I Pretended to Be Sick to Skip School — But That Afternoon I Discovered Something at Home I Wasn’t Ready For

The officer opened it—and moments later pulled out the velvet pouch.

When he revealed the glittering necklace, Carmen gasped.

“You’re under arrest, ma’am,” Garza said.

“Wait!” Valeria shouted.

She stepped forward bravely.

“My mom didn’t do it. My aunt Leticia put that here today to frame her.”

Garza frowned skeptically.