Chapter 21: The Inspection Notice
Saturday morning brought two inspectors, a municipal vehicle, and an argument in Elena’s driveway.
The senior inspector, Daniel Hsu, explained that he had issued an immediate restriction on the workshop’s use.
No public demonstration or commercial activity could take place until its floor and mechanical equipment were assessed.
Elena showed him the damage around the white door.
Hsu examined the hinges and asked whether she had authorized the recent modifications.
“I didn’t know they existed,” Elena said.
A younger inspector took measurements while Felix explained the concealed outlet and track.
Hsu found a small brass plate on the exterior wall that had been painted over.
It listed an old occupancy classification for storage and light fabrication.
“This building was never approved as an assembly venue,
” he said.
“If somebody is planning to bring guests inside, they need to stop.”
A white pickup pulled into the street before he finished speaking.
Two men climbed out wearing work shirts with Westbridge Events embroidered above the pocket.
The older man introduced himself as Colin Marsh, operations director.
He looked surprised to see the inspectors.
“We’re here to collect our equipment,” he said.
Hsu asked to see authorization from the property owner.
Marsh produced an email on his phone bearing Mrs. Hartwell’s name.
Elena looked at the date.
It had been sent three months after Mrs. Hartwell’s death.
Marsh noticed her expression and quickly explained that an employee had forwarded the old authorization from a shared account.
“The original agreement predates the sale,” he said.
“We only need an hour.
”
“You won’t have one,” Elena answered.
“Nothing leaves my building until we know what belongs to whom.”
Marsh glanced toward the workshop and then toward Lorraine’s house.
“This is going to create a problem,” he said.
Hsu stepped between them.
“The building is restricted,” he replied.
“You can discuss access through the proper channels.”
The men returned to their pickup without unloading a single tool.
But Elena noticed that Marsh had not asked where the equipment was stored.
He already knew.
Chapter 22: What Lorraine Heard
Lorraine called Elena from across the street an hour later.
Her voice sounded smaller than it had at the gate.
“I saw the Westbridge truck,” she said.
“Did they go inside?”
“No,” Elena replied.
“The inspector stopped them.”
Lorraine exhaled.
Elena asked how she knew about the demonstration.
For several seconds, Lorraine said nothing.
Then she explained that Northfield’s former supervisor, Graham Bell, had contacted her in the spring.
He claimed the Hartwell workshop still contained scenery that belonged to his company.
He wanted her to watch for anyone entering the property before the sale closed.
“Why you?” Elena asked.
“Because I helped clear the theater after Peter disappeared,” Lorraine answered.
“He said I was the only person who knew how the pieces fitted together.”
Bell had visited twice with Westbridge technicians and promised to remove the equipment before the new owner arrived.
When Elena’s moving van appeared, Lorraine had assumed the technicians were about to lose access.
“And you attacked me to make me leave,” Elena said.
Lorraine did not deny it.
“I wanted you to call the seller and say the house wasn’t safe,” she replied.
“I thought a delay would give them time.”
Elena gripped the phone.
“You put broken glass across my kitchen because you wanted a delay?”
“Yes,” Lorraine whispered.
Elena was too angry to speak for a moment.
Then she asked what Bell had promised her.
“Nothing,” Lorraine answered.
“He told me the equipment was dangerous and that I had already failed one child.”
Elena heard the shame in the older woman’s voice but refused to let it erase the choice she had made.
“You could have called the building department,” she said.
“You could have told me about the track.”
“I know.”
Elena told Lorraine to give Shah the same account and ended the call.
A minute later, she wrote down every detail while she still remembered the words.
