The inspection.

He watched the latch slip, then went downstairs for a different part.

I’d prepared an explanation. He apparently didn’t need it.

When he came back, he held a replacement against the old plate. The spring in the old one had worn through. He showed me where. It was a small, specific failure. I’d been expecting a discussion about whether the wind counted as normal use.

He asked whether anyone had been locked out. I said no. Then I mentioned yesterday’s search and the open roof door. He looked at the gap under the heater and said it was a good place to get out of the wind.

He put the replacement back in his bag. Installation needed approval, but he could send the estimate that afternoon.

On the way down, he asked me to keep the landing clear when he returned. I moved the bucket.