Isabella discovers a plot

She drops the paper, her hand shaking. Her chest feels tight, her stomach churning. Questions about his **** begin to form in her mind, unanswered questions and unresolved fears.

Who could have killed him? The guerillas were getting bolder, but to ambush a heavily armed Presidential convoy and leave no survivors? Intelligence had not identified any group with the capabilities to carry out such an operation.

Isabella's eyes scan the papers, frantically looking for a name, an idea, a hint of what could have happened. Her heart dropped as she recognised the stamp at the bottom of the list. It was an Eagle, perched atop an all seeing eye, with the words Estabilidad Nacional wrapping around. The Department of National Stability, more commonly known as Eduardo Valdés' secret police. Her father had tasked them to carry out the purge, and sent them the names of Serrano and Romero.

"My God," she whispered. "My God."

Her thoughts turned to the general, his icy gaze and dominating demeanor. She thought of Romero, the calculating old snake and his promise. Was her father right, were they plotting against him? Against her? Were they involved in his ****?

A knock came from the door, and Isabella jumped. She scrambled to gather the papers and stuffed them back into the drawer.

"Come in," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.