Tommy got five minutes.
Nothing.
Another club member, Curt Sloan, tried.
He had worked on his own motorcycles for thirty years.
Nothing.
Dean grew louder.
“There we go.”
“Anybody else?”
Ray refused.
“I diagnose for customers, not gamblers.”
Dean looked at Grizz.
“You?”
Grizz smiled.
“I own the building.”
“I already win.”
Laughter.
Dean did not like that.
Then Lucas noticed the side cover.
Not the cover itself.
A connector behind it.
He had seen Ray inspect the harness.
Ray had checked the primary connector near the module.
Not the smaller inline connection partially hidden beneath the loom wrap.
Lucas could see only a sliver.
Something looked wrong.
Not disconnected entirely.
Crooked.
The latch seemed seated.
But the weather seal showed more than it should.
Lucas moved closer.
Dean noticed.
“Careful.”
Lucas stopped.
“What?”
“Floor might need sweeping.”
Several men laughed.
Not cruelly.
Nervously.
Grizz did not.
Lucas looked at the connector again.
Daniel’s voice appeared in memory.
What changed?
The motorcycle worked yesterday.
It sat inside overnight.
Now no start.
No storm.
No crash.
No service.
No owner modification.
Something changed.
Lucas looked at Eddie.
“Was anybody working on it last night?”
“No.”
“Battery charger?”
“No.”
“Accessories?”
“No.”
“Anybody move it?”
“Don't think so.”
Dean sighed loudly.
“Here comes the interrogation.”
Lucas ignored him.
“What time did it come inside?”
“Ten-thirty.”
“Started normally?”
“Perfect.”
Lucas looked at Grizz.
“Garage locked?”
“Yes.”
“Alarm?”
“Yes.”
Dean laughed.
“So now we're investigating motorcycle murder?”
Lucas turned.
“Can I try?”
Silence.
Dean stared.
Then grinned.
“Seriously?”
Lucas looked at Eddie.
“Your bike.”
Eddie studied him.
Lucas had changed oil on it once.
Never major work.
Eddie said:
“You see something?”
“Maybe.”
Dean laughed.
“That means no.”
Lucas looked at Grizz.
The older biker’s expression was not amused.
He walked closer.
“Lucas.”
“Yeah?”
Grizz lowered his voice.
“You don't owe him anything.”
Lucas looked at the cash.
Then Dean.
Then the motorcycle.
“I know.”
“Then don't do this because he's running his mouth.”
“I’m not.”
“Why?”
Lucas pointed subtly toward the side panel.
“I think something changed.”
Grizz stared at him for a second.
Then nodded.
“Your call.”
Dean clapped once.
“Oh, this is perfect.”
He checked his watch.
“Five minutes.”