Chapter 6 - Hunting the Black Widow
With the poisoned goblet secured in an airtight container, we moved Connie into Walter’s truck. She was completely broken, terrified of both the law and the ruthless siblings who had orchestrated my demise. But her terror made her useful; she was now our inside source on Leticia’s exact itinerary for the morning.
"Leticia gave me a schedule," Connie whispered, pulling a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket. "At nine thirty, she has an appointment at the First Commercial Bank on Central Avenue. She’s meeting with your personal banker, Raymond Vance."
"Raymond Vance?" I interrupted, my eyes narrowing. "His name isn't Vance. My banker is Raymond Castillo. He’s handled my business accounts for a decade."
"No," Connie stammered, shaking her head. "She had your account manager reassigned last month through a corporate executive referral. The new branch manager is Raymond Vance—Octavio’s older brother."
Walter slammed his hand against the steering wheel. "A three-man cell! One to seduce, one to enforce, and one inside the banking institution to expedite the transfer of funds before the death certificate even clears probate!"
The sheer scale of their operation was breathtaking. They hadn't just targeted me; they had systematically dismantled every safeguard protecting my life savings. With a corrupt insider at the bank, Leticia didn't need to wait for months of estate battles. She could execute survivorship clauses, liquidate my retirement portfolios, and wire millions to untraceable offshore shell companies before lunchtime.
"What about Valerie?" I demanded, grabbing Connie’s arm. "Where is my daughter right now?"
"Leticia sent two of Octavio's associates to the ranch under the guise of an executive security detail," Connie confessed, cringing. "She told Valerie that you had suffered a minor stroke and were in intensive care at a private surgical clinic. They’re keeping her confined to the house so she doesn't check local emergency rooms."
The cold calculating cruelty of it turned my stomach. They had my little girl trapped under armed guard while they plundered our future. Every trace of mercy left my soul. These monsters had operated in the shadows across three states, leaving a trail of murdered husbands and destroyed families. It was ending today.
"We can't just call the local precinct," Walter analyzed sharply. "Raymond Vance will see any standard police inquiry flag in the system and trigger an immediate wire transfer of your funds. The moment the money leaves the country, Leticia and Octavio will flee to Mexico or the Caribbean, leaving Valerie as collateral damage."
"Then we hit them where they feel safest," I decided, staring at my reflection in the side mirror. My skin was still pale, dark circles bruising the underside of my eyes, but the fire inside me was burning white-hot. "We let Leticia walk into that bank thinking she’s a grieving widow about to inherit a fortune. Connie, you’re going to call her."
"What do I say?" Connie asked, trembling.
"Tell her you retrieved the glass and destroyed it," I instructed, leaning over the back of the seat. "Tell her nobody saw you, and that you’re going home to pack your bags as agreed. Make her believe she is completely untouchable."
Connie took a deep breath, dialed Leticia’s cell number on speaker, and delivered the lie with surprising conviction. On the other end, Leticia’s voice sounded melodic, icy, and totally composed.
"Good girl, Connie," Leticia purred over the speaker. "You did the right thing. Don't worry about Arthur. He’s in a better place now, and all our debts are settled. Don't call me again today. I’ll wire your share on Tuesday."
May you like
The line went dead.
Walter looked at me, a wolfish grin spreading across his aged face. "The trap is set. Let’s go pay your banker a visit, Mr. Mendoza."
