“I was just cleaning, señorita,” Rosa said.

Her voice was thick with fear.

“Cleaning,” Patricia repeated.

She held up the crumpled blue note.

“Then perhaps you can explain why Daniela left you a schedule of my husband’s private meetings inside this toy,” Patricia said.

“I do not know anything about that,” Rosa said.

“Do not lie to me,” Patricia said.

Her voice was low, but it carried a sharp edge that made Martina look up from her drawing pad in the next room.

Through the open archway, Martina watched them.

Her eyes were wide.

She set her pencil down.

“Patricia?” Martina called out, her voice small. “What is happening?”

Patricia did not look at Martina.

She kept her eyes fixed on Rosa.

“Your father and your sister are currently hiding somewhere in this house, Martina,” Patricia said loudly, ensuring her voice carried into the alcove.

“They are trying to ruin this family,” Patricia added.

“That is not true,” Rosa whispered.

“Silence,” Patricia snapped.

She took a step closer to Rosa.

“You have been helping them,” Patricia said. “You have been spying on me.”