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“How did you know I worked for Ethos?” Sylvia narrowed her eyes. “This is supposed to be an undercover task. Did Ingram rat me out?”
Something about the woman’s tone made Naya ready to defend her friend. What might Sylvia say to Ingram when they were back in the office? Her friend had enough to worry about right now without an altercation added to the list.
Naya winced. “You were in a picture Green Warriors posted on social media.” She didn’t want to lie. Better to get Sylvia to confirm Naya’s hunch rather than throw Ingram under the bus. “How long have you been working for both sides?”
“I guess you didn’t get the job as reporter for nothing.” Sylvia backed up a step. “I’m gonna find that evidence before you rat me out.” She walked off.
Naya headed back to the environmental group’s table and gave Ingram a discreet thumbs-up. “I want to go check out Eastside Firehouse’s set up.”
Ingram eyed her.
“I’ll tell you later.”
“Fine. That craft tent is calling my name,” Ingram said. “I’ll meet you at the firehouse spot after.”
Sylvia’s deflection to Naya’s question about her work at Ethos and Green Warriors told her there was more below the surface. Between a supposed drop-off location for waste and the insurance company claims, Naya had enough leads for more searches.
She wanted to ditch the rest of the festival and get back to the office and see what else she could find. But people were more important than work. Even if the two mixed. She wouldn’t shut others out or make them think she only needed them when it benefited her.
Several young boys stood at the firehouse table, handing out fliers and candy. Naya recognized some of the fire crewwho chatted with each other a few feet behind the teens. They weren’t in turnout gear, but they all sported matching navy zip-up jackets. A few had the truck emblem, while others sported the rescue one.
“How did you all get chosen to man the table?” Naya pegged the boys as early high-school age.
“Stephens gave us an in,” one boy piped up, his chin lifted. His nametag readAlex.
“Here’s information on fire safety.” Another boy handed her a pamphlet.
She took the flier. “How do you know Zack?”
“Our foster parents are friends with Zack. And now he hangs out with us too.”
How had she not known Zack helped out with foster kids? Given the smile on these kids’ faces, the interest Zack showed them might have changed their whole outlook on life.
If she’d needed a reason to be impressed by him, this would’ve been a good one. Too bad she didn’t.
An ache grew in her chest.
Alex nudged his friend with his elbow. “Ow. What was that for?”
“She doesn’t need to know all that information.”
Naya understood too well the stigma that came with being labeled as a foster kid. A somebody nobody wanted. “I was in a foster home at your age too.”
“So you get it?” Alex lifted a sad gaze her way.
“I do. I know you might feel alone but it’s not true. I had people who supported me while in foster care who are now like family to me. My best friend is right over there.” She pointed to Ingram at the booth next to them. “And her parents have become like a second mom and dad to me.”
“Whoa. That’s cool.”
“And I know Zack sees you all as his friends too.”
“Oh yeah. He’s the best.” The curly-haired boy puffed out his chest.
The smiles on their faces gave Naya an idea. This connection would make a beautiful story. One that highlighted the importance of community and raised awareness on the realities of foster care.
She was ready to ask them their names, but a siren broke through the air, grabbing everyone’s attention.
Several short beeps blasted afterwards.