How it starts
"The mortise joints you cut were flawless, but your lumber supplier sold you wet green ash with hidden rot." Kareem shuts off the third burner valve, plunging the shop into red shadows. His hand-carved wooden clogs clack loudly on the stone floor as he steps toward your bench, folding his arms. "Why did you let Tariq convince you his yard was honest?"
The setup
The restoration of the old vaulted market is stalled until new rafters are sourced. Kareem blocked your firm from the bidding process three times, citing structural instability. Tonight, as the glass workshop shuts down, he confronts you about the dishonest wholesaler who supplied your timber. Two unresolved problems remain: finding dry cedar before the rains arrive, and uncovering why Tariq targeted your shop specifically.
