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early forties, a minority, but a strong willed minority. Their strength comes through Uncle Rafael. Steinerman and his people helped him reach the palace and first to encourage revolt and advised him militarily. They placed their men in leadership – government and military positions. Steinerman is beginning to run this country with an iron hand. I believe Uncle Rafael is ignorant of that. They keep him busy on international matters and foreign policy that he left domestic matters to Steinerman.”
    “Frightening!”
    “The Germans have found a way to take over the country. They cannot afford to have anything happen to Uncle Rafael because they know a German is ineligible to be president of Argentina unless he’s a Roman Catholic. They don’t need the position as long as someone’s there whom they can manipulate. Through endless harassment and social persecution, several of our best people have resigned and replaced by Germans.”
    “What will happen if something happened to Uncle Rafael?”
    “If he died in office the German thrust dies. He has yet to name a vice-president. Many capable men could take over including Senator Federico Luis Quintero, a respected member in Congress. He remains powerful and popular, although suppressed. He’s good and honest.”
    “Tomayo,” said Pilar with concern and consternation. “You know what’s going on. Doesn’t everyone else?”
    “No. I know because I associate with a group of insiders seeking ways to stop the German progress without causing public panic.”
    “How can you do that?”
    “Priority is to talk to Uncle Rafael to make him realize what’s happening, what the Germans are doing.”
    “No wonder they protect and surround him. They don’t want anyone talking to him,” concluded Pilar.
    “When only close by and could listen to the conversation.”
    “What will happen if you can’t stop their progress?”
    Tomayo hesitated.
    “Then we’ll have to resort to force to overthrow Uncle Rafael.”
    He stunned Pilar. “You mean another civil war?”
    “Yes.”
    Revulsion thundered through Pilar. Was Carlos’s death in vain, her sacrifice for nothing, her children’s suffering a waste?
    The residue of internal outrage and seething violence churning her docile blood eased. She needed reassurance that would never happen. Praying for assurance, she looked deep into Tomayo’s eyes.
    “Will it ever get that bad? I mean will the Germans give you enough cause to disrupt the country?”
    “I’ll give you more background. Good people are leaving government and dozens are vanishing. We know they’re in jail, political prisoners, enemies of the State. Do you remember Carlos’s friend, Domingo Nunez?”
    “Yes.”
    “He was the leading human rights advocate in the administration. He supposedly resigned and then vanished. A contact at the Ministry of the Interior told us Domingo was held, and I quote – ‘at the disposition of the executive power’ – without them specifying the reason. We sent petitions to the President. We received no reply; neither did newspapers and religious and cultural organizations who inquired. Thus far, the official edict from the Ministry is ignorance. Dozens are missing as if a secret Gestapo-like organization existed. We know it exists.
    “Also last month when Uncle Rafael traveled to the Patagonia provinces, about ninety women, many relatives of the missing demonstrated in front of the Congress building to protest the disappearances. They demanded the government release information on them. The police soon scattered them, a few arrested, and then released the next day, forced by headlines. It’s hard to believe Uncle Rafael never inquired about that when he returned. On the other hand maybe he knows.”
    Pilar stared into the champagne, her thoughts suspended by the ugly specter of another war, a disastrous future. An instrumental CD of tangos and boleros played in the background.
    A waiter arrived. Tomayo ordered the