“I have no sound basis other than intuition, but I am certain he not only knows what happened to Steve, but he is somehow behind it.”

Lerdo looked surprised. “But what reason would he have for harming him? They have never met, you said.”

“Not to my knowledge…no, they must not have known each other or Steve would have recognized him in Ojinaga. Oh, I don’t know why Luna would want to get rid of him, but he did. I know he did. There is no other logical reason why Steve is not here at this moment. As the Mexican ambassador, he may have incurred Luna’s enmity without meeting him.”

“And is it not possible that your husband had his own plans, Doña Genia?” Lerdo smiled gently. Deep circles under his eyes bespoke his sleepless nights, and he held himself with the air of a man resigned to his fate. “It is far more likely that the nature of his business would call him away, is it not? This is not the first time he has suddenly disappeared, you must admit. I remember him in California. He had a reputation for being a man of danger and mystery then, too.”

“There is a vast difference between mystery and sudden disappearance, Your Excellency.” Ginny kept her tone calm with an effort. “I realize that Steve is prone to vanishing from sight for a time, but this time, he was abducted. I am sure of it, as I am sure that General Luna knows more than he will divulge to me. Can you not investigate?”

With a sigh, Lerdo nodded. “I will do what I can.”

It would have to suffice for the moment, but Ginny held little hope that Lerdo, with his world collapsing around him, would expend much energy in finding one man.

A week passed before she was once more summoned to the palace and a meeting with el presidente. He looked even more tired, deep lines engraved into his face by sleepless nights and strain.

“It is time, Señora Alvarado. My tenure is done, and the battle lost. You must travel swiftly now, and inquire from General Díaz if I am to be granted safe passage from Mexico. General Luna will accompany you.”

“General Luna? Your Excellency, I must protest. I do not trust the man. He is not to be trusted!”

“Try to put aside your personal feelings about Luna,” Lerdo said quietly. “As an emissary of Spain, he has access to Díaz where many do not.”

“Then perhaps he should make the arrangements for your escort to New York,” she said tartly, and saw the reproach spring into Lerdo’s eyes.

“Luna has access, not trust, Señora.”