He shook his head. "Adolfo was going to the radio station last night," he sobbed. "That is all I know. I do not know what business he had there other than to deliver a tape recording. I came back this morning on my way to bless the waters. I wanted to see if he was all right. I found him like this."

"You saw no one coming or leaving?"

"No one."

María regarded him for a moment longer. Her brow was deeply knit, her eyes smouldering. "One question more. Father. Can you tell us where to find the Ramirez boatworks?"

"Ramirez," the priest said. He took a long tremulous breath. "Dolfo mentioned him. My brother said that Ramirez and his friends were responsible for killing an American."

"Yes," said María. She cocked a thumb over her shoulder. "They killed this woman's partner."

"Oh-I'm so sorry," Norberto said to Aideen. His eyes returned to María. "But Ramirez is dead. My brother-saw to that."

"I know," María said.

"What do you want with his people?"

"To talk to them," María said. "To see if they were involved in this." She nodded toward Adolfo. "To see if we can prevent more murders, stop the fighting from escalating."

"Do you think that's possible?"

"If we get to them in time," María said. "If we learn what they know about Amadori and his people. But please, Father. We must hurry. Do you know where the factory is?"

Norberto took another deep breath. "It's northeast along the shore. Let me come with you."

"No," said María.

"This is my parish-"

"That's right," she said, "and your parish desperately needs your help. I don't. If the people panic, if their fear frightens away tourists, think what will happen to the region."

Norberto bowed his forehead into his hand.

"This is a lot to ask of you now, I know," María said. "But you have to do this. I'm going to go to the factory to talk with the workers. If what I think is happening is happening, then I know who the enemy is. And maybe it's not too late to stop him."

Norberto looked up. He pointed behind him without turning. "Dolfo thought he knew who the enemy was. He paid for that belief with his life. Perhaps with his soul."

María locked her eyes on his and held them. "Thousands of others may join him if I don't hurry. I'll phone the local police from the car. They'll take care of your brother."

"I'll stay with him until then."

"Of course," María said, turning toward Aideen.

"And I will pray for you both."

"Thank you," María said. She stopped and turned back. "While you're at it. Father, pray for the one who needs it most. Pray for Spain."

Less than two minutes later they were back in the car and heading northeast across the river.