The captain motioned to a soldier, who struck Juan in the small of the back with his truncheon. Juan groaned and arched painfully but María didn't react. The captain had been watching her.

"You know who committed the crime?" the captain asked.

"I know more than that," María replied.

The captain stopped just a few feet from María. He studied her for a long moment.

"Sir," she said. "I'm going to release the sergeant and turn over his weapon. Then I have a request to make."

María didn't give the officer time to think. She lowered the gun, pushed the sergeant away, then handed the pistol grip first to the captain. He motioned for the sergeant to accept it. The man took the gun and hesitated before returning it to his holster.

The captain's eyes were still on María. "Come with me," he said.

He'd bought it. He turned and María followed him toward his office. She'd moved up the ladder. They entered the Hall of Columns, which was exactly that. Desks, chairs, telephones, and computers were being moved in. The large room was being turned into a command center. As soon as they were inside, the captain turned to María.

"What you did out there was very bold," he said.

"My mission demanded it," she replied. "I can't afford to be stopped."

"What is your name?" he asked.

"María Corneja," she replied.

"I had heard that the bomber was dead, María," the captain said. "Who killed him?"

"Members of the familia," she replied. "But that's a small problem. They weren't in it alone."

"What do you mean?"

"They are being supported by the United States," she said. "I have names and I have details of what they're planning next."

"Tell me," he said.

"I will tell you," María said, "at the same time that I tell the general."

The captain sneered. "Don't haggle with me. I could turn you over to my interrogation group and have the information myself."

"Perhaps," she replied. "But you'd be losing a valuable ally. And besides. Captain, are you so sure you'd get the information in time?"

The sneer remained on his face as he considered what she'd just said. Suddenly, he motioned to a soldier who was carrying in a pair of chairs. He set them down, ran over, and saluted.

"Stay with her," the captain said.

"Yes, sir," the young soldier replied.

The captain left the room. María lit a cigarette and offered the soldier one. He declined, respectfully. As she inhaled, María considered what she'd do if the captain said the general wouldn't see her. She'd have to try to get away. Let Luis know somehow where the madman-who-would-be-king was hiding. Then hope that someone could get in here and dethrone him.