“Do you smell that?” Maria caught it next: faint, chemical, metallic, wrong. Keenan stiffened. “Gas.” He didn’t hesitate. “We need the utility emergency team. Now.” The gas specialists arrived within minutes: white trucks, heavy boots, no wasted movement.
Dr. Felicia Navarro stepped out first. “Show me the site,” she said. Maria led her to the corner. Navarro crouched, placed a hand to the ground, and froze. “That is a high-pressure line,” she said quietly. “And it’s not supposed to be vibrating like that.”