Just watched.
The bracket Dean loosened Friday afternoon had done the trick. It held all weekend. It held long enough to pass a casual inspection. It didn’t hold today under the additional weight.
It wasn’t a major collapse. No one died.
But it was enough to rattle everyone and slow things down. Enough to make people question the safety of the site.
He could already see it. The concerns. The delays. Permits under review. And Lainey front and center with fingers pointing straight her way.
Perfect.
The headlines were easy to imagine.
Another safety concern at historic redevelopment site.
He adjusted his tool belt and walked calmly toward the mess, pulling on his gloves like everyone else.
Just another day on the job.
Lainey sat at her desk,rubbing her brow. When was this going to end? The police had finished taking statements a short time ago. There was nothing she could tell them. The site was locked over the weekend. Finn had checked the feeds. No one had access. It was the only piece of equipment damaged. Yada yada yada. And they promised to file a report.
The crew had been dismissed for the day with pay. Gus and Finn were walking around the site, checking every bolt and nail.
But she wasn’t done. There was more paperwork to be filled out, and Lainey knew the town would get involved. She only prayed that they didn’t take the project away from her, but after all the problems, she couldn’t guarantee that wouldn’t happen.
A knock on the door jolted her out of her negative thoughts.
“Lainey, the safety inspector is here,” said Gus, poking his head in.
“Crap.” She let out a long breath and stood. “I guess I’d better get this over with.”
Out in the lot, she spotted an older woman in khakis and a navy polo with a clipboard in her hand staring at the twisted scaffolding surrounded by yellow caution tape.
“Why do I feel like I’m going to my doom?” Lainey muttered.
“You’ll be fine,” said Gus beside her. “This is just a blip. These things happen.”
“Happen, yes. But so many on one site?”
He had no answer.
Finn came out of one of the buildings, noticed the woman and made his way over.
“Lainey Harper?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Carmen Ellis from the county Building and Safety Division.” She flipped open a folder, scanning the notes. “I’m here to assess the incident and review your compliance history. I’ll also need access to the site and structural plans for the scaffolding.”
Finn stepped forward before Lainey could respond. “The plans are in Lainey’s office. I can walk you through the site.”
Carmen cocked her head. “And you are?”
“Finn Ryder. Brotherhood Alliance is providing security for the site.”
“Noted.” Her gaze shifted to Gus. “And you are?”
“Gus Navarro, construction foreman.”
