It was the difference between grinding forward and breathing room. It was Emma's college fund, a better shop, a house he actually owned. "I'll think about it. " he said. "Mr. Bennett, I want to be direct with you.
My client's interest in this vehicle is You said you'd be direct. Be direct. Who's your client? I'm not able to say. Then you're not being direct.
You're being strategic. " Cole paused. "I said I'll think about it. I'll have an answer for you in 72 hours. " He hung up. He sat on the shop stool for 60 seconds without moving, looking at the floor. Then he called Victoria.
She picked up on the second ring. He told her about the call. He told her about the number, the 120,000, and he waited for her response. "Don't call back. " she said immediately. "I wasn't planning to. " "That offer is at least 10 times what that car would be worth to a private buyer who didn't know what it was.
They know exactly what it is. They want it gone. Marsh or the corporation that pushed Marsh out and doesn't want this surfacing. Either way her voice was tight and fast. Cole, listen to me.
This means the car's significance is known to at least one other party. The window for completing documentation quietly just closed. Cole looked around his shop. The photographs pinned to the walls, the chassis on its stand, the documentation spread across two benches. Everything open, nothing secured.
"I need to move the documentation. " he said, already thinking the same thing. "I can have copies secured offsite today. Send me everything digital. So, all 400 photographs, your written notes, everything. " "And the car? " "The car stays with you for now. Moving it will draw attention. " A pause.
"But Cole lock the shop. Seriously. Change the combination if you have a keypad. Tell no one else what you have. " Cole looked at the rolled up door open to the morning visible from the access road. He got up and lowered it.