A rich dinosaur. Audrey smiled. It was a genuine, unguarded smile that entirely changed the geometry of her face. Martha insisted on the color. She says, "Hello, by the way.
She's resting at home. We adjusted her medication. The fog is lifting. " "Glad to hear it," Dean said. His voice was flat. "Now, why are you really here, Audrey?
I'm busy," Audrey looked at the packing boxes. "So, I see. " She walked over to the office window and read the foreclosure notice. She traced the edge of the orange paper with a gloved finger. $4,000 in a rears, Audrey said quietly. Plus 60,000 left on the principal. Dean felt a hot flash of pure rage.
It started in his gut and shot straight to his teeth. He crossed the floor in three long strides. Don't, Dean snapped, his voice vibrating with anger. Do not come into my house and read my debts out loud. You got your mom back.
We're square now. Get out. Audrey didn't back away. She turned to face him, her blue eyes locking on to his. I investigated you, she said bluntly.
After we left, I had my security team run a background check. I pulled your financials. You did what? I had to know who had my mother for three days. She fired back, her own temper flaring.
I live in a world where everyone wants something. People sue me because they spill water on themselves in my corporate lobby. A mechanic finds my mother, a woman worth a billion dollars and doesn't ask for a dime. I didn't believe it. I thought it was a long con.
Dean let out a harsh, bitter laugh. Right. Because nobody just does the right thing anymore. Everything's an angle. Exactly, Audrey said, stepping closer.
The air between them hummed with tension. But there was no angle. I saw your bank statements, Dean. I saw the $24 in your checking account. I saw the final notices.
I saw that you bought groceries for my mother the same day you skipped a payment on your own electricity. She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a thick manila envelope. She slapped it down on the metal workbench. The sound cracked like a gunshot in the empty garage. I also saw that you are an ASE certified master technician who hasn't had a single customer complaint in 6 years.
Audrey continued, her voice dropping into a relentless professional cadence. You don't upcharge, you don't lie, you do good work, and you charge too little for it, Dean stared at the envelope. What is that? I bought the debt, Audrey said. Dean froze.