They Sold a Boy 180 “Dead” Starters for $65 — Then the Dealership Called Him Back
Chapter 3
Caleb did exactly what Frank told him.
He didn’t touch it.
He didn’t rebuild it.
He didn’t list it online.
He placed it on the workbench and covered it with a clean cloth.
But telling a seventeen-year-old mechanic not to touch something mysterious was like telling a cat not to chase a moving string.
He wanted answers.
His mother wanted him to leave it alone.
“Frank said don’t touch it.”
“I’m not touching it.”
“You’re staring at it.”
“I’m allowed to stare.”
She shook her head.
“You have homework.”
“I finished it.”
“Then go to bed.”
“I’ll sleep later.”
“Caleb.”
He looked at her.
She softened.
“Whatever this is, let the dealership handle it.”
Caleb nodded.
“Okay.”
The next morning, Frank called again.
“Bring it in.”
Caleb loaded the starter into a cardboard box.
At Lakeview Motors, Frank met him in the service department.
The dealership was busy.
Mechanics moved between lifts.
Customers waited near the service counter.
Phones rang constantly.
But Frank looked serious.
“Where is it?”
Caleb handed him the box.
Frank opened it.
The color drained from his face.
“Where did you find this?”
“In the pile.”
“Exactly where?”
“Second box. Under three starters.”
Frank looked toward the service bay.
“Stay here.”
He disappeared through a door.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Finally, a man in a navy polo walked over.
He was in his forties.
Clean-cut.
Expensive watch.
He introduced himself as Richard Sloan, the dealership’s general manager.
“You bought the salvage inventory.”
“Yes.”
Richard looked at the starter.
“You understand why we’re interested in this?”
“No.”
“That unit came from a vehicle that was part of a legal dispute.”
Caleb frowned.
“What kind?”
“Insurance.”
“What happened to the car?”
Richard hesitated.
“It was destroyed.”
“Then why does the starter matter?”
Richard glanced at Frank.
Frank answered.
“Because the vehicle was involved in a serious accident.”
Caleb looked at the starter.
“Was the starter damaged?”
“No.”
“Then?”
Richard sighed.
“The insurance company declared the vehicle totaled.”
“So?”
“The vehicle disappeared from the records.”
Caleb frowned.
“How does a whole car disappear?”
“Paperwork.”
“That sounds illegal.”
Richard looked uncomfortable.
“It may have been.”
Caleb waited.
“Why was the starter removed?”
Richard didn’t answer.
Frank did.
“The car was brought here for evaluation.”
“By who?”
“A customer.”
“Name?”
Frank looked at Richard.
Richard said:
“That’s confidential.”
Caleb understood.
They weren’t telling him.
He stepped back.
“Then why do you need the starter?”
Richard lowered his voice.
“Because someone has reopened the case.”
Caleb looked at the part.
“Six years later?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
Richard’s face tightened.
“The dealership’s attorney.”
Caleb nodded slowly.
“So you want the starter for evidence.”
“Possibly.”
Caleb crossed his arms.
“Then why would I give it back for free?”
Richard stared.
Frank almost smiled.
The teenager had negotiation instincts.
“We’re willing to reimburse you.”
“How much?”
Richard thought.
“Five hundred dollars.”
Caleb shook his head.
“No.”
Richard blinked.
“Why?”
“Because you haven’t told me what it’s worth.”
“It’s a starter.”
“No.”
Caleb pointed at the part.
“This is evidence.”
Richard’s expression changed.
“You’re a minor.”
“I’m also the owner.”
Frank coughed to hide a laugh.
Richard looked irritated.
“How much?”
“Two thousand.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then I’ll keep it.”
Richard stared at him.
Frank finally stepped in.
“Caleb.”
“What?”
“Let’s be reasonable.”
“I am.”
Richard sighed.
“One thousand.”
Caleb shook his head.
“Two.”
“One thousand two hundred.”
“One thousand five.”
Richard paused.
“Done.”
Caleb nodded.
But before Richard could reach for the starter, Caleb asked:
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“Why did Frank tell me not to touch it?”
Silence.
Frank looked down.
Richard answered:
“Because there may be something inside it.”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed.
“Inside?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“We don’t know.”
Caleb picked up the box.
“Then I’m not selling it.”
Richard stared.
“You just agreed.”
“I agreed to sell the starter.”
He looked at Frank.
“Not whatever is inside it.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
“Caleb.”
“I’m curious.”
“Don’t be.”
Caleb smiled.
“That’s difficult.”
He took the box.
Richard watched him leave.
Outside, Caleb called Mr. Alvarez.
“Can you X-ray a starter?”
There was a pause.
“Why?”
“I think someone hid something inside one.”
Mr. Alvarez laughed.
“Now you’ve got my attention.”
