The city’s statement appeared on the shelter’s temporary fence before the cleanup crew arrived.
UNFORESEEN GATE FLUCTUATION, it said. Beneath the headline, the city thanked responders and announced an assessment of the damaged building. The statement did not mention Sera’s earlier measurements or Jo’s signed report.
Faye stood at the fence with Mari and read it twice. Her original clearance notice was folded in a folder under Mari’s arm.
“They told us it was safe,” Faye said. “Now they say nobody could have known.”
At the clinic, Faye laid a copy of the clearance notice beside the city’s statement. Nora had already photographed the original for the inquiry. Now Faye wanted a different use for the copy.
“Put this beside their sign.”
Mari touched the folder under her arm. “People will know you showed it to us.”
“They should.” Faye sat, then pulled a blank sheet toward her. “I told people the city had checked. I want them to see what I was reading.”
