“He wasn’t thrilled when they were first allowed to move freely around El Paso, was he?” Becca said, then helpfully reminded me, “It’s just I do recall you telling me he’d been arguing with Christopher Newsome when they were first let off base.”

I glanced quickly at Avril, reluctant to confirm any of this. Cal would not be pleased if his name were attached to these rumors, especially since there was potentially truth behind them. But I couldn’t figure out how to extract myself from the discussion without lying. Instead, I tried to redirect it.

“It almost doesn’t matter if they were truly Nazis or if they had regular government jobs. Because even if they just had regular jobs, they stayed in those jobs. Gail, you know as well as I do that if Truman suddenly turned into a monster like Hitler, your sweet Trevor would be the first to resign. That these men didn’t do that tells me they were supportive of what the Nazis were doing.”

“I know you’re not pleased they’re here, Lizzie, but you really think the Germans are dangerous?” Becca asked, her voice a hushed whisper.

“My brother says men like that are always dangerous. And you all know he served in Europe, so he would know.”

“I understand that these German men know an awful lot about rockets,” she said with frustration. “What I do not understand is why most of the American scientists on the team have been so quick to assume they are worthy of a comfortable life here. They’re Nazis at worst, or Nazi sympathizers at best.”

“I’m not sure it is sunshine and rainbows for all of them,” Avril said, in a tone that foreshadowed some exceedingly delicious gossip. I hated Avril’s gossip and had been the victim of it myself. She seemed to delight in causing drama. “Sofie Rhodes called me a few days ago and begged me to come around for a coffee because her little girl is having some problems at school. I asked Patty, and she said that even the German kids won’t play with Gisela Rhodes. It made sense that the American kids would be a bit wary of these new students, but the Germans ostracizing one of their own?” She gave us a triumphant look. “And I suppose you all heard about what happened at Sauerkraut Hill yesterday.” When we shook our heads, Avril leaned forward and murmured, “Just before I was due to go meet her for coffee, Sofie called to cancel. Overnight, someone painted the word Nazis right on their street.”

“Is it true, Lizzie?” Gail said. I wasn’t sure what she was referring to.

“About the street? This is the first I’ve heard—”