Chapter 6 - The Building They Could Not Afford to Lose
Harbor House opened at seven the next morning. Nina arrived while Luis was carrying folding chairs into the computer lab. The notice was taped to the glass doors: PROGRAMS SUSPENDED PENDING PROPERTY REVIEW.
"They didn't even call Ms. Rivera first," Luis said. At nineteen, he taught coding there twice a week. "The kids came for breakfast. She had to tell them to go home."
Inside, director Alma Rivera stood before an empty bulletin board. "We were promised the grant last winter," she told Nina. "They kept saying a transfer was coming. Now the owner says the property may be sold."
"The trust owns the building," Nina said. "Evelyn Rowan left it for this center."
"That's what we were told. The latest paperwork says the trust approved moving operations elsewhere. There is no elsewhere."
Nina showed Alma both versions of the gala program. Alma traced the missing zeroes with her finger.
"This isn't only about money," she said. "When a place closes, people scatter. You can't reopen a family with a ribbon cutting."
Nina asked for copies of the letters, leaving the originals with Alma. She showed Luis the threat and told him not to confront anyone.
"I'm not a kid anymore."
"I know. That's why I'm telling you the truth."
On the way out, Nina spotted a black sedan across the street. A man behind its wheel lifted a camera toward the building. When she raised her phone, the car drove away.
Alma had seen it too. "That same car was here yesterday."
Nina sent the license plate photograph to the foundation's attorney and wrote down the time. She didn't know whether the driver worked for Nicole, the buyer or a reporter.
Then Alma handed her a copy of Evelyn's dedication letter, framed for years near the entrance. Its final sentence was underlined in blue ink.
THE HOUSE IS TO REMAIN A PLACE WHERE NO ONE MUST ASK PERMISSION TO BELONG.
May you like
On the back, in Evelyn's handwriting, was a reference to an attachment that had never been displayed: Schedule B. Nina had never seen it, but she knew who kept the original.
Judith Bell.
