Chapter 9 - Sirens on the Gran Vía
|
Within four minutes, blue and red lights flashed through the tall glass windows of the restaurant. Two uniformed officers from the Policía Nacional stepped through the heavy wooden entrance, their boots echoing against the floor.
The head manager, Álvaro, immediately walked over to brief them, pointing toward our booth and gesturing up at the security camera.
One officer, an older man with graying hair and a stern face, approached our table. "Good evening. Who made the emergency call?"
"I did, Officer," I said, stepping forward. "I am Elena Morales."
The officer looked at my red-stained face, hair, and dress, then turned his gaze toward Rafael, whose shirt cuff still carried droplets of the spilled wine.
"Sir, step away from the table and keep your hands visible," the officer commanded strictly.
"Officer, this is a massive misunderstanding!" Mariana interjected, trying to use her cultured accent to win him over. "My son and daughter-in-law had a small marital spat over dinner! She is exaggerating everything to cause a scene!"
The officer raised a gloved hand, cutting her off instantly. "Ma'am, please step back and let me speak to the victim."
The second officer walked toward the manager's office to review the recorded CCTV footage.
Five minutes passed in heavy silence. Rafael stood near the bar, flanked by the officer, sweating profusely through his expensive suit. Mariana paced back and forth, muttering threats about her lawyers.
The second officer returned from the back room, his face grave. He looked at his partner and nodded slowly.
May you like
"The camera clearly captured the incident," the second officer stated. "The suspect grabbed the glass, hurled the contents directly into the victim's face, and raised his fist while making verbal threats."
The main officer turned to Rafael, unhooking his handcuffs. "Rafael Delgado, you are being placed under arrest for domestic assault and public intimidation."
