Breaking the ice
Through the high magnification macro lens, Ethan zoomed in on the left skate's holder.
He blinked. He adjusted the manual focus, leaning in closer. The high resolution digital sensor on his camera captured a tiny, unnatural gap where the steel blade met the composite plastic of the chassis. A silver glint of a stripped micro screw was barely visible, stripped in a way that no standard wear and tear could explain.
"Adrian, wait," Ethan said, his voice cutting through the locker room noise. He stepped forward, dropping to one knee right in front of Adrian's bench.
"What's wrong?" Adrian asked, his hands pausing on his laces.