They Sold a Boy 180 “Dead” Starters for $65 — Then the Dealership Called Him Back
Chapter 7
Caleb went anyway.
Not because he ignored his mother’s warning.
Because he knew she was right.
He needed someone he trusted.
Mr. Alvarez drove him to the dealership.
Frank met them in the service bay.
Richard Sloan was waiting.
So was a woman Caleb had never seen.
She introduced herself as Evelyn Price, an attorney representing Lakeview Motors.
“We need the module.”
Caleb folded his arms.
“Why?”
“Because it contains confidential information.”
“No.”
Evelyn frowned.
“You’re a minor.”
“My mother is my legal guardian.”
“Then we’ll speak with her.”
“You can.”
She looked annoyed.
Richard stepped in.
“Caleb, we’re trying to protect you.”
“From what?”
He didn’t answer.
Frank looked toward him.
“Richard.”
Richard shook his head.
“This isn’t the place.”
Caleb smiled.
“Then where?”
Richard looked around.
“Conference room.”
They moved upstairs.
Evelyn closed the door.
She placed a folder on the table.
Inside were documents.
Insurance claims.
Accident reports.
Vehicle ownership records.
And one photograph.
Daniel Walker.
Caleb stared.
“Where did you get this?”
“Your father was investigated.”
“For what?”
“Fraud.”
Caleb looked up.
“My father didn’t commit fraud.”
Evelyn nodded.
“We know.”
“Then why show me?”
“Because someone wanted him blamed.”
She opened another file.
A series of financial transfers.
Payments from Northstar Risk Management.
Payments to a company connected to Walker Industrial.
Payments made shortly before Daniel disappeared.
Caleb’s hands shook.
“Who received the money?”
Evelyn pointed.
“Robert Hayes.”
The dead technician.
“And?”
“Richard Sloan.”
Caleb looked at Richard.
He didn’t deny it.
“Why?”
Richard finally spoke.
“Because I was trying to help your father.”
Caleb laughed bitterly.
“By taking money?”
“I was paid to move information.”
“What information?”
“Vehicle diagnostics.”
“To whom?”
Richard looked at Evelyn.
She answered.
“An insurance fraud network.”
Caleb stared.
“So you were involved.”
“Yes.”
“But my father found out.”
“Yes.”
“And Robert tried to expose it.”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
Richard lowered his eyes.
“I don’t know.”
Caleb stood.
“You’re lying.”
Richard didn’t respond.
Then Frank spoke.
“Richard didn’t kill Robert.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I did.”
Silence.
Caleb turned.
“What?”
Frank’s face collapsed.
“I killed him.”
“No.”
“I didn’t shoot him.”
“Then what?”
“I was driving the second car.”
Caleb stared.
Frank explained.
“I was supposed to scare Robert.”
“Why?”
“Because he had the R.A.W. data.”
“You chased him.”
“Yes.”
“He crashed.”
Frank closed his eyes.
“I didn’t mean for him to die.”
Caleb stepped backward.
“Why did you hide this?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of who?”
Frank whispered:
“Your father.”
Caleb stared.
“My father?”
“Daniel knew everything.”
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then why are you afraid?”
Frank looked toward the window.
“Because he’s been watching.”
Caleb’s heart raced.
“What?”
Frank pointed outside.
Across the parking lot was a gray sedan.
Someone sat inside.
Caleb recognized the silhouette.
He ran downstairs.
The sedan drove away.
Caleb chased it into the parking lot.
He couldn’t see the plate.
But he saw the driver.
An older man.
Gray hair.
Thin face.
The car disappeared onto the street.
Caleb stood frozen.
He didn’t know if it was his father.
But when he returned upstairs, the R.A.W. module was gone.
Someone had stolen it.
Evelyn looked at him.
“Who took it?”
Caleb stared at Richard.
Richard looked terrified.
“I didn’t.”
Then Frank whispered:
“He’s here.”
“Who?”
Frank looked toward the window.
“Daniel.”
