.”
The article also included a photograph. Rosa had long black hair, expressive eyes, and a gentle, welcoming smile. It mentioned her two younger sisters and highlighted that she had contributed to maintaining the family home after losing their parents.
Miguel made a decision. He would find Rosa’s family. They deserved to know that he had uncovered something connected to her disappearance. The next morning, he arrived at the restaurant early, observing Aurelio Vázquez Herrera, the manager. Aurelio was well-dressed, in his fifties, and handled scheduling and payroll with efficiency. Employees seemed to respect him, yet Miguel sensed that some avoided prolonged conversations with him.
During lunch, Miguel approached Lucía Hernández Rojas, the longest-serving morning-shift employee. “Do you remember Rosa?” he asked gently.
Lucía nodded, her expression softening. “She was always punctual, never complained, and treated everyone kindly. That last night… she seemed uneasy. She asked if anyone could stay late with her. Aurelio claimed she left early because she wasn’t feeling well, but her belongings were left behind.”
Miguel asked for the family’s address. Lucía gave him one in the Riveras neighborhood of Sacramento. After work, Miguel navigated two buses to reach the house. A young woman answered the door.
“Are you looking for someone?” she asked.
“I’m looking for the Delgado family. I’m Miguel Torres. I work at the restaurant where Rosa used to work.”
Her expression hardened. “I’m Carmen, Rosa’s sister,” she said. “What do you know about her?”
Miguel explained everything. Carmen invited him inside and contacted her younger sister, Sandra, 20. Together, they examined the box Miguel had discovered. Rosa’s ring—a silver piece with their mother’s initials—was instantly recognized. Carmen and Sandra were visibly shaken.
Rosa’s last WhatsApp message, sent at 9:47 p.m. on August 16, 2011, read:
“Carmen, if I don’t arrive tomorrow, look at my work. Aurelio, it’s not what it seems.”
The sisters confirmed that Rosa had been pressured to handle extra tasks at the restaurant, counting money and organizing papers. Miguel, Carmen, and Sandra decided to approach the police. The detective originally in charge, Rodrigo Martínez Solano, was skeptical at first.
“This case has been closed,” he said, flipping through the old files.
“Not anymore,” Miguel replied, placing the box on the desk. The photographs, the journal, and the ring suggested Rosa had anticipated danger. Detective Martínez examined the evidence with renewed focus, reading the journal aloud.
“The allegations against Aurelio are serious,” Martínez murmured. “We need corroboration. Miguel, how exactly did you find this?”
“I discovered the box hidden under a loose floor tile. It seemed deliberate,” Miguel explained.
Martínez scrutinized the photographs. The man counting money was unfamiliar—older, robust, with distinctive rings. The boxes’ labels hinted at non-menu items.
“I will reopen the investigation,” Martínez decided. “But discretion is critical. If Rosa uncovered illegal activities at the restaurant, those responsible might act to protect themselves.”
He gave Carmen a direct contact number and instructed the sisters to gather any further recollections of Rosa’s last days. Sandra mentioned that strange visitors had been meeting Aurelio after hours, not to eat, but in the office. Cargo trucks had arrived at odd times, delivering products unrelated to the menu.
Miguel volunteered to observe nighttime operations, leveraging his position as a closing-shift employee. Martínez reviewed the initial report: Aurelio claimed Rosa left early due to illness. But the final WhatsApp message contradicted that timeline.
“Her last message was sent at 9:47 p.m.,” Sandra reminded him. “She never left without notice.”
Detective Martínez made a note. He planned to re-interview Aurelio and employees from that night, and request entry logs for the restaurant to determine who had come and gone. Later that afternoon, Martínez, accompanied by Miguel, arrived at El Fogón del Norte.
Aurelio greeted them with courtesy, but Miguel noticed tension as Martínez identified himself. During a tour of the premises, Miguel observed Aurelio avoiding mention of the private office behind the kitchen. Martínez insisted on inspecting the office, revealing a metal desk, files, a small safe, and several cardboard boxes—the very ones appearing in Rosa’s photographs.
Aurelio claimed the boxes contained cleaning supplies and office products, citing routine supplier deliveries. Miguel examined the labels: unfamiliar company names, no clear addresses. Martínez photographed the evidence, requesting records.
Aurelio complied, providing invoices, all signed by Blanca Estrada Núñez, who held varying titles in the companies. Her role appeared legitimate, but Miguel could sense subtle inconsistencies in Aurelio’s demeanor: slight sweating, jerky movements, a nervous edge.
“Do you know her personally?” Martínez asked.
“She handles accounts for several local restaurants,” Aurelio replied.
Miguel watched closely, realizing this investigation was only just beginning. The truth about Rosa Delgado Morales—and what she had uncovered—was slowly coming to light, and he was now determined to see justice served.
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