The spreader's safety sling drew tight enough to lift its hook against the rail. Inside the chest, the contracting fibers pulled the tool sideways. The Wallbiter's left shoulder rolled a few inches across the timber crib, changing the angle of the chain above it.
Caleb kept his hands on his side of the railing. "That shoulder's following the jaws."
Vance called up to Boz. The secondary winch took the rising load before the primary chain could drag across its guide. Wood cracked beneath the carcass, and Miller moved the pump trolley out from under the forelimb.
Sully waited beside the ground restraint with its chain hanging slack. Boz lifted the limb enough to unload it, giving him room to check the hook. Sully seated it in the anchor pad beside the grate and closed the keeper with both hands.
He raised his glove. Boz lowered the limb slowly until the restraint took tension. The hook stayed flat in its seat, and the damaged concrete wall remained clear of the load.
