Chapter 13: The Mechanism Inside the Mount — Blackwell Is Half Right

The argument began before the door was fully open.

"You'll destroy the load-bearing context of the assembly," Blackwell said, positioning himself between Solano and the telescope mount with the air of a man defending a document he had not yet finished reading. "The spatial relationship between the housing and the bolt mechanism is evidential. The moment you introduce torque to those fasteners, you compromise the demonstration."

"The demonstration," Solano said, setting her case on the floor with a precision that was itself a form of dismissal, "is not a courtroom exhibit yet. It is currently a theory belonging to you. Physical evidence belongs to no one." She produced a ratchet driver from the upper tray of her kit. "Stand somewhere else, please."