No hesitation.
No performance.
His attention moved entirely into the machine.
She was accustomed to experts explaining themselves while working.
Usually for her benefit.
This man seemed to forget she existed.
That annoyed her.
It also interested her.
The Single Dad pointed toward the rear edge of the lower shield.
“Remove that.”
The Engineer frowned.
“That requires twelve fasteners.”
“Yes.”
“We don’t have time.”
“Then enjoy replacing the controller.”
The CEO said:
“Remove it.”
The panel came down.
The Single Dad reached upward with a small light.
Then stopped.
“Found something.”
Everyone moved closer.
“What?”
The Single Dad pointed.
A heavy braided ground strap ran from the transmission housing toward the chassis.
Near its upper mount, the insulation sleeve showed heat discoloration.
The metal braid itself looked dark.
The Senior Engineer leaned closer.
“That cannot cause complete lockout.”
The Single Dad touched the fastener.
It moved.
Barely.
Enough.
“Loose.”
The Engineer stared.
The Single Dad removed it.
Underneath, the contact surface showed a thin arc mark.
The CEO saw.
“What does that mean?”
The Single Dad answered without looking at her.
“Intermittent connection.”
“High resistance.”
“Heat.”
“Voltage reference shift.”
“Modules start disagreeing.”
“Safety logic assumes worst case.”
“Car shuts itself down.”
The Senior Engineer looked at the burned contact.
“But why now?”
The Single Dad held up the fastener.
“Because the car hit a bump.”
Silence.
The Garage Owner smiled.
The Senior Engineer did not.
The CEO looked toward the Single Dad.
“How long?”
“To repair?”
“Yes.”
“Properly?”
“Yes.”
“Twenty minutes.”
She checked the clock.
“Do it.”
The Single Dad looked at her.
“You’re authorizing modification?”
“I am.”
He did not move.
“What?”
she asked.
“I want that in writing.”
Several people stared.
The CEO almost smiled.
“You’re asking me for written authorization?”
“Yes.”
“You think I’m going to blame you?”
“I think everybody likes accountability until something expensive breaks.”
The Garage Owner coughed.
He had never been prouder.
The CEO removed her phone.
Sent the authorization.
The Single Dad checked the message on the Garage Owner’s device.
Then nodded.
“Good.”
He started working.
The CEO remained.
She should have returned to the conference room.
Her assistant reminded her twice.
She ignored both reminders.
The Single Dad cleaned the chassis contact surface.
Inspected the cable.
Rejected it.
“Why?”
the Senior Engineer asked.
“Heat damage.”
“We don’t have a replacement.”
“I do.”
The Engineer laughed.
“For a prototype?”