The Impossible Clue (3 page)

T
he room erupted into a storm of shouted questions, each journalist trying to be heard above the crowd. Pencils scratched, keyboards clicked.

‘What do you mean, Dr Learner's disappeared?'

‘Are you working with the police?'

‘Do you suspect foul play?'

‘Was there an accident in the lab? Is this some sort of cover-up?'

Dad scribbled shorthand in his notebook so fast his pencil was a blur. He'd already filled three pages when he stood up and asked his first question.

‘Is it true that Dr Learner was experimenting with invisibility?' he asked, projecting his voice above the crowd.

As soon as my dad said the word ‘invisibility', the volume in the room tripled. My stomach flipped. I was
sure I hadn't said anything about what kind of research Dr Learner and Sammy were working on. Why would I? I hadn't believed a word of it. But that didn't stop me from feeling guilty. I turned toward Sammy, but he wasn't paying any attention. He was just staring off into the distance, worry lines growing across his face.

Mr Delgado's eyes darted to the group of chairs at the back of the audience. I turned in my seat to get a better look. In the last row, a group of men and women in plain grey suits sat like statues. They definitely weren't reporters. I looked closer. The two sitting closest to me – a woman with red hair pulled back in a neat braid and a middle-aged man with a crew cut – had small metal pins fastened to their lapels. But I was too far away to see what they were.

For a moment, it looked like Mr Delgado was going to deny everything, but he didn't.

‘Yes,' he said slowly. Then, choosing each word as carefully as you choose a surgeon, he continued, ‘I can confirm that Dr Learner's research focused on invisibility.'

The sudden silence in the room made my ears ring.

‘Did Dr Learner disappear because he completed his research? Or did his research cause him to disappear?' Dad asked, his pencil poised to write down whatever Mr Delgado said. I could feel the whole room leaning forward, waiting for the answer.

Mr Delgado smoothed his hand over his hair again. A
ghost of a smile lifted the corners of his mouth and then vanished just as quickly. I frowned. I couldn't help feeling like Mr Delgado was making this a lot more dramatic than it needed to be.

‘I'm afraid at the moment it's impossible for me to answer that question. You see, when Dr Learner disappeared all of his research disappeared with him.'

Sammy gasped and grabbed hold of my hand. His fingers were damp with sweat. I slid my palm free and wiped it on my leg. I couldn't tell if he was just caught up in his dad's performance, or if he was really worried. Either way, I wasn't going to hold his hand.

‘And this was no ordinary disappearance.' Mr Delgado pressed a button on the top of his desk and the large painting behind him slowly rose into the ceiling, revealing the largest TV screen I'd ever seen. Then he stepped to one side and nodded to his assistant to dim the lights.

A picture of a door and a small slice of hallway flickered on to the screen. The muted black-and-white picture was clearly from a security camera. The date and time were displayed in the bottom right corner: 4 p.m. yesterday afternoon. Nothing happened for a moment, then a man in a dull-grey lab coat walked down the hall. He hunched over, clutching a pile of papers tightly to his chest and looking over his shoulder as if someone was close behind him. It was hard to see the details of his face, but the way his hands shook as he tried to unlock the door made me
pretty sure he didn't want to see whoever it was.

I could feel Sammy holding his breath, waiting to see who came next. But no one did.

Mr Delgado stepped forward and pressed another button on his desk, fast-forwarding the video. Two lines of static striped across the screen, but the image didn't change at all.

‘Yesterday at 4 p.m., Dr Adrian Learner went into his office. He never came back out. We have security camera footage of Dr Learner entering his office, but no footage of him leaving. His office only has one door, and there are no windows.'

The static lines stopped. I checked the timestamp at the bottom of the screen: 7 a.m.

‘When his lab assistant went to find him this morning, Dr Learner was gone.'

Mr Delgado let the tape play for a few more minutes and we all watched as a large man stepped into the frame and knocked on Dr Learner's door. He knocked again, and then after a few minutes, walked back up the hallway. Mr Delgado motioned for the lights, stepped back behind his desk and pressed a button. The painting slid back down from the ceiling covering the frozen image of Dr Learner's office door.

As soon as the lights came up, the questions started again. Even louder than before. Mr Delgado did his best to answer the questions he could hear above the rest, but it
was like trying to outrun a train. It didn't take long before Mr Delgado started to run out of steam.

‘Are you sure no one tampered with the tape?'

Mr Delgado was sure.

‘Is this some sort of publicity stunt?'

Sadly, no, this was very real and very serious.

‘Do you think Dr Learner has taken his research to one of your competitors?'

Mr Delgado's face flushed red. ‘Absolutely not! Dr Learner is not only a valued member of Delgado Industries, he is also a close personal friend. I went to school with Adrian, and I know he would never leave of his own free will. If he or his research is found with another laboratory, I am positive they will have been taken by force.' Mr Delgado's voice broke slightly. He took a moment to compose himself before continuing. ‘That is why I am asking for your help. Delgado Industries is offering a ten-thousand dollar reward for any information that leads to Dr Learner's safe return.'

As if responding to some pre-planned cue, Mr Delgado's assistant stepped forward and took the floor.

‘That will be all for today,' he said. His voice was cool and emotionless. ‘Mr Delgado has many urgent matters to attend to and will not be answering any further questions. There are press packs with background information and further details at the back of the room. Thank you for your time.'

All the reporters in the room started talking at once, protesting loudly that they still had questions. My dad perched on the edge of his seat, waving his hand in the air. I could almost see him writing the headline MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF TOP SCIENTIST. It was a sensational story, like something from a movie.

I was curious too, and not just about the scientist. Ever since Mr Delgado announced Dr Learner and his research had gone missing, Sammy had been fidgeting in his chair like it was made of ants. He'd been so excited for me to come to this press conference and see the ‘invisibility breakthrough' he'd helped discover. I could understand him being disappointed or worried. But he wasn't acting like that. He was acting guilty and I couldn't figure out why.

‘Mr Delgado, Mr Delgado,' the reporters clamoured, but Mr Delgado didn't say another word. He let his assistant lead him through the private door behind the desk and disappeared.

‘Well, that was interesting,' I said, standing up. All around me the other reporters were shuffling to the back of the room, collecting their press packs and making for the door, ears pressed to their phones as they called in the story. It was a race now to see which paper could get the story posted first. The four suited statues were nowhere to be seen. I wondered who they were and what they were doing at the press conference, but I didn't say anything. I didn't want to stick around any longer than I had to. ‘Come
on, Dad. We should head home.'

‘What a story!' Dad wasn't listening to me. ‘A scientist working on invisibility technology goes missing. This has “front page” written all over it.' He looked up at the ceiling, waiting for inspiration to strike. ‘TOP INVISIBILITY SCIENTIST DISAPPEARS . . . OR DOES HE?' He frowned. ‘Oh, oh, I've got it! NOW YOU SEE HIM, NOW YOU DON'T: LEADING INVISIBILITY EXPERT DISAPPEARS.' He quickly scribbled the two headlines in his Moleskine notebook, dotting the last line with enough force to make a sound. ‘I'm going to go see if I can get Mr Delgado to answer a few more questions, off the record.'

I sighed. Dad had the story bug. It looked like I'd be cooking dinner tonight. When Dad's on the scent of a good story, he doesn't even know I exist. He doesn't know anyone exists. It's just him and the words, and a bottle of water he chugs from like he's running a marathon. When my mom left, he was in the middle of an article about police corruption. He didn't even notice she'd gone until two days later when he ran out of clean socks.

While Dad worked his way to the front of the room I moved to the back and poured myself another cup of coffee. Most of my first one had ended up on me, not in me, and on a day like this, one coffee just wasn't enough. Sammy tagged along behind me, but he didn't say a word. It was the longest I'd ever seen him be quiet, which was typical. People always clam up when you want answers.

‘So, Sammy, I know you wanted it to be a surprise, but what exactly was this breakthrough you and Dr Learner made?' I asked.

It took Sammy a moment to realize I'd asked him a question. He started slightly. ‘I'm not supposed to say, not until Dad makes an official announcement.' He scrunched up his face like keeping the secret physically hurt. ‘But it's really amazing. Dr Learner is super smart.'

I watched Dad trying to get past Mr Delgado's assistant. My dad was usually pretty good at getting what he wanted, but the assistant was better. Dad's charm didn't even make a dent. I wondered what Mr Delgado's lab worked on besides invisibility. The real science, not the sensational stuff designed to get headlines. Maybe they developed androids. If someone told me Dad was talking to the prototype, I'd almost believe them.

‘Do you know Dr Learner well?' I asked.

‘Oh, yeah, we hang out all the time. And he helps me with my science fair projects. He's great!' Sammy's voice trailed off. ‘I hope he's OK.'

Most people would just say ‘I'm sure he's fine,' but I had no idea what had happened to Dr Learner, and I don't like lying to people. So I said nothing and took a sip of coffee. Sammy stared up at me. I didn't like the hopeful sheen in his eye.

‘Maybe you could find him, Alice? You're great at solving mysteries.'

I nearly choked. Sammy's eyes went from hopeful glow to full-on blaze. I looked around, hoping my dad was well out of earshot, but it was too late. He was already right behind me, listening to the words fall out of Sammy's mouth. ‘I can help you. We'll be a team. It'll be great!'

‘Sammy, I don't think . . .' I started, but Dad cut me off.

‘I don't know, Alice, maybe you should give it a try. You
are
very good at figuring things out.' He grinned at me. There was no escape. ‘But,' Dad said to Sammy, ‘we should really talk with your father first.'

‘Good idea.' Sammy nodded vigorously. ‘Let's go.'

I was going to put my foot down. I did not want to spend my summer playing detective with Sammy Delgado.

‘Dad . . .' I started.

‘Oh, come on, Alice,' he said. ‘It won't hurt to talk to the guy.' Dad wiggled his eyebrows at me, and I knew I'd lost.

I was being managed and I didn't like it. But they were right. There was no real reason to say no, just a gut feeling that I'd regret it.

‘Fine,' I said. ‘I'll talk to Mr Delgado. It's not like he's going to want me to help anyway.'

‘
F
ollow me,' Sammy said, and led us out of the study and back into the entrance hall.

‘Uh, Sammy, didn't your father go the other way?' Dad asked.

‘Oh, there's another door out of that room. Dad uses it to avoid the reporters. This way.'

‘Why doesn't your dad just hold press conferences at his lab?' I asked as we followed him through a small doorway.

The hall on the other side was dim compared to the white marble entrance hall, but it was still clearly designed to impress. Large gold-framed paintings lined the walls, and the carpet was so thick it muffled our footsteps into near-silence.

Sammy looked at me like I'd asked him the square root of -1.

‘Dad takes security very seriously. The lab is working on all sorts of top secret projects. There's no way Dad would let in a bunch of reporters. One of them might be a spy or something.' His mouth froze in the shape of an ‘O' and he looked quickly at my dad. ‘Not that I think you're a spy, Mr Jones. I mean . . . what I meant was . . .'

Dad cut him off before he could start hyperventilating. ‘Don't worry about it, Sammy. I know what you meant. But I bet you know how to get around all the security systems at the lab, don't you? After all, you were Dr Learner's assistant.'

I elbowed Dad in the ribs. So much for being discreet. But Sammy didn't seem to notice, he just hurried down the hallway a bit more quickly.

We passed three doors before Sammy stopped and opened a fourth, leading us into a large open living room.

Four identical couches were arranged in the middle of the room, back to back and perpendicular to a large marble fireplace. Over the fireplace was a giant painting of Mr Delgado himself, draped in black academic robes with a flash of gold silk lining. The faint smell of oil paint hung in the air. On either side of the fireplace, the walls were filled with smaller gold-framed photographs. I thought they'd be family portraits, but they weren't. They were all pictures of Mr Delgado shaking hands with the cream of Philadelphia society.

Mr Delgado stood in one of the large windows. For a
moment, I thought he was looking at something outside. Then I realized he was checking his reflection in the glass. He frowned, brushed his eyebrows back into place and turned from side to side, sucking in his stomach.

‘Dad,' Sammy said. Mr Delgado jumped guiltily, turning to see who was there. Dad had already stepped away from me and Sammy and was moving along the wall, checking out each picture one at a time. I don't think he wanted Mr Delgado to know he was there, not until he got a feel for him.

‘Sammy.' Mr Delgado swallowed hard. The circumference of his collar was smaller than the circumference of his neck, and the extra roll of skin quivered. ‘I told you not to interrupt me while I'm working.'

‘But Dad, it's important.'

‘Sammy, I'm very busy right now. I don't have time for your nonsense.' Mr Delgado tugged at his cuffs and straightened his cufflinks. His shirt was so perfectly white, I wondered if he'd bought it just for the press conference. He glanced at me. ‘Why don't you and your little friend go play in your room?'

I gritted my teeth. I'd figured out what kind of dad kidnaps friends for his son – a bad one.

‘But Dad,' Sammy said, pointing at me like I was something on a shelf, ‘this is Alice. She's really good at solving mysteries. She can help find Dr Learner.'

Mr Delgado snorted. ‘I hardly think this is a place for a
girl to get involved, Sammy. Now do me a favour and stop pestering me.'

Sammy glanced at me and then turned away, but not before I'd seen his red face and wet eyes. Mr Delgado saw them too. He scowled at Sammy and stepped across the space between them. His shoes were so highly polished they flashed as they caught the light. I hoped he'd put anti-slip pads on the soles, or he was asking for a fall.

‘Are you crying?' He leant over Sammy until their faces were just centimetres apart. I couldn't tell if he wanted me to hear what he said or not. But if he didn't, he needed to talk a lot softer.

Sammy shook his head. I turned my back and stared at the windows. It was too painful to watch.

‘What have I told you about crying? It makes you look weak. Do you think I got to where I am today by looking weak?'

Sammy didn't answer, but I imagined him shaking his head again, even more miserably.

‘Do you think you get to live in this nice house and have nice things because I cried when things were tough?'

‘No, sir,' Sammy sniffed.

‘No. I didn't. Now go to your room until you can control yourself.'

Sammy wiped his nose with the back of his arm. He took one last look at me and then fled. He ran so hard I could actually hear his footsteps on that thick carpet in the hall.

Mr Delgado looked at me. ‘I'm sorry you had to see that. I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell the other children at school about this.' I wasn't sure if he wanted me to keep quiet about him being a jerk or about Sammy crying. Probably about Sammy crying. People like Mr Delgado never even realize they're being jerks. People like Mr Delgado think they're great no matter what evidence you have that proves otherwise. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, like he was going to pay me to keep my mouth shut.

‘That's OK,' I said, shaking my head as he held out a twenty. I didn't like Mr Delgado, and I didn't want his money. I just wanted to get out of there.

Mr Delgado looked at me, then at the twenty, confused. I guess most people took the money. After a moment he put it back in his wallet. If I'd had my way, that would have been the end of it. Mr Delgado didn't want any help, fine by me. Let him find his precious scientist on his own and let me out of there. The case might have been interesting, and I felt a twinge of guilt about Sammy, but it wasn't up to me to fix his family problems.

My dad had other ideas. He'd finished looking at all of the pictures of Mr Delgado and his famous friends, and now made his way to the middle of the room.

‘Are you sure you don't want her help, Mr Delgado?' he asked. ‘Alice is very clever. She's helped me on lots of cases.'

Mr Delgado turned around quickly to see who else was in the room. He didn't look happy. I wondered if he'd try to pay my dad to keep quiet too. And if he'd offer him more than twenty bucks.

‘And you would be . . .?' he asked.

‘Arthur Jones,
Philadelphia Daily News
. I'm Alice's father.' Dad pointed at one of the photos. ‘Is this you and the mayor?'

Mr Delgado lost his frown in a hurry as soon as he heard the word ‘news'. He shook my dad's hand and smiled like he was accepting an award. I guess he didn't want Dad writing any stories about the lousy way he spoke to his kid. ‘Yes, that's the mayor. I hosted a little dinner for some local businesses and politicians this autumn. It was quite a success, if I do say so myself. Although we didn't get the press coverage we deserved.' He smiled ruefully. ‘But I guess that's what happens when you have to keep the most exciting details of your work a secret.'

‘It sounds like you make some very challenging decisions for the good of your company. Great men are seldom recognized in their time,' Dad said. ‘I hope you'll forgive me for barging in on you like this. Sammy wanted to introduce you to Alice, and I'm afraid I couldn't resist tagging along. I so wanted to meet you.'

Mr Delgado practically glowed. ‘No need to apologize. I completely understand. I didn't get named Philadelphia Businessman of the Year playing by the rules. We make
our own luck in this life, isn't that right?'

‘How very true,' Dad agreed.

Mr Delgado turned slowly to look at me again, and this time he smiled. I gritted my teeth harder. It was like being stared at by a snake.

‘Of course! How foolish of me. You aren't just any Alice. You're Alice
Jones
,' he said, like somehow that made all the difference in the world. ‘Sammy certainly has told me a lot about you.'

‘I'll bet,' I said drily, wishing I'd never taken Sammy's squirrel case.

‘Well, well, well, isn't this interesting.' He sat back down on one of the couches and patted the seat for me to sit beside him. I didn't budge. I didn't like where this was going one bit. I could almost read the headlines Mr Delgado was making up in his head.

‘Sammy and your father seem to think you just might be able to help me find my friend.' He leant forward and rested his elbows on his knees like he was talking to a three-year-old. ‘So what do you say? Will you help me? Will you take the case?'

‘You do realize I'm twelve?'

Mr Delgado laughed like a barking seal. ‘Ah, good, very good,' he said, wiping the damp corners of his eyes. ‘Yes, I'm well aware of your age. Don't worry, there are other people searching for Dr Learner and his research as well. I've hired the best private investigator in Pennsylvania to
search for Dr Learner.' He paused, his face darkening. ‘And I'm sure that other laboratories who want to get their hands on the invisibility su—' He caught himself just in time. ‘Excuse me, Dr Learner's research. They will be looking for him too. Alice, you might be the key to bringing my friend home safely. You have a certain . . . visibility that might be useful.'

‘So you don't actually want me to find Dr Learner, you just want me to pretend to be looking for him to keep the press interested.' The bottom of my feet were starting to itch from standing too long in wet socks. I shifted from one foot to the other and tried not to look too annoyed.

‘She is bright, isn't she?' Mr Delgado spoke to my dad over my shoulder like I wasn't even in the room. Then he turned back to me. ‘Of course I wouldn't expect a young girl like you to actually be able to
find
Dr Learner, but by helping to look for him you would keep the story in the papers. And if a member of the public reads the story and sends us a tip, well, that would almost be like you solving the mystery all by yourself.'

He smiled at me. A big, wide, patronizing smile.

‘So what do you say, will you help me? In fact, I'll even give you a head start.' He opened a small, thin drawer in the table beside the couch and pulled out a Manila folder. He waved it at me like it was some sort of treat. ‘These are the full details of the case. I was saving this for the private investigator I've hired, but I can make him another copy.
I'm sure you'll be discreet. And, of course, I'll add your name to the authorized visitor list at Delgado Industries so you can check out the scene of the crime.'

I looked Mr Delgado up and down, from his fancy haircut to his handmade shoes. He was the kind of man who was used to getting his own way. Part of me wanted to turn him down flat, just to see the look on his face. But I didn't. I had a better idea.

‘Fine,' I said. ‘I'll help you look for Dr Learner.'

Dad was across the room in two steps, and had the top secret folder in his hands before I got the words out of my mouth. He grinned.

‘Of course she'll do it. I will need to accompany her, though. She is only a minor, after all.'

I could see dreams of insider access coming off my father in concentric rings. He shuffled me out of the room before Mr Delgado had a chance to change his mind. Or maybe he was more worried about me. But I wasn't going to back out now.

I'd look for his missing scientist, and I'd find him too. No one uses me as a publicity stunt.