Their commands disappeared beneath the noise.
No one listened.
The academy principal had retreated completely into one corner of the room with the board members and several teachers. They stood shoulder to shoulder against the wall, watching in horror as one of the city's wealthiest families reduced the conference room to ruins.
One of the detectives looked helplessly toward Santiago.
"Mr. Torres Mendoza!"
His voice rose above the chaos.
"Call them off!"
Several officers turned toward him as well.
They all knew the same thing.
None of the Torres Mendoza men would continue if Santiago ordered them to stop.
Yet Santiago remained seated.
His suit was still immaculate despite the destruction surrounding him.
He calmly picked up the bottle of mineral water that had rolled to the edge of the table before unscrewing the cap and taking another slow sip. His dark eyes never left the men fighting across the room, but there was neither excitement nor panic in his expression.
