“No,” Leo said, handing her the tablet to sign. “I’m saving your license and someone’s life. Tell the general he can explain this to the state review board.”

As he typed the final violation code, Leo thought of his first P2, ten years ago: a daycare with a cross-connected boiler feed. Kids had gotten sick. He’d sworn then that no shortcut would slip past his flashlight.

She paled. “A subcontractor. Cheap one. The general said he was ‘just as good.’”