He stopped.
Jimmy almost enjoyed it.
Almost.
The supervisor looked toward Pete.
Pete nodded.
The man's face drained.
Beth pointed toward the press.
“Lock it out.”
“But—”
“Now.”
He moved.
Fast.
Jimmy looked at Beth.
“You have a talent.”
“For?”
“Making people move.”
She smiled.
“Useful.”
Jimmy walked toward the panel.
The bypass wire was still there.
Untouched.
Beth photographed it.
Then footsteps approached.
Alan Pike.
Plant manager.
Fifty-eight.
Large.
Red-faced.
He saw Jimmy first.
Fury.
“What are you doing here?”
Then saw Beth.
Fury disappeared.
“Ms. Crawford.”
Beth turned slowly.
“Mr. Pike.”
“I didn't know you were visiting.”
“That is becoming the best part.”
Pike looked toward the stopped line.
“What happened?”
Beth pointed.
“Why is that safety relay bypassed?”
Pike stared.
“I'd have to ask maintenance.”
Jimmy laughed once.
Pike glared.
“You don't work here.”
Beth said:
“He does for the next ten minutes.”
Jimmy looked at her.
She ignored him.
Pike shifted.
“Ma'am, Jimmy was terminated for—”
“I read the letter.”
Pike stopped.
Beth continued.
“I want the complete incident log from Line Four for the last thirty days.”
Pike hesitated.
“And all maintenance access records.”
Another hesitation.
“Now.”
Pike looked toward Jimmy.
That glance mattered.
Fear.
Not irritation.
Jimmy noticed.
Beth did too.
Pike said:
“I'll call Voss.”
“No.”
“Ma'am?”
“You will not call Martin Voss.”
Pike's eyes widened.
“Why?”
Beth smiled without warmth.
“Because I told you not to.”
Pike left.
Jimmy watched.
Beth turned.
“You saw it.”
“Yes.”
“Fear.”
“Yes.”
“Of Voss?”
“Maybe.”
Beth looked at the press.
“Or of what we find.”
Jimmy nodded.
Pete approached.
Quietly.
“Jimmy.”
“What?”
Pete glanced around.
Then handed him a small flash drive.
Jimmy stared.
“What is this?”
Pete spoke barely above whisper.
“Copies.”
“Of what?”
“Maintenance logs.”
Jimmy’s expression changed.
Pete continued.
“You told me to save them Wednesday.”
Beth looked toward Jimmy.
“You did?”
Jimmy nodded.
“I didn't think they'd fire me that fast.”
Pete continued:
“Thursday morning, the system history changed.”
Beth stepped closer.
“Changed how?”
“Original alarm entries disappeared.”
“Who has access?”
“IT, management, regional.”
Jimmy asked:
“Did you keep originals?”
Pete nodded toward drive.
Beth held out her hand.
Pete did not give it.