CHAPTER NINE — THE PRESENTATION

The county sustainability showcase occupied a renovated train depot with tall windows and a stage at one end.
Displays about rain gardens, bicycle routes, and efficient public buildings filled the floor.
Rachel arrived with June, Pilar, and the Parkers half an hour before the scheduled ClearMeasure presentation.
Lena was already speaking to the event organizer beside the entrance.
She assured Rachel that the company’s authorization had been suspended pending investigation.
The company had been informed that it could not describe the residential installations as a city-approved experiment.
“Then why is it still speaking?” Rachel asked.
“The organizers are giving them a chance to address the complaints publicly,” Lena replied.
“I don’t think that’s wise.”
“Neither do I, but residents will be allowed questions, and an independent panel is present.”
Rachel glanced toward the stage.
A banner announced CLEARMEASURE: A SMARTER WAY TO LIVE WITH LESS.
She recognized the green circle and blue drop immediately.
The same emblem had sat on Carol’s basement window while Rachel’s shower sputtered upstairs.

Graham Tuttle stood near a model house explaining his work to a county commissioner.
He spotted Rachel and approached with an expression of professional regret.
“I’m pleased you could attend,” he said.
“The discussion will benefit from informed residents.”
“Are you going to tell them your equipment was installed without consent?” Rachel asked.
His smile tightened.
“I will describe a complicated pilot whose implementation encountered unforeseen difficulties.”
“A dozen families lost water pressure.”
“The extent of any direct relationship is still under review.”
Pilar stepped closer.
“You called it a controlled demonstration,” she said.
“Which variables did you control?”
Graham blinked.
“That is technical information.”
“You didn’t select a balanced group of households,” Pilar continued.
“Your installers used whichever yards they could enter.”
“Are you an authorized reviewer?”
“I’m a tradesperson who knows the difference between an experiment and a sales pitch.”
Graham glanced toward the organizers.
“Please direct your questions through the session moderator,” he said.
He returned to the display.
June watched him go.
“He talks like a door that locks from both sides,” she said.