“He pushed something until it clicked.”
“Anybody could do that.”
Grizz looked at the cash.
“Apparently nobody did.”
A few men laughed.
Dean’s face reddened.
He pointed toward Lucas.
“Give him the five grand if you want.”
“This doesn't prove the module isn't failing.”
Lucas knelt again.
“Maybe it is.”
Dean stopped.
Lucas looked at the connector.
Something else bothered him.
His thumb had picked up a small red smear.
Bright.
Not blood.
Paint-like.
He rubbed it between gloved fingers.
Shop marking compound.
Torque seal.
Witness paint.
Mechanics used products like it to mark fasteners, settings, inspected connections, or detect movement.
Hale Motor Works used yellow.
Lucas knew because he had applied it that morning to a brake caliper bolt.
Red was not stocked at Grizz’s workbench.
Lucas looked around.
Then saw it.
Dean’s temporary tool roll sat on the side bench where he had placed it after inspecting the bike.
Beside it:
A small open bottle.
Red.
Lucas’s stomach tightened.
He did not speak.
Grizz noticed.
“What?”
Lucas looked at the bottle.
Then his finger.
Ray followed his gaze.
Dean saw both.
His face changed.
Lucas returned to the connector.
The red marking compound was not on the outside where someone would normally place a witness mark.
It was smeared near the locking tab.
Fresh.
Lucas touched it with a clean rag.
Still soft.
He stood slowly.
Dean said:
“What are you doing?”
Lucas looked at him.
“When did you mark this?”
Dean stared.
“What?”
“This connector.”
“I didn't.”
Lucas held up the rag.
Red.
Dean laughed.
“You think I carry the only red paint in Pennsylvania?”
“No.”
Lucas remained calm.
“But Grizz's shop uses yellow.”
Ray said:
“True.”
Dean looked at him.
“So?”
Lucas pointed toward Dean’s bench.
“That bottle's open.”
Dean’s voice sharpened.
“You're accusing me?”
“No.”
That answer surprised everyone.
Lucas continued:
“I’m asking when you touched the connector.”
“This morning.”
“Before or after Ray?”
“I don't know.”
Lucas nodded.
“Okay.”
Dean took a step.
“You want to be careful.”
Grizz immediately moved between them.
Not threatening.
Simply present.
“Dean.”
Dean stopped.
Lucas looked at Grizz.
“I’m not saying he did anything.”
Dean scoffed.
“Sure sounds like it.”
Lucas looked back at the connector.
Daniel again.
Machines don't care about pride. Get the facts.
Lucas said:
“Then let's get the facts.”
Ray folded his arms.
“What facts?”
“Bike ran last night.”
“Yes.”
“Connector loose this morning.”
“Yes.”
“Fresh compound on the latch.”
Ray nodded slowly.
Lucas looked toward the ceiling.
“Camera.”
Grizz followed his gaze.
Security cameras covered exterior doors.
One camera overlooked the main service floor.
Mostly for insurance.
Grizz’s expression changed.
Dean saw it.