The glass doors still bore the old vinyl lettering.

Two workmen in gray uniforms were using metal scrapers to peel the letters away.

The letters *B-E-N-N-E-T-T* fell to the carpet in curled, sticky strips.

The new sign lay on a wooden crate nearby, waiting to be mounted.

It was made of brushed steel.

It read: *Bennett Structural Engineering.*

“It has a clean look to it,” Julian said, walking out of the inner office.

“It represents a fresh start,” I said. “For the staff and for the projects.”

We walked through the open-plan office space.

Most of the junior draftsmen and engineers had remained on the payroll under the transition agreement.

They looked up from their computer monitors as we passed, some nodding in greeting.

There was no tension in the air, only the quiet hum of work being done.

“The foundation approved the first phase of the riverfront plaza design,” Margaret said, joining us from the conference room.

She handed me a signed contract.

“We begin soil testing next Monday,” I said.

“I have already scheduled the drilling rigs,” Julian added.