"I think I know why that evil spirit latched onto the victim now," Robin's voice came through the earpiece. "Her name is Lee A. Merlin. She was quite famous in Las Vegas in the fifties."
"We know that. What could she have to do with the owner of this diary?" Roland asked. "The diary's owner got nuked back in the forties."
"—Just look at this photo." Robin sent an old photograph from the 1950s to Nightwing's phone.
"That outfit is... pretty distinctive," Roland said, looking at the dress that resembled a clump of white cauliflower. "
Is this a photo of her winning an award?"
"Yes. She won the Miss Atomic Bomb pageant—"
"Sorry, Miss what?" Roland was a little bewildered.
"Oh, Miss Atomic Bomb. Starting in 1951, the United States government conducted nearly a thousand nuclear tests in Nevada, turning Las Vegas into a tourist destination. Nuclear explosions became a cultural phenomenon there, and an excuse to throw parties." Nightwing nodded. "Back then, hotels facing the nuclear test site were the most exciting places to stay. People could watch mushroom clouds rise from their balconies or beside the pool. Of course, the rooms certainly weren't cheap."
"Rooms with a nuclear view?"
"Right," Robin explained. "Inspired by that cultural phenomenon, and with all kinds of beauty pageants taking off in the fifties, people could find any excuse to hold one. The Las Vegas government decided to combine its two local specialties, atomic bombs and showgirls, into a beauty pageant. Our victim was the winner."
"Holy crap—" Roland looked at the old woman lying in the bed. "I think I know how those husbands of hers died."
"No wonder they all had leukemia. I thought this old Mrs. Merlin had some special tricks up her sleeve," Jason said thoughtfully. "But how