Lucrecia was inside her office, slumped in her ergonomic chair, her torso leaning forward and her hands pressing against her temples to contain the pain.
Her whole body hurt (not just her head) as a result of the severe training session that morning with her personal trainer; she carried bruises, her neck ached from the choking techniques… it was all there. But right now, none of that mattered… because there was a more pressing sensation: she was scared.
With the murmur of the guards in the hallway, she couldn't stop thinking about what they had told her—that the American was there to investigate Alcántara Pharma's facilities and, specifically, her. How was that even possible?
There had been a time when she had believed in the vocation of the armed forces, in the authority granted by the role they were meant to fulfill in society… but that stage had faded years ago, back in Argentina. Now she knew what they were capable of. She had learned, up close, what abuse of power meant. And one of them was here, to investigate her. She let out a sigh and covered her eyes with her hands. Could things get any worse? Yes, they could. Of course they could. Because right now she should be on the tenth floor, in front of her colleagues, presenting the data before the Advisory Committee meeting… but no… she was here, held back by orders from that arrogant blond and with a splitting headache.
‹‹You have to set priorities, Lucrecia. Stop. Think››
Why would the CIA and the CNI send someone to investigate her? Reducing it to the simple conclusion that this was corporate competition was naïve. No one mobilized intelligence services over a drug, no matter how promising. There had to be something more. But if there was something more… why hadn't Sebastián warned her? He should know—it was the logical conclusion. If a guard had verified credentials and the CNI agent had been circling for days, this couldn't be an improvised move to catch her off guard in the middle of her work; there had to have been prior notice—one that no one bothered to share with her.
And even so, none of that answered the essential question… What the hell were they investigating? What? A molecular cofactor capable of selectively binding to cellular prion proteins in thalamic neurons to favor the alpha form in specific synapses and facilitate sleep?
No… it couldn't be that, they had no idea what she was creating. And yet… they were here. And it was because of her—because of her!
The door burst open, making her jump in her seat. It was the CNI agent and the American. Lucrecia hated herself for not being able to contain it, for letting them see that their entrance had shaken her. She lifted her gaze, forcing herself to recover. The nervous breakdown would have to wait. She wasn't going to show vulnerability in front of anyone. She had to face this… and then run to the tenth floor to fulfill her responsibilities.
- Can I get back to my work now? - she said, dryly.
- We're going to start over, Doctor Alonso. - the American said in Spanish, without an accent, not even bothering to look at her as he set his backpack on the desk. He pulled a folder from inside and, with a precise motion, placed it in front of her, sliding it once to indicate that she should take it.
Lucrecia glared at him, furious. The American was huge, much bigger than the CNI agent. How had she not noticed that detail earlier, when she decided to attack him with hot water? Then her attention shifted to his T-shirt—it looked like it was already drying. She curled her lips and looked at him defiantly. He showed no emotion, simply held the folder out to her, waiting for her to do as he had ordered. She wasn't going to comply. Instead, she shifted her gaze to the other man's suit… yes, it was stained. Perfect. One point for her.
- Doctor Alonso - the CNI agent intervened - Agent Kennedy operates under a formal cooperation agreement between the U.S. government and the Spanish CNI. That agreement was signed three days ago by the leadership of Alcántara Pharma and by our agency. - He paused. - He has authorized access to these facilities and to your specific work area. I recommend you cooperate.
- The documentation - the American insisted. - Read it.
Something in his tone sent an uncomfortable shiver down her spine. The panic she had been holding back flooded her, and she no longer had the strength to keep fighting. It was stupid to do so… the man was a federal agent of the United States, backed by the Spanish CNI. Something told her she was in serious trouble.
Lucrecia reached out and took the folder.
- Kennedy? - she said as she opened it. - Do you have a first name?
- Leon Kennedy.
- Are you related to the Kennedys?
He didn't bother to answer.
Lucrecia looked up and saw him press his lips in displeasure, his eyes fixed on her as if analyzing her. It was so unexpected that she felt like a lab animal about to be devoured by a hunting hound. She forced herself to face him in silence, hoping he wouldn't perceive the turmoil raging inside her—because she was afraid. She thought that maybe it was time to stop provoking him. It would cost her dearly if he grew tired of her attitude.
- I'll take that as a no… - she muttered, regaining control over herself and looking away, because she felt completely on edge and still hadn't recovered from the news. Then she quickly read the documentation, let out a breath of disbelief, and stood up.
- Look, Leon Kennedy. - She gripped the folder. - This says you're investigating possible irregularities in clinical trial protocols.
- Correct.
- And that I am a subject of interest in that investigation.
- Also correct.
- Well, what it doesn't say is that right now they're waiting for me on the tenth floor to begin a very important meeting. - she added, impatient.
The American crossed his arms. It was obvious he was starting to tire of her attitude… but she had things to do, no matter how much he intended to keep her there.
- Can I refuse to cooperate?
The CNI agent huffed at the side, and she saw him shove his hands into his pockets, impatient.
- Doctor… - he began, but the Kennedy heir cut him off.
- You can. - he said. No one is going to force you. I have no police jurisdiction on Spanish soil, and you know it. - He paused. - But if you refuse to cooperate with an active national security investigation, that gets documented. And the moment this reaches a Spanish judge—which it will—your refusal will be the first piece of information on the table. Along with the assault I just suffered, of course.
She had assaulted a federal agent. Damn it. Lucrecia sighed and felt her strength drain away. She brought both hands to her face and rubbed her eyes. The headache was splitting her skull. Yes, she had assaulted him—but because he had been armed… that wasn't within protocol, was it? As a civilian, she had the right to react if she saw him armed and he hadn't identified himself. He had also committed a fault…
- Can we negotiate?
The American raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise.
- Doctor Alonso, let me be blunt. - She saw him tighten his crossed arms. He was annoyed. - Cooperation is your best option. Not because I'm asking you to. But because you're intelligent and you know how to calculate consequences…
Between her frayed nerves, the lack of sleep, the morning training, and the recent news, Lucrecia was not functioning at one hundred percent—and she knew it. Hearing him talk about consequences only paralyzed her further, and her palms grew damp; saying that she was intelligent had been a smart move, and fortunately he had mentioned it, because it made her stop in her bravado.
‹‹Don't let panic take over››
And then, suddenly, a solution came to her. Just like that—because that was how her blessed brain worked. When cornered, the solutions appeared like magic.
- I can cooperate. - she said, suddenly energized. He looked at her with suspicion. - In fact, we can start right now.
The American narrowed his eyes for a moment, then opened them just slightly wider, revealing a shade of blue so clear and transparent that it was more unsettling than reassuring. Lucrecia had never seen eyes like that… And then something in his expression shifted, as if he too had just fit a piece into place. And when he spoke, she knew she had hit the mark.
- Your meeting?
- Exactly! - Lucrecia grabbed each agent by the arm and headed for the door, pulling them along with her. - You want to know what I do in these facilities, right?
He didn't answer.
The CNI agent opened the door and slipped out into the hallway first, waiting for them.
- Well then, right now I have to go explain it to my colleagues on the tenth floor. If you come with me, gentlemen, you'll get a full conference on my work. What do you say?
The Kennedy heir considered it for only a moment and then said:
- Feasible.
The CNI agent smiled and looked at him; the American didn't react, he simply turned toward her.
- Lead the way, Doctor. We'll follow.