And Rusty coordinated the work, refusing to rush any step merely because the deadline was approaching.
Big Dave watched Paul examine the custom components.
“Think they're usable?”
Paul took his time.
“The condition looks promising, but we'll know after the full inspection.”
Dave nodded.
For a moment, he looked toward the office.
Leo was sitting with Mara, studying a photograph of Arthur and Dutch beside the motorcycle.
The big mechanic swallowed.
“I was pretty hard on the kid.”
Rusty didn't look up.
“Yeah.”
Dave rubbed his beard.
“He was just trying to help.”
“Yeah.”
The mechanic sighed.
“I should apologize.”
Rusty looked at him.
“Then apologize.”
Dave nodded.
But he didn't go immediately.
He wanted the repair work settled first, and he knew the boy had already endured a difficult afternoon.
By early evening, Paul confirmed that the preserved components met the necessary specifications after appropriate inspection. Several other items required attention, but the crew had the information and parts needed to proceed with a professionally supervised repair.
Rusty made the decision to continue.
The garage lights remained on.
Coffee brewed in the office.
The crew worked in shifts, checking one another's measurements and using Arthur's documentation rather than relying on assumptions about a stock engine.
For the first time in fourteen days, the work felt organized.
Not easy.
Not certain.
But understood.
Gravel watched from beside the workbench.
Every so often, he'd look toward Dutch's empty seat and shake his head.
“You planned this, didn't you?”
Rusty glanced up.
“What?”
Gravel smiled sadly.
“Not the breakdown. Dutch didn't know when he'd die. But that stubborn old man trusted Arty enough to keep his secrets.”
He looked toward the open case.
“And Arty trusted us enough to leave the answer.”
Rusty nodded.
Then returned to work.
Near ten that night, Mara prepared to take Leo home.
The boy protested.
“Mom, I want to see it run.”
She crouched beside him.
“I know.”
“What if it starts after we leave?”
“Then Rusty will tell us.”
Leo frowned.
“But I helped.”
She smiled gently.
“You did.”
He looked toward the garage.
Mara continued.
“And your father told you something important, remember?”
Leo nodded reluctantly.
“To let the grown-ups do their work.”
“Exactly.”
He sighed.
Then looked toward Rusty.
“Will you call?”
The mechanic smiled.
“The moment we know something.”
Leo considered that.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
Before leaving, he approached the motorcycle.
He stopped several feet away.
The engine was still being worked on, and the mechanics had marked the area to keep visitors safe.