She opened her eyes and looked at him, trying to smile. “I’ll be all right in a minute.”

“Maybe if you eat something it will kick in faster . . .”

Alicia shook her head.

“A glass of white wine, please . . .”

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to mix alcohol with those?”

She nodded, and Daniel went off in search of the wine. “Manuel. Give me a glass of white wine and something to nibble.”

“I have some mouthwatering ham croquettes.”

“Whatever.”

Back at the table, Daniel persisted until he’d gotten Alicia to eat one and a half croquettes with her wine and whatever those two white pills were.

Slowly she recovered her self-control, managing to smile as if nothing had happened. “I’m sorry you had to see me like this.”

“Are you feeling better?”

She nodded, although her eyes had taken on a glassy, liquid tinge. Part of her, it seemed, was miles away.

“This doesn’t change anything,” Daniel warned her.

“I understand.” Alicia spoke slowly, almost slurring her words.

“Why did you lie to us?”

“I didn’t lie to you.”

“Call it what you like. You’ve only told me one part of the truth, which comes to the same thing.”

“Even I don’t know the truth, Daniel. Not yet. However much I wanted to, I couldn’t give it to you.”

Despite himself, Daniel felt tempted to believe her. Perhaps he was even stupider than Fermín thought.

“But I’m going to find it,” said Alicia. “I’m going to get to the bottom of this matter, and I can assure you I’m not going to keep anything from you.”

“In that case, let me help you. It’s in my own interest.”

Alicia shook her head.

“I know that Mauricio Valls murdered my mother,” said Daniel. “I have every right in the world to look into his face and ask him why. More than you and Vargas.”

“That’s true.”

“Then let me help you.”

Alicia smiled tenderly. Daniel looked away.

“You can help me by keeping yourself and your family safe,” she said. “Vargas and I are not the only ones following this trail. There are others. Very dangerous people.”

“I’m not frightened.”

“That’s what worries me, Daniel. Be frightened. Very frightened. And let me do what I know how to do.” Alicia looked for his eyes and took his hand. “I swear on my life that I’m going to find Valls and make sure you and your family are safe.”

“I don’t want to be safe. I want to know the truth.”

“What you want, Daniel, is revenge.”

“That’s my business. And if you don’t tell me what’s really happening, I’m going to find out for myself. I’m serious.”

“I know. May I ask you a favor?”

Daniel shrugged.

“Give me twenty-four hours. If in twenty-four hours I haven’t resolved this matter, I swear on whatever you want me to swear that I’ll tell you everything I know.”

He looked at her suspiciously. “Twenty-four hours,” he conceded at last. “I also have a favor to ask you in exchange.”