María followed the young captain into the corridor, confident that she could trust the officer to bring her to Amadori. Neither the captain nor the general had anything to gain by tricking her. They had to be curious about the information she said she possessed. And if he didn't trust her, he wouldn't be in front of her. He'd be behind her, with a gun.

Nonetheless, she was startled by the relative ease with which she'd been able to bully the captain. Either he was inexperienced or far more clever than she gave him credit for.

He turned to the left. María stopped.

"I thought we were going to see the general," she said.

"We are," the captain replied. He extended his arm down the hallway-away from the Hall of Halberdiers.

"Isn't he in the throne room?" she asked.

"The throne room?" The captain laughed loudly. "Wouldn't that be somewhat presumptuous?"

"I don't know," she replied. "Isn't being in this palace somewhat presumptuous?"

"Not when the king returns to Madrid and we need to protect him," the captain said. "We intend to secure both of the royal palaces."

"But there were guards-"

"Protecting the chamber from the prisoners." The captain bowed his head in the direction of his outstretched hand. "The general is in the state dining room with his advisors."

María looked at him. She didn't believe him. She didn't know why; she just didn't.

"But the question is not where the general is located," the captain continued. "The question is whether you have something to tell him or not. Are you coming, Seńorita Corneja?"

María looked down. For now, she had no choice but to do what she was told. "I'm coming," she said, and walked toward the captain.

The officer turned and strode briskly along the brightly lit corridor, and then around the corner. María walked a little slower, remaining several steps behind him. Other soldiers moved quickly along the corridor. Some of them had prisoners, others were on field phones. A few were carrying computer equipment into rooms. None of them was paying her any attention.

This didn't feel right but María had to play it out. Yes, she was coming-but not without precautions.

"Would you like a cigarette?" she asked the captain. She was already reaching into the breast pocket of her blouse. She removed the pack and took one of the cigarettes out. She tore a match from the book of matches.

"Thank you, no," said the captain. "Actually, we'd appreciate it if you didn't smoke here. So many treasures. A careless flick-"

"I understand," she said.