The woman backed down.
But he didn't keep his phone.
Don Manuel folded the newspaper carefully.
On the front page was a news story about a new national investigation into abuses of authority.
The irony was so great that it almost hurt.
On top of the streetlight, a security camera turned slightly.
Facial recognition activated.
Two seconds later, on a screen many miles from there, a red alert appeared:
“Manuel Rivas. Director General of the National Research Agency. Alpha priority.”
In the capital, Deputy Director Elena Vera received the notice on her phone.
He read it once.
Then another.
Then he took the hotline.
“Federal team prepared. Director Rivas located out of service in Parque de la Ribera. Do not intervene yet. Watch closely.
Three black vans left the central building without sirens.
No lights.
No noise.
Don Manuel felt his cell phone vibrating inside the vest.
He didn't look at him.
