River wasn’tin the least surprised to find Marina standing in the crowd. In fact, she’d been fairly certain she’d felt her there, like a magnet calling to its counterpart. But she hadn’t wanted to scan the crowd, looking for the woman who turned her emotions inside out and upside down.
Trust Mrs. Crabtree to stir the proverbial pot. She looked almost gleeful as she stared Marina down.
The cameras all turned that direction, and Marina’s chin lifted, like she was accepting the challenge and prepared to get in the ring. The woman next to her took a step back and pulled her ballcap lower.
“Ah. Marina Fuentes, is it?” Adriana strode toward her, camera people moving to capture the moment without intruding. “I spoke to you on the phone, but you didn’t want to comment. What brings you here today?”
Marina’s hands were pressed hard against her jeans. Was it to keep from clenching her fists or to make sure they didn’t shake? River stayed where she was, trying to ignore the desire to step in front of Marina to protect her. She wasn’t someone who’d appreciate the gesture.
“Curiosity. I’m not here in any official capacity.” She shrugged like it was no big deal.
“In that case, since you’re not here officially, maybe we can get your perspective. My research shows that you’re originally from the Pilsen area, which has definitely had its share of gentrification issues. Does that make you sympathetic to the community’s concerns here in South Shore?”
River looked down at her boots and tried not to grin. Marina had been wedged between a rock and a hard place. If she said no, she’d appear unempathetic and like she’d lost her roots. But if she said yes, she’d definitely piss off her client.
“Sympathy isn’t the issue here. The issue is far larger than you can talk through standing in a park in the cold.” Marina’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“Do you think a more honest conversation would happen in a conference room?” River asked from where she was still standing beside Mrs. Crabtree, who’d taken a seat on the picnic bench.
“Maybe. There would be less emotion involved. More facts and logic.” Marina stared at her, expression neutral.
“But thisisan emotional topic. It isn’t just about crime statistics or empty buildings. It’s about community. It’s about the heart of a place that would be ripped away if the people were forced out.”
There was a cheer from the crowd, and Marina rolled her eyes.
“No one is forcing anyone to move. In situations like this, people are offered money for their property. They accept it or they don’t. No one forces them to do anything they don’t want to do.”
“That’s about as true as it is that hogshit smells like roses.” Mrs. Crabtree pointed that lethal cane of hers again. “You can lawyer-talk this all you want and try to convince peoplethat what they’re living through isn’t true. I’ve been offered a hundred thousand dollars for my house. But I had it valued after that offer, and I know it’s worth at least three hundred and fifty thousand. Your client must think we have the common sense of squash if that’s what they’re offering people.”
Marina’s eyes flickered ever so slightly, and River caught the waver in her energy. Clearly, she hadn’t anticipated someone discussing money matters so publicly. “I can’t discuss anything to do with the particulars of my client’s business.”
Mrs. Crabtree tsked, shaking her head imperiously. “And that’s how it works. You ask a direct question, and you get a brick wall.That’swhat would happen in one of your fancy conference rooms. At least out here we can talk about it like real people.”
Adriana walked back to stand beside River. “Along those lines, tell us about your life here, River. Why do you care about South Shore?”
Marina stayed put, much to River’s surprise. She’d expected her to fade away after that little confrontation. She should have known better. Marina wasn’t a coward.
“When I was little, my mom and Mrs. Crabtree would sit on the porch drinking lemonade. They’d talk about anything and everything. When the Robinson boy got sick, she and my mom rallied everyone and raised money to get their family through the worst of it. When I was a teenager, I managed to get in a little trouble,” River laughed when Mrs. Crabtree snorted, “and Mr. Montgomery from three houses down let me hide in his kitchen until the people looking for me had given up.” River looked over the crowd, meeting people’s eyes. “In this crowd alone, I can see many, many people who have come to my shop, or who I’ve had coffee with, or who own businesses they’re proud of and that matter to the community.”
Adriana smiled, her head tilted slightly. “You’re making it sound like some kind of utopia, River. But it isn’t, is it?”
River sighed. “Of course not. Last night I was walking home and someone tried to mug me. But you know why? He was desperate. He has a sick kid, and he can’t afford to pay for her medical care. Does that make it right? Of course not. Do we have a lot of inner-city problems? Yeah, we do. But instead of trying to force us out and into other areas that also have problems, why not help us instead?”
“People might say that handouts aren’t the way to fix things.” Adriana looked at the cameras pointed her way. “Ms. Fuentes is right when she says this is a big issue with a zillion facets.” She looked at Marina. “What would you say if I said Black Pinnacle has a history of questionable actions when it comes to getting what they want?”
“First of all, I’d say no comment.” Marina crossed her arms. “Second, I’d say plenty of people scream that things are unfair when someone else is doing better than they are.”
Grumbling rose from the crowd, and River felt the energy of it shift from calm, intent alertness to rising anger.
“You’re saying the disenfranchised are wrong when they say big corporations treat them as expendable or ignorable?” Adriana raised her eyebrows. “You’re really suggesting that it’s just jealousy or envy when people are pushed out of their neighborhoods?”
“I’m saying, andnoton behalf of my client, that change is inevitable. Cities go through it all the time. It’s an ebb and flow situation as common, and as unrelenting, as the tides.” Again, Marina’s posture suggested she was at ease, but her energy flickered like tiny bolts of lightning.
Adriana looked at her for a long moment and then turned back to the cameras. “Tonight I’m going to visit some of the local businesses and talk to some of the homeowners. Tomorrow, I’m going to talk to you about Black Pinnacle. And believe me when I say you’re not going to want to miss that. See you in a few.”
The cameras lowered, and River shook Adriana’s hand. “I can’t tell you what it means to us to have you doing this.”
“Hey, if Madison calls, I answer.” She laughed and looked over her shoulder. “I think a lot of the crowd will follow me to the other businesses I’m headed to. But I’d like to save yours for the last report, if that’s okay? Kind of bookend the story with you. And those anecdotes you gave were perfect. When we hang out at your place, could you grab some photos and stuff?”
