Adrian Wells arranged a meeting with an independent property attorney named Claire Donovan, who specialized in complex ownership disputes. Maya arrived carrying her mother's sewing box, Samuel's photographs, and a folder of notes she'd compiled since meeting Thomas.
Nora, Samuel, and Jordan joined her.
Claire listened to their account without interrupting. She reviewed the documents they possessed, the notices posted outside the apartment building, and the history of the factory's closure.
Then she asked a difficult question.
"What exactly do you want to accomplish?"
Maya looked toward Nora.
"We want to stop families from losing their homes."
Claire nodded.
"And the factory records?"
"We want the truth."
The attorney explained that those were related but legally distinct goals. Challenging historic financial transactions would require evidence and might face significant time limits. The redevelopment project involved current property rights, notices, leases, and municipal approvals.
She couldn't promise that discovering wrongdoing years earlier would automatically stop construction today.
But she could help examine the records and determine which claims remained viable.
"First," Claire said, "we need lawful access to the factory."
Samuel showed her the maintenance diagram.
The hidden compartment was located beneath the old boiler room. Demolition was scheduled in four weeks.
Claire agreed to contact Harlan Properties and request supervised access to retrieve historical materials potentially relevant to active legal issues.
Maya looked skeptical.
"Why would they agree?"
"They might not. But we begin with a formal request."
Meanwhile, Claire arranged for a review of the notices received by residents on Maya's block.
Several contained confusing language about voluntary relocation packages, deadlines, and rights under existing leases.
Nora admitted that Gregory Harlan's representatives had pressured her to sell.
"They said the whole neighborhood was coming down anyway," she explained.
Claire examined the correspondence.
"Pressure isn't proof of unlawful conduct, but these statements deserve scrutiny."
For the first time, Maya felt they had a plan grounded in something stronger than suspicion.
After the meeting, she walked with Jordan toward the bus stop.
He was quiet.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
He looked at the old photograph of Evelyn.
"Mom spent her life trying to protect everybody."
Maya smiled sadly.
"She did."
"And you spent years taking care of me."
"That's what families do."
Jordan stopped walking.
"Maybe it's my turn to help."
Maya looked at his injured leg.
"You already are."
He shook his head.
"I mean really help. I can research company records, scan documents, organize volunteers."
Maya hesitated.
Then she smiled.
"All right. But you finish your classes."
Jordan laughed.
"Deal."
Across the street, a construction crew was removing windows from another abandoned building.
Maya watched the workers for a moment.
The neighborhood was changing quickly.
And she knew their time was running out.