Chapter 11 – Alexander
ALEXANDER
The pavement and old rail cars reflected the afternoon sun back into the air, turning our surroundings into a sauna.
Bodies pressed in on all sides of us as people jostled to get a better view of the makeshift stage set up against an old boxcar.
The afternoon sun felt like molten metal against my navy-blue suit jacket, and I was regretting wearing the stifling material as we waited in the old rail yard for the groundbreaking to begin.
I shifted, blocking someone from jostling Evelyn.
Evelyn’s white, wide-brimmed sun hat brushed my shoulder as she glanced up at me.
Her light blue sundress hugged her torso and flared out at her waist. The ruffled hem danced around her knees, and her white sandals matched her hat.
Her arm brushed against mine, and I fought the urge to wrap my arm around her like I wanted to.
But unfortunately, we were in public, and I had promised to follow the no-PDA rule she had instituted after the Gala.
I understood the reasoning, but now, as a man off to her right eyed her form appreciatively, I wanted to wrap her in my arms and claim her in front of everyone.
“Welcome, everyone, and good afternoon!” he said, his voice upbeat. He smiled widely as he took in the size of the crowd.
There were more people than I expected there to be. I had expected the city council, and I had spotted the mayor, Patrick Winslow, in the crowd, but it appeared that quite a few members of the public had attended as well.
“Thank you all for joining me as we break ground on the Station Plaza project. These tracks were once the veins of our city, bringing goods, opportunity, and hope to every corner of our region. But like so many great arteries cut off from their source, they fell silent when our factories closed, and our community moved elsewhere.”
As he spoke, I noticed Evelyn had her phone out. Her fingers flew across the screen even as she watched him speak. I peered over her shoulder to see the notes app up on her phone.
“I didn’t invite you along today for you to work,” I whispered in her ear, enjoying the shiver that ran up her spine even on the hot day.
“I’m not taking them for SDS,” she murmured.
I frowned, then the pieces came together. She was taking them for the Archers. Information was one of the Archer’s most valuable currencies, and this was a big project.
Twenty years ago, this railyard had once been full of life as both freight and passenger trains rolled along the tracks.
When the old manufacturing plant shut its doors, though, the freight lines stopped running, and the passenger trains came through the city less and less frequently until they stopped altogether.
Today, only freight liners rumbled through the city, but they didn’t stop.
The buildings in the railyard had fallen into disrepair, and crime was more rampant in this district.
The Archers probably had their hands full here, so what Drake was talking about today would directly affect their operations.
With that in mind, I kept listening to Drake’s words but in a new light.
“Today, we will restore more than steel and stone. We will restore promise and prosperity. Under this initiative, we will build a modern passenger station right here in the heart of this district. We will turn this area into an oasis in the city, a place where young professionals and local entrepreneurs will flock to. A place where commerce will boom with the return of local businesses. And all of this will be fed by these train tracks. We will restore this city to its former glory.”
Drake was a talented speaker, and he had the crowd hanging on his every word.
“This isn’t just urban renewal; it’s a reconnection to our heritage and a bold step toward our shared future.
I invite each of you—residents, business owners, and travelers—to join us in writing the next chapter of this city’s story.
Together, we’ll turn these forgotten tracks into the lifeblood of a vibrant new community. Thank you.”
He used the screens placed behind him to show the proposed finished project.
I had to admit, it looked impressive. His architects had kept the industrial feel and blended in small greenscapes between the buildings and a large park in the center of the district.
Tall apartment buildings rose on each side of the tracks.
Evelyn frowned, her brow furrowed as she studied the images.
“What is it?” I asked.
“There are a couple hundred families living in this area,” she said quietly. “They’re not going to be able to afford to live here once this gentrification process is completed.”
I hadn’t even considered that. The weight of it settled low in my chest, uncomfortable and deserved.
Drake exited the stage and shook hands with Mayor Winslow and the city council members.
Drake began making his rounds in the crowd.
I placed a hand on Evelyn’s back and guided her towards the stage.
I wanted to meet Drake, but then I had plans for the rest of Evelyn’s and my time together.
Plans that did not include baking in the hot sun all afternoon.
Evelyn slipped her phone into her dress pocket and tucked her hand into my elbow as we approached the stage. Drake was talking to Mayor Winslow, who smiled when he noticed us walk up.
“Ah, good afternoon, Alex.” Patrick shook my hand, his smile warm. We had been talking almost every other day as I followed up on the case against Citadel, which was dragging out much longer than I expected it to. “Have you met Mr. Drake yet?”
“I haven’t,” I said, pasting on a polite smile as I extended my hand. “Alexander Stone.”
“Nathaniel Drake,” he replied warmly, taking my hand in a firm, practiced shake. “A pleasure to finally meet you.” His smile was easy and unforced, the kind that put people at ease, but his gray eyes were sharp. Wealth like his didn’t come from luck alone.
“And you must be…” He turned to Evelyn, offering his hand with the same courteous attention and practiced smile.
“Evelyn Harper,” she said, returning the handshake briefly. “I work for Mr. Stone.”
“Lucky man,” Drake said lightly.
“Great speech,” I said. “I do have a question, though.”
Drake nodded at me. “Thank you. What can I answer for you?”
“Excuse me, gentlemen, lady.” Patrick stepped back. “I need to catch Councilwoman Clements before she leaves.”
He walked away, and I made a mental note to reach out to him tomorrow to check on Citadel’s case.
I refocused on Drake. “I noticed in the photos you showed as well as in your proposal that you plan to have four apartment buildings in the area, and to make room for all of the buildings in the proposal, you will need to tear down approximately fifty homes in the area.” Drake nodded, and I continued.
“I was wondering what your plan is for the people who will be displaced from their homes when the project starts. They aren’t going to be able to afford the rent in those buildings. ”
Evelyn glanced at me, her eyebrows raised slightly before she turned to Drake for his answer.
His smile never faltered as he clapped a hand on my shoulder like we were old friends.
“Great question, and I can see how SDS has a reputation as a company that cares about its community. Two of those apartment buildings pictured will be rent-controlled. That should help, but ultimately, growth and change are going to displace some people.” He nodded at both of us.
“I’m sorry to cut and run, but I have more people to catch before they leave. Have a wonderful evening.”
He walked off, smiling widely as he shook hands and chatted with people. I glanced down at Evelyn. She was studying him, her bottom lip between her teeth and her brow furrowed. Drake had provided a good answer, but something was still worrying her.
“What are you thinking about?”
She hummed, studying him a moment longer before looking up at me. “Nothing.”
I nodded, wanting to pull her closer but hesitating because of where we were. I looked around at the crowd. There was no one here I needed to speak with, and I would much rather get out of here. “How about we go get dinner?”
“Are you sure? We can stay if you need to talk to someone,” Evelyn said, scanning the crowd.
“The only person I want to talk to for the rest of the night is you,” I said, smiling when she blushed. “Let’s go. We’ve worked enough today. No more work talk for the rest of the night.”
Her eyes twinkled up at me as I guided her to the car. “Where to next?” she asked as I opened the door for her.
“Dinner and then let’s see where the night takes us.”
We didn’t have our FIA tail today, and I was determined to make the most of the evening. I had a feeling our days were about to get crazier, and I wanted to keep the smile on Evelyn’s face instead of the furrowed brow she got when she worried.