Standing in front of the conference room doors had given me trauma. I was only ever there for work—or for a confrontation. Today, it would be the latter, and I suspected there would be more than one.
The doors creaked open, revealing Señora Alcantara seated at the rearmost chair of the long table, staring out the window, biting her nails.
I might have misinterpreted what Dimalanta meant by upset. She looked more worried than angry.
Señora Alcantara took a few moments to notice me. She had been out of sorts lately—and understandably so. When she finally did see me, she sprang up from her seat like a coiled spring.
"Heneral!" she exclaimed.
"Please, be seated, Señora." It was immediately clear there would be no fiery confrontation today. That said, I was now worried for her. "Were you escorted on your way here?"
She returned to her seat as I took the one opposite her. "Yes… by two soldiers. I left Sargento Tolentino to watch over my daughter… and the house."
