"I believe we were," she replied. She had expected the question and now she wanted to be very careful about how she answered it.

"Do you know why?" he asked.

"No," she said.

"Have you any suspicions? Are you involved in any kind of political activity? Do you belong to any groups?"

She shook her head.

There was a knock on the door. The inspector ignored it. He regarded Aideen harshly and in silence.

"Seńorita Temblón," he said, "Forgive me for pressing you at this time, but a killer is free in the streets of my city. I want him. Can you think of no reason that someone would want to attack you or your friend?"

"Comisario," she replied, "I have never been to Spain nor do I know anyone here. My companion was here years ago but she has-she had-no friends or enemies that I know of."

There was a second knock. The inspector went to the door and opened it. Aideen couldn't see who was standing outside.

"Sí?" the inspector asked.

"Comisario," said a man, "Deputy Serrador wishes for the woman to be brought to his office at once."

"Does he?" the inspector asked. He turned and looked at Aideen. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Perhaps, seńorita, the deputy wishes to apologize in person for this terrible tragedy."

Aideen said nothing.

"Or perhaps there is some other reason for the audience?" the inspector suggested.

Aideen rose. "If there is, Comisario Fernandez, I won't know that until I see him."

The inspector folded away his notebook and bowed courteously. If he were annoyed with her he didn't show it. He thanked Aideen for her assistance, apologized again for what had happened, then extended an arm toward the open door. Aideen left the room. The sergeant who had brought her inside was waiting. He greeted her with a bow and they walked down the corridor together.

Aideen felt bad for the inspector. He had an investigation to oversee and she hadn't given him anything to go on. But as Martha had pointed out, there were rules for every society and for every stratum of that society. And whatever the country, despite the constitutions and the checks and balances, the rules were always different for government. Phrases like "need-to-know" and "state secrets" effectively shut out otherwise legal inquiries. Unfortunately, in many instances-this one among them-the obstructions were necessary and legitimate.

Deputy Serrador's office was located a short walk down the corridor. The office was the same size and had largely the same decor as the room Aideen had just left, though there were a number of personal touches. On three walls were framed posters of the bullring of Madrid, the Plaza de las Ventas. On the fourth wall, behind the desk, were framed newspaper front pages describing Basque activities during the 1980's. Family photographs were displayed on shelves around the room.