The Asunta Case (El caso Asunta)

BASED ON A TRUE STORY

When people say it's "charitable work," I don't like that.

Or when people say adoption is a trend.

Honesty, if it's charity you're after, then volunteer at an organization.

When you think you've had enough, you can just quit.

Parenting is different. I mean, it's something that's for life.

There's no comparison.

Adopting is the same as biological parenthood.

Although the process is obviously very different.

At the time we did it,

the phenomenon of international adoptions was just starting to catch on.

And the Xunta services were quite overwhelmed.

Apparently, they were short-staffed. That's why.

Did you have a preference for a boy or a girl?

No. We didn't care, right, Alfonso?

No, we just wanted them to be between six and twelve months. That's all.

Did you have any problems?

If you're referring to the... to the required financial investment,

I can tell you that our family always has been very fortunate in that regard.

I was actually asking about when you went to go get her.

What was it like the first time you saw her?

- Ah, well... Wow. - What can I say?

It's one of those moments we won't...

- we won't ever forget, right dear? - No. No. No.

6 YEARS LATER

SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

SATURDAY

Please. There aren't many girls like her in Santiago.

- Age? - Twelve. Thirteen this month.

Okay.

You said you left the girl at home?

Yes, she stayed home doing her homework.

My daughter is very hard-working. Very, very hard-working.

What time was that?

It was earlier tonight, around 7:00 p.m.

I went out to do some errands and when I returned, she wasn't home.

When was that?

It must have been... 9:30.

An hour ago?

Yes, but she never leaves home alone.

I thought she was having dinner with her father.

I live right by her, on República Argentina,

it's half a block from her.

Practically around the corner.

- You talk to her on the phone? - No.

I know the door was locked.

I just assumed she went to her father's apartment.

Did you try calling your family? Her friends?

No, I mean, uh, her godmother is waiting for her at the apartment.

But, um, our daughter, she's not very social.

Her phone was in her room.

Well, it's normal for kids to do these kinds of things.

Give it a couple of hours, she'll likely show up.

- But... - What? No.

You have to trust me, okay? My daughter's not like that.

I need you to find her.

Alfonso, they're coming to my place

to see if we missed something.

- If we missed something? - Yes.

You know what? Maybe...

Hey, you! Where are you going?

- Where's he going? - I don't know.

Where did you run off to?

Sorry, officer. I went home.

I make a bet with Asunta.

We race each other downstairs. From the sixth floor.

I take the elevator, she takes the stairs.

Look, Charito, it's the round one, remember? I marked it.

- Yes, yes, yes. - This one, right.

I was worried she may have tripped and was unconscious in the stairwell.

Mm.

The neighbor's dogs.

When they hear anyone enter the building it's nonstop barking.

Dolores, the police are here.

This is Dolores, Asunta's godmother.

She stayed here for us in case she came back.

Hi, honey.

Where's the girl?

She's still missing.

Well, well...

God willing, you'll find her soon. Please, officer.

We'll do our best, okay?

Sit down.

We're gonna have a look around. May I?

Oh, yes, of course.

She likes to sit on the floor when she studies.

She works very hard to pass her tests.

She's so gifted she even skipped a grade.

Llanos, stay here with Ms. Porto.

You live nearby, right?

Yes, I'm close. Next to the bank.

Let's go.

That's all you want to see?

Why are we going to my place?

Excuse me. Why don't you start looking for her?

Asunta always wins the race. The elevator's hydraulics are old.

Have a look around.

Where were you earlier today?

Between 7:00 and 10:00 p.m.

I was here, reading.

I turn off my cellphone so I can focus.

I turned it on and got Charo's texts.

I called her and she said our girl wasn't there when she got home.

It's such bullshit!

The train derails and it's the engineer's fault?

They pinned the whole fucking thing on the guy.

Eighty people kick the bucket, the company gets away with it.

Tell me they haven't tried that bullshit before.

The workers always take the blame, always. Mm.

Shh. Hey, let's go home, yeah?

We're done already?

Home is in the next bar. Tonight's festivities have just begun!

I'm fucking with you.

I don't wanna see the band, let's go to Samay club instead.

The girls there are desperate. The pursuit is half the fun.

To get the quality women you have to put in the effort.

Oh, motherfucker!

THE ASUNTA CASE

Ríos.

What?

Yes. I'll be over as soon as I'm dressed.

Sure, I can call the team.

What is it?

There's a body.

A little girl.

Poor thing.

Get some sleep if your granddaughter will let you.

- Be careful. - I will.

Shit.

Who's on call?

Judge Malvar. He's on his way. It'll be a long night.

- Yeah. - Mm.

- The men who found her are over here. - Where?

There. Vila and Núñez.

Great. The whole gang's here.

- We didn't do anything, Javier. - We're on a first name basis?

- Sorry, officer. - Did you two touch anything? I know you.

- No, nothing, I swear. - Huh.

- Do you have a job around here? - Working isn't their strong suit. Right?

What were you up to?

We were going to a party, just walking up the road.

Out of nowhere, we saw, something.

In this dark you saw something? A miracle white light just shone down?

No, the moon.

Okay, everybody, please turn your headlights off for a second.

The moon, huh? Yeah, right.

Hey, do you think we're morons?

Of course not, officer, no one said that.

There's a dead girl here. Enough bullshit, tell the truth.

I need to know if you were really walking or not.

- Thank you. - Of course.

- Bye. - Bye.

Nothing.

These two have been drinking since four in the afternoon.

- They left without paying. - Seriously?

It seems like all you do is drink.

I don't know what you're looking for

but that's all we did, really.

We were a little buzzed and my license was suspended.

I thought reporting the little girl was more important.

So we left the car and came back to call it in.

Do you buy the license story?

Around here we say, "Anyone with an ass is afraid."

Anyway, these two here are cowards.

They still called it in.

Cristina, the police station in Santiago has a missing girl report.

- An Asian girl? - Yes, twelve.

- They're sending the picture now. - Thanks.

You'll give statements tomorrow in Santiago.

- Can they leave? - Yeah. Let them sleep it off.

PHARMACY

- You never get used to this, am I right? - No. I'd be worried if you did.

Honestly, you know what I think?

If humans were extinct the world would be a lot better. Right?

- Oh, man. - What?

Don't be such a drama queen, do you hear yourself? Come on.

You're mostly right. The shit we have to see is truly horrible.

It really is the worst of the worst.

But we still have to be grateful for the good things in life.

There's some good, right?

Right, there's the good stuff. Then you have children.

As we say here in Galicia, "Have kids and double your work."

- Know what that means? - No.

You will, don't worry.

Hello?

Civil Guard.

Alfonso...

Are you Asunta Basterra Porto's father?

- Yes. - Is it her?

No.

No. Don't tell me that.

- It's not her, you have to keep looking. - We're very sorry.

This is impossible. It's not her.

Could we come in?

Alfonso. Alfonso.

No.

This can't be.

LOCK THE DOOR AT NIGHT

I don't believe it. What happened?

It's important that you come with us to identify the body.