She died holding the dinner plate in her hand when she answered a knock at the door. The cowards fired seventeen bullets into her body then jumped onto their moto for a clean escape. The sub-directora of a high school in Comayagua, preparing to move into a new house with her four children, had been assassinated in cold blood the night before: that was the news on everyone’s lips as we arrived in San Sebastian for my friend’s grandmother’s birthday. It was also Feria Week and a three-day holiday, featuring a bullfight, had attracted thousands. Carnival rides, fireworks and food stands stood crowded by happy, hungry clients. A nonstop party prepared to unfold.