“Partly,” Halpern replied. “But mostly? It was gas buildup from decomposition inside that sealed room. Moisture, stagnant air, biological byproduct. The fungi were feeding off it all — and expanding.” Daniel rubbed his palms over his jeans, his voice unsteady. “If we hadn’t opened that wall…” “You’d have had a real hazard on your hands,” Brooks finished.
“Structural collapse. Respiratory illness. Or the pressure behind that door eventually forcing its way out on its own.” A chill crawled across Megan’s shoulders. Halpern glanced between them, expression softening. “You found this early. Very early. Most people would’ve ignored the smell until it was too late.” An agent approached with a sealed evidence bag.