Page 43 of Silent Neighbor

"The doctors say it's progressing slowly," Robert continued, a hint of his old determination shining through. "I'm on medication, doing physical therapy. But climbing... that's over for me. This job," he gestured at the assembly line, "it's mind-numbing, but it's what I can manage now."

Sheila nodded, feeling a newfound respect for him. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Crane. We'll get out of your hair."

As they prepared to leave, Robert spoke up again, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "You know, if you're looking to talk with members of Extreme Limits, you should try the newbies."

"The newbies?" Finn asked.

"It's mostly a tight-knit community, but recently a few newcomers joined up. I can vouch for the others—they're good people, upstanding citizens. But the new members…" He shrugged. "There's no telling what they're capable of."

Sheila was about to respond when her phone rang, the shrill tone cutting through the factory noise. She stepped away, pressing one finger to her ear to hear better. As she listened, her face paled, the blood draining from her features.

"What is it?" Finn asked as she hung up, noticing the change in her demeanor.

Sheila's voice was grim as she replied, her words seeming to echo in the suddenly quiet space around them. "Another climber has been found dead. Ellen Reeves. Her body was discovered less than an hour ago."

---