“Friday.”
“I know.”
“Noon.”
Rusty nodded.
One of the younger bikers near Jim folded his arms.
“What happens if it doesn’t run?”
Jim answered without looking at him.
“It runs.”
That was all.
No threat.
No shouting.
Somehow, that made Rusty more nervous.
Big Dave stepped closer.
“We’ve replaced half the electrical system.”
Jim looked at him.
“And?”
“The starter spins. Fuel’s there. Compression’s strong. But we’re getting kickback and weird voltage collapse under repeated crank.”
Jim’s expression did not change.
“I’m not a mechanic.”
“I’m telling you this isn’t us being lazy.”
“I didn’t say you were lazy.”
Big Dave shut his mouth.
Rusty stepped in.
“We’ll get there.”
Behind them, the broom stopped moving.
Leo had been staring at the motorcycle again.
Specifically, at the left side of the engine.
Rusty noticed.
Then ignored it.
Jim started toward the door.
Leo spoke.
“You’re using the wrong timing marks.”
Nobody reacted at first.
The voice was too quiet.
Too young.
Then Big Dave slowly turned.
Rusty closed his eyes for half a second.
“Leo.”
The boy held the broom in both hands.
Every adult in the garage looked at him.
Rusty pointed toward the back.
“Keep sweeping.”
Leo did not move.
“That motorcycle isn’t standard.”
One of Jim’s riders laughed.
“Kid, neither is anybody in this room.”
A few men smiled.
Leo did not.
Rusty walked toward him.
“Leo.”
“The timing marks are wrong.”
Rusty lowered his voice.
“Enough.”
Leo tightened his grip on the broom.
“My dad told me.”
Rusty froze.
Jim, who had been halfway to the door, stopped.
The garage became quiet.
Jim turned back.
“What did you say?”
Leo looked at him.
“My dad told me that bike uses the wrong timing marks.”
Rusty stepped between them.
“He’s a kid. He’s heard mechanics talking.”
Leo moved sideways so he could see Jim.
“No.”
Rusty put a hand on his shoulder.
“Leo.”
The boy pulled free.
“That engine isn’t really an Evolution anymore.”
That got Big Dave’s attention.
Jim walked back toward the motorcycle.
“Explain.”
Rusty exhaled.
“Jim, seriously.”
Jim raised one hand.
Rusty stopped.
Jim looked at Leo.
“Come here.”
Leo glanced at Rusty.
Rusty gave him a warning look.
Leo walked toward the FXR anyway.
He stopped beside the engine.
His broom was nearly as tall as he was.
Jim stood opposite him.
“What’s wrong with it?”
Leo pointed toward the timing cover.