Chapter 33 - The SiegeWhen Renata stepped into the lobby of Vanguardia Legal, she was met by a barrage of flashbulbs and four uniformed police officers flanking a smug-looking city zoning official.
"Renata Garza," the official said loudly, ensuring the press cameras behind the glass doors caught his authoritative tone. "We are here to serve a cease-and-desist order. Your newly opened sanctuary has been cited for twenty-four critical structural and zoning violations. The premises must be evacuated within the hour."
Renata didn't flinch. She slowly walked up to the official, her presence commanding enough to make the police officers instinctively step back.
"Those permits were signed and verified by the Supreme Court of the district, Mr. Chavez," Renata said, her voice dripping with absolute authority. "If you attempt to bulldoze a sanctuary full of battered women and children, I will personally see to it that you face federal charges for reckless endangerment."
"I am just following orders, ma'am," the official sneered, handing her a thick manila envelope. "You have sixty minutes."
Renata took the envelope. She didn't open it. She looked directly into one of the news cameras pressing against the glass.
"An anonymous billionaire is using city resources to throw abused women onto the streets to protect his own bruised ego," Renata announced clearly to the camera. "We will not evacuate. We will not be intimidated. If they want to tear down the sanctuary, they will have to run me over first."
She turned to her security detail.
"Lock the doors. Nobody gets in without a federal warrant."
As the inspectors fumed outside, Renata returned to her office. On her pristine desk, bypassing all her security, sat a long, black rectangular box.
She opened it. Inside lay a dozen dead, black roses. Attached was a handwritten note on heavy, expensive cardstock.
A candle thinks it is the sun until the wind blows. Stop while you still have something to lose. - H.
May you like
Renata crushed the note in her fist.
"I am not a candle," she whispered. "I am a wildfire."
