The Ignorance of Blood. Robert Thomas Wilson

not the one who's put you in your situation.’

      ‘What fucking situation?’ she screeched. ‘You keep talking about it, but I don't know what it is.’

      ‘Your position between the gangsters holding your sister and the police investigating the Seville bombing,’ said Falcón calmly.

      ‘We're already close to finding where Margarita is being held,’ said Ferrera, which snapped Marisa's head round in her direction.

      ‘The man in the photo,’ said Falcón. ‘He'll talk. And if you talk to us, Marisa, nothing will happen until Margarita is safe.’

      Marisa looked at the printout. Still not ready. Needing more time to make up her mind, not sure who or what was going to be more dangerous for her sister. Ferrera and Falcón exchanged a look. Ferrera gave her a card with her fixed line and mobile numbers. They made for the door.

      ‘Talk to us, Marisa,’ said Ferrera. ‘I would, if I was you.’

      ‘Why? Why would you?’ said Marisa.

      ‘Because we are not in the business of killing defenceless women in their homes, planting bombs, bribing local government officials and forcing girls into prostitution,’ said Falcón.

      They went down the steps from her atelier and into the broiling heat of the courtyard. They stood for a moment in the cool of the tunnel leading to Calle Bustos Tavera.

      ‘We were that close,’ said Ferrera, holding up her thumb and forefinger pressed together.

      ‘I don't know,’ said Falcón. ‘Fear does strange things to people. It can bring them to the brink of the only possible next logical step, and then they veer off into the night because some perceived threat appears to be nearer and uglier.’

      ‘She just needs time,’ said Ferrera.

      ‘Time is the problem, because she's alone,’ said Falcón. ‘Under those circumstances, the person who's going to kill you seems more powerful than the one who's holding out a helping hand. That's why I want you involved with her. I want you to make her feel as if she's not facing this on her own.’

      ‘Let's find Margarita then,’ said Ferrera. ‘If we can get her safe, Marisa will follow.’