National Network for Equitable Library Service

Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman can’t help but feel that the recent beating of Carmen Acosta and the disappearance of Carmen’s neighbor, Kevin Ziegler, are related. She’s just not sure how. There had been a fight—over a boy. Carmen Acosta had been suspended for six days, Deena for only three. And Carmen’s vengeful friends were still around. To most people, hat pins are vestiges of the past, used now only by elderly ladies who don’t leave home without a hat. But Deena wanted something to defend herself with. Is Deena somehow responsible for Carmen’s injuries? Estelle has many suspects to choose from, since the Acosta family holds the record for the number of domestic violence calls the police have received. Is someone in the family responsible? Or is it someone else entirely? County manager Ziegler had a good relationship with Carmen’s family, and was well respected in the community. Did Ziegler have a darker secret?