Manuel Reinaldo Méndez Serrano, a 60-year-old lieutenant of the Civil Guard, remembers with fear the day he was the victim of an attack at the Arechavaleta barracks in Vizcaya, which resulted in the death of his colleague, guard Adrián González. The incident, in which both stepped on a bomb trap, left him alone in a place full of drug traffickers and paramilitaries. Despite the fear, Manuel managed to return safely to Spain.
In his youth, at 19, Manuel joined the Civil Guard and was assigned to Barcelona. There, he began his professional career before being sent to serve in the Basque provinces and Navarra. Over time, he was promoted to sergeant and became part of the tax unit at Reina Sofía Airport in Tenerife, where he supervised suspicious flights, particularly those coming from Venezuela.
After years of active service, Manuel retired in May, having closed a chapter in his life. During his career, he also found time to travel around America and write several books about his experiences and observations in Mexico, Guatemala, and Cuba.
Manuel describes his work life as a constant challenge, especially during his years in the Basque Country, where he suffered several attacks. Despite having lived through difficult moments, he emphasizes the importance of moving forward and continuing to write to give voice to his experiences.
In his first detective novel titled 'Short Step, Long View, and Bad Intentions,' Manuel captures part of his life and feelings. The story highlights the daily hard work of the Judicial Police teams of the Civil Guard, as well as the difficulties they face due to a lack of resources.
Manuel, who has experienced difficult and tragic moments during his service, highlights the bravery and sacrifice of his colleagues. Over the years, he has investigated various cases and has lived through extreme situations, but he continues to move forward with determination.
Now, in his retirement, Manuel reflects on his career and the challenges he faced, remembering his fallen colleagues and the difficulties they went through together. Through his novel and his life experiences, he seeks to honor the work of the Civil Guard and raise awareness about the challenges they face daily.
