| October 2, 2023 – 5:15 PM | Three Towns Over
Lin leaned against the Chevy's doorframe, watching as Richard carefully secured the vintage truck onto the flatbed tow truck. The hydraulics groaned slightly before settling into place.
Greg, the lot owner, wiped sweat off his forehead, looking between the loaded tow truck and Lin's still-empty flatbed.
"You sure you don't want anything else?" he asked, half-joking. "Feels wrong letting you leave with an empty truck bed."
Lin smirked. "That's actually why I wanted to talk."
Greg raised an eyebrow."Oh?"
Lin crossed her arms, glancing back toward the lot."You got tools?"
Greg snorted."Lady, I've got more tools than I got cars."
"Good," Lin said smoothly. "I need quality, not junk. My dad's setting up a shop, and he's picky."
Richard, who was double-checking the tow truck straps, scoffed."Picky? I just don't like wasting money on garbage."
Greg chuckled. "Smart man." He motioned for them to follow him toward one of the storage sheds in the back. "Come on. I'll show you what I got."
| October 2, 2023 – 5:30 PM | Greg's Storage Shed
The inside of the shed smelled like motor oil, dust, and metal. Rows of shelves held everything from well-used socket wrenches to boxed power tools still in plastic wrap.
Greg pulled open a rusted toolbox, revealing a neatly organized set of wrenches."Snap-on set, barely used. Good stuff."
Richard picked up one, turning it in his hand, checking the weight.
Lin watched, waiting for his verdict.
After a moment, Richard grunted. "Solid. What else?"
Greg grinned. "Got a full hydraulic jack set, some industrial-grade compressors, and a welder. Been sitting here collecting dust—guy who sold 'em to me left town and never came back for 'em."
Lin arched a brow."And you're just now trying to offload them?"
Greg shrugged. "Didn't have the right buyer till now."
Lin smirked. "Convenient."
Greg chuckled. "Ain't it?"
Richard examined the air compressor, checking the condition."This one's worth something."
Lin tilted her head. "How much for everything?"
Greg scratched his chin. "Full toolset, jack set, compressors, welder… I'll say six grand."
Lin gave him a look."Four."
Greg laughed outright."Lady, I already cut you a deal on the truck and Chevy. Five-five."
Lin tapped the metal workbench, pretending to consider. "Four-five. Cash."
Greg sighed dramatically."You're a menace."
Lin grinned. "A rich menace."
Greg shook his head, but she could see the amusement in his eyes. "Fine. Four-five. But only 'cause I like you."
Richard chuckled. "I told you she's dangerous."
Lin smirked, pulling out her phone to transfer the money.
Another solid investment.
By the time they loaded up the tools onto the flatbed, Lin glanced at the sky—getting darker now.
Time to head home.
| October 2, 2023 – 7:00 PM | Gas Station Outside Maep's
Lin pulled into the only gas station on the highway before Maep's, the overhead lights buzzing softly in the evening air.
She stepped out of her truck, swiping her card at the pump, watching as the numbers climbed while the tank filled.
The drive back had been smooth, her truck now fully loaded with tools, while Richard was a few miles ahead, hauling the tow truck and the vintage Chevy.
She rolled her shoulders, about to lean back against the truck, when her eyes caught something through the diner window across the lot.
Eric Porter.
And across from him? A woman.
Lin's eyebrow arched slightly.
A date?
Eric looked relaxed, leaning back in the booth, wearing something a little more casual than his deputy uniform. The woman, brunette, well-dressed, and smiling too much, was clearly enjoying his company.
Interesting.
Lin leaned against her truck, tilting her head slightly as she watched.
Eric, as if sensing it, suddenly looked up.
Their eyes met through the window.
For a brief second, his brows lifted in mild surprise. Then, his lips curved into a slow smirk.
Lin, completely unbothered, smirked right back.
Then, she casually turned away, like she hadn't just been caught watching, and focused on finishing her gas fill-up.
She heard a distant chuckle through the glass.
Small town.
Too small.
| October 2, 2023 – 8:15 PM | Lin's Farm
Lin barely pulled into the driveway before she realized something was off.
The entire property was alive with activity. Trucks parked in haphazard rows, construction lights flooding the hotel's exterior like a crime scene, and men working at a pace that screamed 'deadline panic.'
Lin stepped out of the truck, closing the door with a little more force than necessary.
"Hey!" she called toward the nearest worker hauling lumber. "Did I miss a memo, or are we suddenly running a 24-hour operation?"
The guy—a younger one from Ethan's crew—paused, rubbing the back of his neck."Uh. Yeah, about that…"
Before he could finish, Ethan himself appeared, clipboard in hand, looking way too pleased with himself.
Lin crossed her arms."Explain."
Ethan smirked. "Change of plans. We're finishing early."
Lin narrowed her eyes. "How early?"
Ethan checked his watch."Two days."
Lin blinked."Excuse me?"
Ethan grinned. "What, you're not happy? Thought you'd like efficiency."
Lin exhaled sharply. "Ethan. Two days ago, you said we'd be working for at least another two weeks."
One of his foremen—a guy with sawdust in his hair and a look that said he hadn't slept—grumbled."Yeah, well, that was before some big shot hired Ethan for another job. Now we're running on caffeine and spite."
Lin turned back to Ethan, voice dry."You got a better offer, didn't you?"
Ethan chuckled, unapologetic."A man's gotta make a living."
Lin pinched the bridge of her nose."So now I have an army of sleep-deprived men trying to build my fortress overnight?"
"Hey, no corners are being cut," Ethan assured. "You'll still get everything exactly as you wanted—just faster."
Lin sighed, glancing at the hotel, where men were sanding, wiring, and hammering at a speed that should be illegal.
She turned back to Ethan. "If one thing is off, I'm billing you for it."
Ethan grinned. "Wouldn't expect anything less."
Lin exhaled.
Fine.
If they were finishing early, at least she wouldn't have to deal with construction for much longer.
But now?
She had to figure out how to work around a bunch of overworked builders who were about to run on fumes.