Audrey gave a choked laugh and brushed at the tears cascading down her cheeks. Once they were parked, she rushedin, gave his name, and was taken back behind the doors. River ran her hands through her hair and then sank into one of the worn blue chairs in a room running over with fear of the unknown. She blankly stared at the TV for a while and then turned to her phone after watching an ad for used cars three times in a row.
There was a missed text from Adriana.
Holy shit, this is going to be so much fun. Have researched the fuck out of BP and already have a plan in motion. B-roll?
Well, that would be a good way to pass the time. River opened her gallery and started picking out videos and photos that showcased her community. Fortunately, she had a lot of them, given how invested she was in local events. It also made her think of seeing Marina and Sheila Black at the ballet. Sheila’s energy was dark and…gross. That was the only way she could put it. Like a blob ghost had sex with a puddle of oil and then a fox had peed in it. Foul, noxious, clinging.
Why had Marina felt the need to introduce her? Did she want to show River whose side she was on? River thought back to what she’d felt in the moment. No. Marina had been embarrassed by the association. River began to grin. Maybe Marina wasn’t quite so on the side of villainy as she thought she was.
“Hey.” Audrey plopped into the seat next to her.
“Hey. What’s the news?” River took her hand and held it, knowing full well how important touch was to let someone know they weren’t alone.
“He’s stable, thank the goddess. They’re going to keep him for observation for a few days to see if they can figure out the real cause, but he’s going to be okay.” She rested her head on River’s shoulder. “I don’t know what I would have done without him.”
“Good thing you don’t have to figure it out.” River kissed the top of her head and noticed how much more gray there was inher hair. How had she missed that? “Are you staying or going home?”
“Going home. They pretty much kicked me out. I’ll come back during visiting hours tomorrow.”
River stood and pulled her up. “Good. My butt was about to become the same shape as the chair.”
Audrey shook her head as they walked out into the cold night air. “I’m sure you could find someone to massage it back into form.”
The ride back to Audrey’s was quiet, and River was glad to walk the few blocks home. It was silent, and she could even see a couple of stars through the city’s light pollution. There was a sound, a feeling of darkness and desperation… She closed her eyes and sighed before turning around.
The eyes behind the mask widened as she faced him before he said anything. The rusty knife he held at neck height glinted under the flickering streetlight. “Wallet and watch. Now.”
She reached into her pants pockets and turned them inside out. “Sorry, man. I don’t have anything on me. I was in a rush and didn’t pick anything up.” She shoved up her shirt sleeves to show the lack of a watch too.
“Fuck you. You must have something on you.” He waved the knife, his eyes darting over and around her.
“Nope. Just left a hospital.” She tilted her head and opened her senses. “I’m sorry you’re hurting. It’s tough when kids get sick, and there’s nothing we can do. I hope you can find another way to help her. Because if you get caught, she’s going to lose her dad, and there won’t be a damn thing you can help with from behind bars.”
The knife lowered and the whites of his eyes shone in the darkness. “How the fuck you know about my life? Who the fuck are you?”
She waved in the direction of the shop. “I’m a psychic. I just know shit, and I know you’re not going to be able to pay her medical expenses by grabbing a few wallets. Especially in this neighborhood.” Hopefully, she hadn’t just given him the idea to go rob people in richer communities, even if that did make more sense than trying to rob people who already didn’t have a whole lot.
He let the knife dangle at his side and his head dropped. “I don’t know what to do. Her mom died, and I’m all she’s got, and I can’t let her down.”
“Check with the Starlight Kids Foundation. They might be able to get you some help.” River shoved her hands in her pockets, certain she was out of danger now.
He backed away, waving the knife in a vague farewell, and then jogged off into the night.
With a sigh, she made it the rest of the way home without incident. Desperation was an evil disease, one without mercy. She knew the crime rates for her area, and she knew why they were so high. Gentrification would force people into other communities they couldn’t afford, and their lives would get worse, not better. But then, things weren’t getting any easier around here either.
No ghosts waited in her yard, for which she was thankful. The lamp tottered a little to suggest Marjorie was still up and about, but she didn’t shout anything rude. River crawled into bed and could only wonder how saving the community had become the focus of her life. And how did Marina fit into whatever game the Universe was playing?
CHAPTER 17
Marina’s phone buzzed,and she pulled herself from the file she’d been staring at for over an hour. Whatever Black Pinnacle’s previous lawyer had done, it had become a gordian knot meant to confuse and befuddle. She was both, and she wasn’t even the target. “Yes?”
“There’s an Adriana on the phone for you. She’s a journalist.” Cari’s tone was bright and noncommittal.
“I’ll take it, thanks.” When the call came through, she took a deep breath before answering. “Marina Fuentes. How can I help you?”
“Thanks for taking my call. I’m doing a story on the gentrification of South Shore, and I wanted to see if you or your client had any input? I’d love to ask you a few questions.”
Ah. So it was the South Shore deal they were snooping around. “I’m sure you’re aware that as a lawyer, I can’t speak to any media without my client’s permission.”
