“Principal got everyone out. Some students were helping her set up for tomorrow's activities. They're okay, but it was close. Too close.”
Ravenwood was our proof of concept. The program was supposed to show Silverpoint what we could do for their district. Low-income neighborhood, underfunded schools, kids who needed every dollar redirected from utility bills to programs. Now those same kids almost got hurt because of equipment with our name on it.
“How bad is the damage?”
“Contained to one wing. Could have been worse. Maddox is already on his way. He thinks someone tampered with the installation.”
“I'm forty minutes out.” Already calculating the fastest route. “Have Dylan coordinate with the PR firm. Draft of the communication plan by the time I arrive. No excuses.”
“On it. And Kai? News vans are already circling.”
The call ends. Emma's relaxed posture has vanished, replaced by rigid focus.
“A fire,” she says quietly. “At a school?”
“One of our installations. No one was hurt.”
“Your friend mentioned tampering.”
“That's the working theory. Maddox is our security expert. He doesn't miss details.” I glance at her. “I have to get there. I'm sorry to ruin the evening.”
“Don't apologize. This is an emergency.” Her voice is steady. “Just drop me at the nearest subway station so you can get there faster.”
I consider it. The logical move would be to get her home and keep her away from the fallout. But the thought of leaving her on a dark platform feels wrong.
“No.” The word comes out before I think it through. “Dropping you home would take too long, and I'm not leaving you at a subway station.” I make a hard left toward the highway. “Come with me. If you don't mind.”
She reaches down, pulls her heels back on, wincing as the straps bite into raw skin. “I'm coming with you.”
Relief floods through me. I press the accelerator. “Thank you. This is going to be a long night.”
“I can handle long nights.” She pulls her phone from her purse. “Give me the details so I know what to expect.”
No complaints about the ruined evening. No sighing about the dinner we're missing. She's shifting into a mode I haven't seen before.
“I'll make it up to you,” I say. “I promise.”
“You don't owe me anything, Kai. Just tell me what's going on.”
I give her the abbreviated version. ELK's initiative, the Silverpoint contract, the competition.
“This school is in one of the toughest neighborhoods in the city,” I explain as we speed toward the outskirts. “The savings were supposed to fund music programs and art supplies. Now we look like the corporation that almost burned the place down. Even if we prove sabotage, the public perception will be devastating.”
Emma shifts in her seat. “You can't hide from this. You have to own the setback and make it the foundation of your next move.”
“Explain.”
“Everyone loves a resilience story. Launch a transparency campaign. Show the community exactly how you're making them whole. Turn a crisis into proof of your integrity.” Her voice sharpens. “You don't just fix the wing. You build them something better. Show them ELK doesn't run when things get ugly.”
I look at her. In the dim glow of the dashboard, she doesn't look like someone who cries in front of paintings or agonizes over pastry choices. This is a woman in her element.
“You're good at this,” I say.
“It's my job. Even if you wouldn't guess it from the spreadsheets I've been editing.” She offers a determined smile. “You just need to give people something to root for.”
Ravenwood is forty minutes from the city center. I make it in twenty-five.
***
