Page 160 of Capuleto

Arasagasti's crime had been crossing paths with Yuri Korolev while the latter was looking for a scapegoat. Fate had them meet in a club dedicated to free will. After a few rounds paid for by the Russian, Arasagasti loosened his tongue. Given how persuasive my brother-in-law could be, it didn't surprise me that the Basque told him his life story.

It's not wise to talk about yourself without knowing if the person in front of you is the devil himself.

Arasagasti had certain sexual fantasies he had tried to repress. Dark fantasies his faith wouldn't allow him to fulfill. But that night, something changed.

Karlos used to get excited watching porn videos featuring transgender people and liked the idea of paying for sex. Both things excited him greatly, and Yuri made sure to indulge him.

It was a night where he experienced what he longed for. He said he felt a disinhibition he had never experienced before, which led him to give in to his most mundane impulses.

The crisis he had with Andrea, mentioned in the report, originated from that night.

The next day, a mysterious letter appeared in the mailbox. It was addressed to his wife and included a photo where he was naked, hugging a blonde from behind with a schlong that reached her knee. Karlos was holding that member with delight while she clung to his neck. A full-on handjob, in other words.

When he came home from work, Andrea was waiting for him in the kitchen, her eyes red from crying and the photo stuck to the fridge with a magnet.

Arasagasti swore and swore it was a Photoshop montage, that he had no idea who could have wanted to play such a cruel joke on them, and that he would never be unfaithful to her, especially not with that creature that didn’t belong to God’s kingdom.

Despite his laments, Andrea didn’t believe him. She decided to put some distance between them to clear her head and chose to spend three months in Galicia on a spiritual retreat.

Hounded by her family, who couldn’t understand why their daughter had left Karlos so abruptly and who would never have accepted divorce as an option, she returned under her husband’s promise that he would dedicate himself body and soul to making her happy.

The same day Andrea left for Galicia, Karlos received a phone call. Korolev told him that if he didn’t want all the images to be released, he would have to do something for him whenever he asked. As a show of good faith, he sent him some of the photos. Let’s just say the one his wife received was the least shocking.

Arasagasti had no choice but to accept; it was either that or see his life destroyed, as his in-laws were very powerful, and his good job positions had been due to the influence of his wife’s father, who was connected to the Basque government.

The day Yuri picked up the phone to talk to him again was to tell him to move immediately.

“The one who just left your office…?” I asked out of simple curiosity. He nodded wearily.

“I love my wife more than anything in this world, but I can’t help feeling that impulse. Since I tried it that night, I haven’t been able to get the idea of repeating it out of my head. My flesh is weak. I’ve put it off until I couldn’t anymore. In fact, today was the first time I’ve paid for her services since I’ve been here. I know what’s happening to me is disgusting, and if I could avoid it, I would, I swear, but it’s stronger than everything.”

“You don’t have to explain this to me; I’m not Andrea.” The mention of his wife made him wince with guilt. “Yuri is the one who killed Gálvez?”

“Yes. I have no proof to incriminate him, but he suggested several times that he could end me the way he did with him, and I have no doubt it was him.”

“My brother-in-law has a place at the port.” His lip trembled. “I want you to tell me where it is.”

“If I tell you, I’m finished.”

“If you don’t tell me, you’re definitely finished.”

My phone vibrated before Arasagasti could respond. I asked for a minute while he thought carefully about his answer and took the opportunity to look at the screen. There was Segarra’s message, along with the location I had requested. Below it, the following text appeared:

“You’ve got it 500 meters away. I’m looking at destinations.”

I enlarged the image and showed it to Arasagasti without saying a word. There was no need to; the look on his face told me that Segarra was right, and I had found the rat's lair. Yuri was so close I could almost smell him.

"Is this his place?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Very well. It's late, go home."

"What are you going to do?"

"End your blackmailer and reclaim what’s mine. From today onwards, you answer only to me."

"Will you tell Andrea…?" He paused dramatically. "I know Nikita and she get along very well. My wife is thrilled about the art school project. I've never seen her so happy, and I wouldn’t want to ruin that…"