Maya examined the photograph until her eyes hurt. Jordan was barely six, smiling beside Evelyn at a factory Christmas party. Richard Harlan stood behind them wearing a dark suit. His hand rested on Evelyn's shoulder, an oddly familiar gesture for a man Maya remembered only through newspaper photographs.
"Why was he posing with my family?" she asked.
Thomas hesitated.
"Richard funded the holiday celebration that year."
"Then why hide the photograph?"
"Because someone later claimed your mother had a personal arrangement with him."
Maya felt anger rising.
"What kind of arrangement?"
Thomas explained that after Evelyn began asking questions about the missing benefit payments, rumors spread through the factory. Some workers were told she had received special financial favors from management. Others heard accusations that she was trying to obtain money through a private settlement.
"That wasn't true," Thomas said.
"Did you defend her?"
"Not publicly."
Maya looked away.
Thomas accepted her silence.
He continued explaining that Evelyn refused to stop investigating. Several weeks before the factory closed, she attended a meeting with Richard and demanded access to payroll documents. He offered her a payment in exchange for signing an agreement not to pursue the matter.
"Did she accept?"
"No."
"What happened next?"
"She lost her job."
Maya remembered that period. Evelyn told her the factory was reducing staff and encouraged her children not to worry. She never complained about being treated unfairly, even when money became scarce.
Thomas reached for a glass of water.
"Richard started buying properties around the factory shortly afterward. He said redevelopment would bring jobs back to Bellhaven."
Maya thought about the notice taped to her apartment building.
Harlan Properties intended to purchase the entire block, demolish several aging buildings, and replace them with luxury apartments.
Nora had mentioned residents facing uncertain relocation arrangements.
"Is he still involved?"
"Richard retired. His son, Gregory, runs the company now."
Maya recognized the name. Gregory Harlan appeared frequently in local newspapers, praising redevelopment as an opportunity to transform neglected neighborhoods.
She had even seen him interviewed outside the diner where she worked.
Thomas noticed her expression.
"What is it?"
"Gregory's company owns the building where I live."
The old man's face changed.
"Then this is worse than I feared."
"Why?"
"Because the properties surrounding the factory were part of the original financing arrangement."
Maya frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Thomas leaned closer.
"If those transactions were improper, Harlan may not have the ownership rights it claims."
Maya looked at the photograph again.
Her mother had been trying to protect workers eleven years earlier.
Now Maya wondered whether Evelyn's evidence could protect their homes.