“Thanks.”

Leandro turned and wiped the foam off his face with a towel. “I was thinking of them. I know you’ve never liked teamwork. Have you had breakfast? Shall I order something for you?”

Alicia shook her head. She pulled out the pistol and pointed it at his belly. Leandro poured a bit of aftershave on his hands and massaged his face.

“I take it that’s poor Hendaya’s weapon. Good thinking. I suppose it’s pointless to ask you where we can find him. I’m only saying this because he had a wife and children.”

“Have a look in a tin of cat food.”

“That’s my girl. Shall we sit down?”

“We’re fine here.”

Leandro leaned against the dressing table. “As you wish. What’s up?”

Alicia hesitated for a moment. The easiest thing would be to shoot now. Empty the gun and try to get out of there alive. With luck she would reach the service stairs. Who knows, perhaps she would make it to the lobby before being shot down.

Leandro, as usual, read her thoughts. He gave her a look of compassion and paternal affection as he slowly shook his head. “You should never have left me. You don’t know how much your betrayal has hurt me.”

“I have never betrayed you.”

“Please, Alicia. You know perfectly well that you’ve always been my favorite. My masterpiece. You and I are made for one another. We’re the perfect team.”

“Is that why you sent that vermin to kill me?”

“Rovira?”

“Was that his name?”

“Sometimes. He was meant to be your substitute. I only sent him so he could learn from you and watch you. He admired you a lot. He’d been studying you for two years. Every dossier. Every case. He said you were the best. My mistake was to think that perhaps he could take your place. Now I’ve come to accept that nobody can replace you.”

“Not even Lomana?”

“Ricardo never really understood his role. He would volunteer uncalled-for judgments and poke his nose where he shouldn’t, when all that was required of him was brute force. He confused his loyalties. Nobody can survive in this business without being clear about where those lie.”

“And where do yours lie?”

Leandro shook his head.

“Why don’t you come back to me, Alicia? Who will take care of you like me? I know you as if you were my flesh and blood. I just have to look at you to know that right now pain is eating you raw, but you haven’t taken anything because you want to stay alert. I look into your eyes, and I see you’re afraid. Afraid of me. And that hurts. It hurts so much . . .”

“If you want a pill, or even the entire bottle, it’s all yours.”

Leandro smiled sadly, muttering under his breath. “I admit that I was wrong. And I apologize. Is that what you want? Because if you like, I’ll go down on my knees. I’m not embarrassed. Your betrayal hurt me a great deal—it blinded me. Me, the one who’s always taught you that one should never make decisions in anger, pain, or fear. You see, I’m human too, Alicia.”