Breathing proved extremely painful for McCaskey. But as his FBI mentor, Assistant Director Jim Jones, once pointed out, "The alternative is not breathing and that ain't better." Bulletproof vests were designed to stop slugs from entering the body. Vests couldn't stop them from impacting hard and breaking ribs or-depending upon the caliber and proximity of firing-from causing internal bleeding. Yet as much as McCaskey was in pain, his concern was not for himself. He was worried about María. He had delayed going out, to see if he could get into Amadori's uniform. But the general was too tall, the clothes were too bloody, and McCaskey couldn't speak Spanish. A bluff would only delay the soldiers for a moment or two-not worth the effort.

Suddenly, there was a beep down the hall. It was an incoming message on the major general's radio. McCaskey figured they didn't have long before the soldiers came to see why the man wasn't answering.

More soldiers began arriving in the courtyard. McCaskey poked his head out the door. To the east of the arches was Calle de Bailén-and freedom. But it was over one hundred yards to the road. Once María left the safety of the arches there would be nothing to shield her from the soldiers. And she'd be carrying Luis instead of her weapon. McCaskey didn't know whether the soldiers would cut her down. He did know that they'd be foolish to let her or anyone else go. Not after all they'd witnessed here about the treatment of prisoners.

McCaskey decided that he was going to have to try to get to María and cover her as she left. As he was about to ask Ferdinand for his help, the Spaniard said something and offered McCaskey his hand.

"Is he planning to leave us?" McCaskey asked.

"He is," replied Norberto.

"Hold on," McCaskey said. He refused to take Ferdinand's hand. "Tell him that I need his help getting to María. He can't go."

Norberto translated for McCaskey. Ferdinand answered, shaking his head while he did.

"He says he's sorry," Norberto informed McKaskey, "but familia needs him."

"I need him too!" McCaskey snapped. "I've got to reach Luis and María-get them out of here."

Ferdinand turned to go.

"Dammit," McCaskey shouted, "I need someone to cover me!"

"Let him go," Norberto said flatly. "We'll both go to your friends. They won't shoot us."

"They will when they realize that their leaders are dead."

There were loud footsteps down the hall. They were followed by gunshots. Ferdinand screamed.

"Shit!" McCaskey yelled. "Let's go."

Father Norberto's face was impassive but he hesitated.

"You can't help him," McCaskey said and started toward the door. "Come on."