Chapter 17 #2
"Is it true you're romantically involved with Hunter Turner, who owns the majority of the land in the Willow Creek area?" Susan White again, her pen poised over her notebook.
My face flushes, but I keep my voice steady. "My personal life is not relevant to the scientific validity of my findings. The contamination exists regardless of who I'm dating. The chemical analyses speak for themselves."
"But it raises questions about objectivity," she presses. "You're asking us to accept research that directly benefits the community you're personally invested in?—"
"The research benefits everyone whose water supply has been contaminated," I interrupt, allowing some heat into my voice.
"That includes Parkerville, multiple communities downstream, and yes, Willow Creek.
The science doesn't change based on who conducted it.
Every one of my samples can be independently verified.
Every test can be replicated. I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm asking you to look at the data."
Lydia stands up from her seat, and I see her making her way toward the stage. But before she can reach the podium, there's a commotion at the back of the room.
A man in an expensive suit is pushing his way through the crowd, followed by two others who look like lawyers. He's in his fifties, with silver hair and the kind of confidence that comes from having power and money.
"Excuse me," he says loudly, his voice cutting through the noise. "I'm Robert Long, legal counsel for EnvironTech Corporation. And I'd like to address some serious inaccuracies in what's been presented here today."
The room goes silent. Sheriff Matthews moves to block the man's path to the stage.
"Mr. Long, this is an official briefing about an ongoing investigation. If you have concerns about the findings, you can address them through proper channels?—"
"The proper channel is right here, right now, before this young woman damages my client's reputation with unsubstantiated claims." He turns to face the crowd, playing to the cameras.
"EnvironTech is a responsible corporate citizen with a long history of environmental stewardship.
The facility Dr. Sinclair is referring to has been properly decommissioned and poses no threat to public health. "
"Then why is it actively venting?" I ask, my voice carrying across the room. "Why are there fresh tire tracks leading to the facility? Why did Sheriff Matthews document dozens of leaking barrels on the premises?"
Long's smile doesn't waver. "Any activity at the site is part of our ongoing maintenance and monitoring program. As for the barrels, those were properly stored decades ago and are being addressed through our remediation plan."
"Your remediation plan that involves dumping toxic waste into the groundwater?" The words are out before I can stop them, too sharp, too emotional.
"Dr. Sinclair." Long turns his focus on me, and I see the calculation in his eyes.
"You're a graduate student conducting preliminary research.
You don't have the expertise or the resources to make the kinds of claims you're making here.
EnvironTech employs dozens of environmental scientists, all of whom have reviewed our operations and confirmed we're in full compliance with all regulations. "
"I'm not a graduate student, I'm a postdoctoral researcher," I correct, hating how defensive I sound. "And my findings have been reviewed by multiple independent experts?—"
"Independent experts with ties to the Willow Creek community," Long interrupts smoothly. "Experts who have a vested interest in attacking my client. This isn't science, Dr. Sinclair. This is activism."
Lydia reaches the stage, and Matthews steps aside to let her approach the podium.
"Mr. Long, I'm Lydia Reeves, legal counsel representing the affected communities.
Your client's claims of compliance are directly contradicted by both Dr. Sinclair's research and Sheriff Matthews's official investigation.
The EPA and state environmental agency have already opened formal investigations.
If EnvironTech is truly in compliance, I'm sure those investigations will confirm it. "
"And when they do, we'll be pursuing legal action against everyone involved in this defamation campaign," Long says coldly. "Starting with Dr. Sinclair and her alleged research."
The threat hangs in the air. I feel my stomach drop, but Lydia doesn't even blink.
"Any legal action against Dr. Sinclair would be frivolous and quickly dismissed.
Her research is sound, properly documented, and falls well within the bounds of academic freedom and public interest." She turns to the crowd.
"EnvironTech can make all the threats they want.
It won't change the facts. Their facility is contaminating the watershed, and they're going to be held accountable. "
Long stares at her for a long moment, then shifts his attention back to me. "We'll see about that, Dr. Sinclair. I hope your research can withstand the scrutiny it's about to receive."
He turns and leaves, his lawyers following. The room erupts in conversation again.
Matthews takes control, wrapping up the press conference with information about where residents can get bottled water and updates on the investigation. I step back from the podium, my legs suddenly shaky.
Hunter is there immediately, his hand on my lower back. "You did great."
"He just threatened to sue me."
"He threatened. He won't follow through. Lydia's right. He's got nothing." He guides me off the stage, away from the crowd and cameras. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."
We make our way through the backstage area and out a side door. The cool afternoon air is a relief after the stuffy auditorium. I lean against the brick wall, taking deep breaths.
Rachel and Caleb join us a moment later, followed by Ethan and Lydia.
"That was intense," Rachel says. "But effective. I've already got messages from three different journalists asking for follow-up interviews."
"The story's going to be everywhere by tonight," Caleb adds. "Which means EnvironTech is going to be scrambling to control the damage."
Lydia is typing rapidly on her phone. "I'm sending a cease and desist to Long preemptively. His threat of a lawsuit made in a public forum with media present is going to look terrible for EnvironTech. They won't want that publicity."
"What happens now?" I ask.
"Now we wait," Lydia says. "The EPA will take weeks to complete their investigation.
The state environmental agency will move faster.
It may take them a few days to confirm the contamination and issue emergency orders.
In the meantime, EnvironTech is going to throw everything they have at discrediting the research and anyone associated with it. "
"Meaning me."
"Meaning all of us," Hunter says firmly. "But mostly their focus will be on the officials and agencies. You're a researcher who reported what you found. That's protected speech."
We're discussing next steps when I notice movement near the parking lot. A group of men are approaching. Marcus is in the lead, with Garrett and about five others behind him.
Hunter notices too. His whole body tenses, and I feel the shift in the air, the way his protective instincts immediately kick in.
"Stay here," he says quietly to me.
"Hunter—"
"Please, Ava."
He moves to intercept Marcus before the group can reach us. I watch as they face off, close enough that I can hear raised voices but not make out the words. Caleb moves to stand beside his brother, and Ethan positions himself slightly in front of me and Rachel.
"What's happening?" I ask quietly.
"Pack politics," Rachel says, her voice tight. "Marcus has been waiting for an opportunity like this."