“All. I intend to gain all,” he said softly, and there was such a note of menace in his tone that she recoiled, a warning knell sounding in the back of her head. There was so much more to this than she had realized, but she could not allow him to guess her sudden fear.

“President Díaz himself has suggested that you do all in your power to find Steve, General. Would you deny him? After all, they are acquainted, as both used to fight for Juarez.”

“Yes, and you know how the friendship between Juarez and President Díaz ended, I presume. Have you thought, Doña Genia, that perhaps it is el presidente who wishes to remove men who may recall too much about his time with Juarez?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

But was it so ridiculous? Since Díaz had come to power, he had systematically and ruthlessly removed all obstacles to his complete governance. Already, men who had once been outlaws were being installed at his direction in the new police force, given the power to decimate those bandits who had plagued Mexico for far too long. Even Juan Cortina—the scourge of Lerdo’s office who had escaped prison and made a fool of el presidente—was being pursued again. Díaz did not wish trouble with the United States of course, and since Cortina had the rather embarrassing habit of conducting his cattle raids into Texas as well, Díaz must at least give the appearance of pursuit of the popular rebel leader.

Aware that Díaz was ruthless in his quest for absolute power, Ginny wondered uneasily if Luna might be right. If Steve knew too much about the new president, he could be viewed as an inconvenience best dealt with as unobtrusively as possible. His disappearance may well be beneficial, if a bit awkward to explain at first, as he was an ambassador.

Yes, she saw how it might be unpleasant for a new president to have an ambassador near at hand who reminded him of his former servitude to a man who had become his nemesis.

As if sensing her misgivings, Luna moved forward, his tone unctuous as he murmured, “Now you are distressed, Señora Alvarado. How unfortunate.”

“Spare me your false sympathy.” Ginny moved away from him, uncomfortable with his close proximity. He was always putting a hand on her somewhere, her arm or her shoulder, a hand at her waist to guide her forward—any excuse to touch her, and she disliked it.

“Stop hovering! You put me in mind of a buzzard, with the same hot gleam in your eyes as if you cannot wait to feast upon my flesh.”

“In a way,” Luna said with a smile, “that is very accurate. I would love to feast upon your beautiful flesh, taste your soft skin beneath my lips, run my tongue—”