Francisco offered his thanks and made his way quietly toward Catalina's office.
Just outside the door, her assistant approached, carrying a tray with a cup of coffee and a slice of Gugelhupf—a common delicacy in the central German states, a sweet bread studded with raisins.
Upon seeing Francisco, the assistant opened her mouth to speak, but he gently raised a hand to stop her.
"Allow me," he whispered. "I will take it to her."
The assistant hesitated for a moment, then, recognizing him, nodded and handed over the tray.
Francisco opened the door with care and stepped inside.
The gesture, however, was not silent enough.
"Johanna," Catalina said without looking up, her attention fixed on the papers before her, "could you bring me the data for those who survived the treatment? I will need it for the report. It should be in the laboratory."
Francisco remained still.
He could not answer without revealing himself.
A brief silence followed.
