But now Ruby knew something had almost happened here.
Something involving her grandmother.
Something people had forgotten.
Mr. Harris looked up when they approached.
“Ruby! Heard you went downtown.”
Ruby stared.
“How?”
“Mrs. Alvarez.”
Mrs. Alvarez leaned from her window.
“I heard it from your mother when she called asking if you’d come home.”
Claire shook her head.
“News travels faster in this building than electricity.”
“Especially when the electricity works,” Mr. Harris called.
Claire smiled despite herself.
Then Ruby noticed something.
Mr. Harris had lived in 114 Aldridge longer than anyone she knew.
“Mr. Harris?”
“Yes?”
“Did you know my grandma?”
His pencil stopped.
He looked at Claire.
Claire nodded slightly.
Mr. Harris folded his newspaper.
“Eleanor Bennett?”
Ruby sat on the step beside him.
“She tried to buy this building.”
Mr. Harris’s eyes widened.
“Well.”
He removed his glasses.
“Where did you hear that?”
Claire took the copied memorandum from her bag.
