Chapter 9 - The Door They Locked
"We can get water restored," Ricardo told the tenants. "Nobody leaves because of this."
He called the utility and an independent plumber, then photographed the chain without touching it. Leah reported the interference and the questionable notices. The tenants watched from their porches, uncertain whether to believe another well-dressed man promising help.
That evening, Ricardo returned to the hospital. Arturo asked about every family by name. When Ricardo told him about the water, his father shut his eyes.
"I made those apartments with your mother," Arturo said. "After the mill closed, people had nowhere to go. We charged what they could afford. That's why I wouldn't sell."
"Celeste told me you were stubborn."
"Maybe I am. Stubborn isn't the same as confused."
Ricardo sat beside him. "Dad, I believed her because it was easier. I have no good excuse."
Arturo reached for his hand. "Then don't make an excuse. Make something better."
A protective-services investigator arrived and asked Arturo to repeat what had happened in the house. He answered steadily, down to the red-taped key and the meals on the floor. He consented to the release of his medical records relevant to the investigation.
Afterward Elena showed Ricardo a voicemail. It was from an unknown number, left that afternoon.
A man's voice said, "Tell your brother to stop digging, or people at Mercer Street could get hurt."
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Behind the threat came another sound: a dog barking twice.
Scout was at the Vega house, still behind the fence.
