Chapter Near Misses
Daphne focused on her work. The files came in later in the afternoon after the contract was signed. It was a complicated case and she had already started to send off her requests to Dom, according to what she had said in the meeting.
She had Reggie talk to some investigators and people he knew who had dealt with the Mera Corporation, as well as people in government who were interested in looking out for public health and increasing the amount of clean water for people in remote communities.
This kind of case could go on for ten or more years. With the support Reggie was gaining before they brought the case to court, the government would want to push it through, fighting against the corporation’s attempts to stall.
Reggie was checking on his different media people. Sometimes it was good to get public opinion and media on the topic. They hadn’t said anything to them, but they were interested in the tidbits Reggie had given them.
It was a month later when Daphne got all of the medical records, both past and present. She sent them to medical professionals she knew to confirm their information and that they were related to the supposed pollution and malpractices by the Mera Corporation.
Air and soil samplings were passed on to different groups that could properly analyze them. Daphne wanted to make sure that their case was solid before they started moving forward.
“We’ve got confirmation from the soil people.” Reggie entered her office.
“All right, then let’s start pooling together the people who were or are residents and wish to fight against the Mera Corporation.” Daphne sighed. It looked as though this would be moving forward.
In a few more weeks, they were firmly into winter. The sidewalks turned into icy disasters and were covered in snow.
They got their results from the medical professionals. There was a clear change in the bodies of the people in the area. From previous medical records, it was clear that there was a sharp uptick in the heavy metals in the people’s diet in the last four years. The Mera Corporation had been operating there for six years.
Daphne once again found herself at a meeting at the Wilderness Outreach Incubator. She was sitting down with Dom.
“Sorry, James is out. His daughter is down with the flu so he’s at home,” Dom said.
Daphne felt a pang of guilt. She hadn’t met Julia, only heard about her. She’d run away before Julia had arrived back at the cabin. “Ah, I hope she gets better soon.”
“We all do.” Dom looked genuinely sad. It was clear Julia wasn’t just the boss’s daughter to him. “So you said that it’s time to pull the trigger on this?”
“Yes.” Daphne pulled out the different documents she had compiled. “We have the reports on air, water, and soil. They’re telling us what the residents said. Their medical history compared to their current state paints a nasty picture. We are ready to submit our case to the Supreme Court of Ontario on behalf of family members, residents, and former residents relating to injuries to people’s health and contamination in the residential neighborhoods immediately surrounding the Mera Corporation.”
“Okay,” Dom said. This was a big step forward and the start of everything.
“If you agree, I can file this class action lawsuit today. It will take some time to be processed. Once it is, then we can start talking to our environmental friends, people in government and if needed, the media,” Daphne said.
“Thinking from all angles.” Dom smiled.
“That’s what you pay me for, Mister Eves.” Daphne smiled.
“All right, let’s get this thing rolling then!” Dom pushed back his chair and slapped his legs.
Daphne also stood and pulled her files back together.
“To winning this damn thing.” Dom held out his hand.
She shook it as he opened the door for her.
Daphne walked out of the office with a fire in her eyes and her steps confident. This was what she did and damn did she feel alive when she got herself into a new case.