“Now that you've seen it, how long do you think it would take to modify this facility to your standards?”

She shrugged. “A week.”

“Three days,” Brynhild said flatly.

“Why the time limit?”

“The Gogstad board of directors is due to meet here. I am bringing people in from all parts of the world. I want to give them a demonstration of your process. Once they have seen it work they will go home and we can implement the greater plan.”

Francesca thought about it a moment and said, “I can have it working for you within twenty-four hours.”

“That's quite a difference from a week.”

“I work faster with incentive. There is a price.”

“You're in no position to bargain.”

“I realize that. But I want you to let your prisoner go. She was drugged. She has no idea where she is or how she got here. She could never identify or cause you any trouble. You keep her prisoner to make sure I make this plant work. Once the process is working you have no need of her.”

“Agreed,” Brynhild said. “I will let her go as soon as you show me the first ounce of pure water.”

“What guarantees can you give me that you will stand by your word?”

“None. But you have no alternative.”

Francesca nodded. “I will need certain equipment and unquestioning assistance.”

“Anything you want,” Brynhild said. She waved over several technicians. “Dr. Cabral is to have whatever she requests, do you understand?” She barked an order, and another technician came over carrying a battered aluminum suitcase. Brynhild took it from the man and handed it to Francesca. “I believe this belongs to you. We found it at your friends' house. I must leave you now. Call when you are about to run a test.”

As Francesca ran her hand lovingly over the suitcase that contained the original working model for her process, Brynhild strode off toward the elevator. Within minutes she was back in her turret room. She had summoned the Kradzik brothers on a portable phone, and they were waiting for her when she returned.

“After all these years of waiting and disappointments, the Cabral process will soon be ours,” she announced with triumph.

“How long?” one of the twins asked.

“It should be up and running within twenty-four hours.”

“No,” said the other twin, the light glittering on his metal teeth. “How long before we can have the women to play with?”

She should have known. The brothers were programmed like malevolent computers to carry out torture and murder. Brynhild had no intention of letting Francesca live after she had delivered the process. Part of her treachery stemmed from her envy of Francesca's scientific prowess and beauty. Part was pure vindictiveness. The Brazilian woman had cost her in time and money. She had nothing in particular against Gamay. Brynhild simply didn't like loose ends.

Her smile brought the already low temperature in the room down another ten degrees.

“Soon,” she said.