"She's definitely two and a half months along," he said finally, each word clipped and deliberate. "She worked as a stripper. There must be some record somewhere, clients, regulars, security footage. Something."
Mateo shifted his weight. "We already looked, Chief. Apart from Carlos Eduardo, there's… nothing. As for her work, she always came home sober. If she had known the father's identity, she likely would have figured it out by now. There's no other trace we can find."
Santiago shook his head slowly, his eyes narrowing. "Or… could someone have forced her?"
Mateo flinched at the word. The possibility felt heavy, almost unthinkable, but Santiago spoke of it with the same calm detachment he used for any tactical detail.
"Rape?" Santiago continued, his voice low but firm. "No. She wouldn't have fought this hard to keep the baby if that were the case. She seems relieved at the idea of preserving it. That child… she needs it alive. It matters to her."
