Román didn't look up. He remained silent. The head of security—Mauricio Ortega, fifty-two years old, former police officer, two grown daughters—stayed for a few minutes, his cap in his hands, and then left slowly, leaving the air less dense.

Isabella's phone vibrated in her pocket. She took it out without thinking. On the screen was a name that always made Isabella smile: Eva, her lifelong friend. The time matched their ritual half-hour appointment. Roman held the phone for a few seconds. He lo