“It worked.”
Mack nodded.
“Yes.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“None.”
Leo frowned.
Mack continued.
“You did exactly what an emergency required.”
“Okay.”
“But if you repaired a customer’s motorcycle here the same way and called it finished, I’d fire you.”
Leo understood.
“Context.”
“Exactly.”
Mack pointed a wrench toward him.
“A good mechanic doesn’t show off how clever he can be. He gives the machine what the situation requires.”
Leo remembered that.
School remained harder.
He had missed too much.
Math came naturally when it involved engines.
Less naturally when it arrived as worksheets.
His teacher discovered the difference.
“You can calculate displacement.”
“Yes.”
“Compression ratio?”
“Yes.”
“Gear ratio?”
“Yes.”
“Then why is this algebra page blank?”
Leo looked at it.
“Boring.”
The teacher stared.
“Do it faster.”
Leo almost laughed.
Then did.
Months passed.
Hank’s case moved slowly.
Real justice disappointed Leo because it contained too much waiting.
Interviews.
Hearings.
Documents.
Delays.
Lawyers.
But eventually Hank Dawson lost his foster license permanently.
Fraud charges followed.
Then abuse charges supported by multiple witnesses.
Former foster children returned to testify.
Mason did.
Daniel did.
Leo did too.
The morning Leo entered the courtroom, his hands shook so badly he nearly dropped the Zippo.
Sully sat behind him.
Not wearing club colors.
Plain black shirt.
Mack sat beside him.
Angela was three seats away.