Predict

Will Mr. García and his men arrest Papi?

A week later, Mr. García carried out his threat. When Carlos and I got home from school, the car I had seen before was parked out in front of the Garcías’ house. Once we were safely inside, I grabbed Carlos’s arm and hurried him into the kitchen, where Mami was cooking.

“Mr. García is going to search the house,” I said. “Is Papi’s journal here?”

Mami looked startled. Then she answered, “Yes, Ana, but it is well hidden. I don’t know where it is.”

“I do,” I said.

I hurried to Papi’s study and pulled up the loose floorboard underneath the desk.

The thin, worn notebook was wrapped in cloth.

“Carlos, quick,” I said. “Hand me your baseball bat.”

I was replacing the floorboard when Mr. García pounded on the door. Carlos answered and then stepped aside as Mr. García and several of the men in his squad entered the house. Mami came from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.

“Good evening, Mrs. Pérez.” Mr. García smiled, but his eyes were as cold as steel.

“Good evening,” said Mami. “If you’re looking for Alberto, I’m afraid he isn’t here.”

“Oh, we know that, Mrs. Pérez,” said Mr. García. “He was seen leaving the university just a little while ago.