The memories came flooding back—Victor Boyd pushing Pauline out the school doors during a school blackout. Victor Boyd spouting off that the real heroes put themselves on the front lines. Those that hid at home, he’d said, ‘playing with switches and wires’, deserved to be marched in front of a firing line.
At the time, Rosa had felt bad for Victor—he had been kind to her and had lost his dad. But now, she knew he hadn’t lost his dad in the war. His dad had been in prison while Pauline Van Peridon’s father was making headlines with his work helping the war effort. It was clear why Victor had picked on Pauline so extensively, and so cruelly, that to this day, she could barely bring herself to speak.
Pauline Van Peridon had motive. She had means. She had opportunity.
21
After a stop at the police station, and a phone call later, Rosa learned from Miguel that the Aeronautical Research Center was a family affair with Pauline working as manager of Testing and Research and her two brothers, Thomas and Henry, heading engineering.
The research center rested in the hills at the north end of Santa Bonita. Rosa, with Diego squirming in the satchel beside her, sat in the back seat of the cruiser, Miguel sat in the passenger seat, and Detective Sanchez drove the vehicle along the winding incline. If a person didn’t already know the research center was there, it was entirely possible to be ignorant of its existence.
“The center was started by Robert Van Peridon,” Miguel said, casting a glance over his shoulder at Rosa. “Unfortunately, he was killed in a hit and run during a freak storm. The rain washed away any evidence of the vehicle responsible, and the perpetrator was never apprehended. Since the war was nearly over, the press spun the story as a last-ditch effort by the enemy to take out some of America’s most essential advancement forerunners.”
“How awful,” Rosa said. “The Van Peridon children are orphans.”
Detective Sanchez, with a dry cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, grunted. “They inherited their old man’s company and his money.”
“Are you suggesting one of them ran their own father down?” Rosa asked.
“The driver was never caught, so who’s to say?”
They reached an imposing security gate with a warning sign written in both English and Spanish meant to frighten off trespassers. A guard emerged from a hut to greet them. Detective Sanchez and Miguel flashed their badges.
“We’d like to have a few words with a Miss Pauline Van Peridon,” Miguel announced.
The guard didn’t say a word, only nodded and returned to the security hut. Through the window, Rosa could see the man pick up the receiver of a telephone and dial. Several drawn-out moments later, he emerged to say, “I’m afraid Miss Van Peridon isn’t available today.”
“Not available, or not here?” Miguel asked. “This is official police business, and I must insist that she presents herself if she is on the premises.”
The guard glanced to his upper right, a possible sign that he was about to lie. Reading facial expressions and body language was a skill Rosa had learned from her mother. The guard glanced back at Miguel and said, “She’s not here today.”
Miguel nodded. “And do you know where we can find her?”
The guard shook his head.
Rosa muttered from the backseat, “Whoever’s in charge.”
“We’d like to go in and have a chat with whoever is in charge on the premises today,” Miguel said as he flashed his badge again.
The guard made another call, and moments later announced, “Mr. Tom Van Peridon will meet you there.” He rolled the gate open and directed them down the rest of the driveway to the parking lot.
Rosa adjusted the bobby pin that held her bangs out of her eyes and peered at the man who stood waiting for them. She knew what Henry looked like, and this man wasn’t him. She surmised that it must be the eldest brother, Thomas Van Peridon. Like Nancy had claimed, this brother was taller and built like a soldier. He wore a blue shirt and yellow tie, gray slacks, and a straw fedora.
The building behind Tom Van Peridon looked more like the spaceships Rosa had seen in comic books when she was young than any building she’d been to in real life. The roof was sleek, slanted metal and angled low to the ground on all sides. Rosa suspected much of the center operated underground, hidden away.
“Why don’t you two see what you can get out of Mr. Van Peridon,” Rosa said. “Perhaps you can convince him to take you inside. Insist on meeting Henry Van Peridon. Tell them I’m an arrest—you were just on your way back to the station with me. Insinuate that I’m cuffed and harmless. Leave me in the car.”
Without looking back, Miguel said, “What are you thinking?”
“It’ll give me a chance to look around. And if I’m caught, I’ll just play the weak female card and say I’m lost. Maybe I can find Pauline.”
Miguel worked his lips. “I don’t know.”
“Could be dangerous,” Detective Sanchez added as he parked and killed the engine. Tom Van Peridon would be able to see into the car, but not well.
“I’m only looking for Pauline,” Rosa said. “I think I can handle her.” She was about to remind the men that she, too, had police training and could take care of herself, but then Miguel opened the glove compartment, pulled out a pair of metal handcuffs, and slid them over the back of his seat.
“Be careful, Rosa,” he said. “I mean it.”
Then, without another word, Miguel and Sanchez got out of the car and approached Pauline’s brother.
Rosa debated what to do next. She glanced at the handcuffs. Where was the key?
Miguel had forgotten to give her the key. She decided to lock up her left arm and gently placed
