Money usually complicated people around her. With Desmond, it seemed to clarify him. He knew exactly what it could buy, and he also knew what it could not replace. Within 15 minutes, Desmond had isolated the affected load and confirmed the remaining circuits were stable. He started packing his tools when something on the installation sheet clipped beside the panel caught his attention.
The name near the bottom read Matteo Cruz. Desmond stopped. Matteo was a young apprentice who had been with the company less than a year, eager enough to arrive early and inexperienced enough to apologize even when nothing was his fault. Desmond checked the circuit number beside Matteo's name, then compared it with the drawing. Victor, something in his tone made Victor step closer.
Desmond tapped the sheet. Who gave him this revision? Victor looked at the drawing. That should be the current set. It isn't.
Desmond opened the project folder and checked the title block. Revision 8. He pulled out his phone, opened the company portal, and found the project record. Revision 9 had been issued 3 days earlier. The updated drawing moved the new equipment onto another circuit.
Desmond looked at the printed field set again. Revision 8 was still in the room. Victor swore quietly. Matteo installed from the wrong drawing. Desmond shook his head.
He installed from the drawing he was given. Victor's expression tightened. The incident report is already being drafted. Whose name is on it? Victor did not answer quickly enough.
Desmond checked the time. If he left immediately, he might still reach the school before Tessa's final run. His phone showed another message from her. They were setting up now. Victor seemed to read the calculation on his face.
Go. I'll sort the paperwork in the morning. Desmond looked at Matteo's name again. The young man was not his responsibility. Tessa was.
That should have made the decision simple. Yet Desmond knew what happened when a mistake entered an employee record. Even when corrected later, the first version had a way of following someone. Matteo was young. One careless line could become the thing a supervisor remembered 6 months later when promotions assignments or layoffs came up.
Desmond closed the folder, then opened it again. Get me the incident report. Victor exhaled. Desmond, just get it. Matteo arrived several minutes later, wearing his temporary site badge and looking worried.