They Sold a Boy 180 “Dead” Starters for $65 — Then the Dealership Called Him Back
Chapter 8
The gray sedan was found abandoned two miles from the dealership.
Inside was an envelope.
Caleb’s name was written on it.
He opened it with shaking hands.
A single photograph fell out.
A little boy standing beside an older man.
Caleb recognized himself.
He was six years old.
The man beside him was his father.
On the back were four words:
I’m sorry, son.
Caleb stared at the photograph.
His mother had never shown him that picture.
Someone had taken it recently.
The ink was fresh.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
“Hello?”
A man’s voice answered.
“Caleb.”
He froze.
“Who is this?”
“You already know.”
Caleb’s heart pounded.
“Dad?”
Silence.
Then:
“Don’t trust the dealership.”
“Where are you?”
“Not far.”
“Why did you leave?”
“Because I thought disappearing would protect you.”
“It didn’t.”
“I know.”
“Are you alive?”
“Yes.”
Caleb closed his eyes.
For years, he had imagined this moment.
He had imagined anger.
Questions.
Maybe tears.
Instead, all he could say was:
“Why didn’t you come home?”
His father’s voice broke.
“Because I couldn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because they were watching your mother.”
“Who?”
“Northstar.”
Caleb looked toward Mr. Alvarez.
“Are they still watching?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because R.A.W. contains proof.”
“Proof of what?”
“How they manipulated vehicle data to create fraudulent accidents.”
Caleb remembered Robert’s recording.
“Was Robert murdered?”
“No.”
“Then what happened?”
“I was too late.”
Caleb swallowed.
“Who caused the accident?”
“Frank.”
Caleb closed his eyes.
“He admitted it.”
“He was trying to scare Robert.”
“Why?”
“Because Richard ordered him.”
Caleb stared.
“Richard?”
“Yes.”
“Why did he work with Northstar?”
“Money.”
“How much?”
“Enough to destroy lives.”
His father’s voice became quieter.
“I need you to do something.”
“What?”
“Find the original R.A.W. server.”
“Where?”
“Under Lakeview Motors.”
Caleb froze.
“What?”
“The dealership was built over an old fleet-testing facility.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s where the data was stored.”
“How do I get there?”
“There’s a service tunnel behind the old alignment bay.”
“Are you telling me to break into the dealership?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“Get the police.”
Caleb frowned.
“Why not you?”
“Because I’m being followed.”
“Where are you?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“You’re my father.”
“I know.”
“I want to see you.”
“I want to see you too.”
“Then come home.”
Silence.
“I will.”
“When?”
“When this is over.”
The call ended.
Caleb looked at Mr. Alvarez.
“My father is alive.”
The old mechanic nodded.
“I heard.”
“He says there’s a server beneath the dealership.”
Frank overheard.
“He’s right.”
Caleb turned.
Frank looked exhausted.
“I knew about the facility.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I was scared.”
“You’re always scared.”
Frank nodded.
“Fear ruins good men.”
Caleb looked at the service map.
“How do we get inside?”
Richard spoke from behind them.
“You don’t.”
Everyone turned.
He was holding a gun.
The room went silent.
Richard’s hand shook.
“I’m sorry.”
Caleb stared.
“You killed nobody.”
“I didn’t want this.”
“Then put the gun down.”
Richard shook his head.
“They’ll kill my family.”
“Who?”
“Northstar.”
Caleb stepped forward.
“Help us.”
Richard looked at him.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain.”
Richard’s eyes filled with tears.
“They have my wife.”
Caleb froze.
“They took her yesterday.”
“Why didn’t you call the police?”
“Because they said they’d send me her fingers.”
Silence.
Richard lowered the gun.
“I’ll take you to the server.”
Caleb nodded.
“But I want something.”
“What?”
“When this is over, you protect my family.”
Caleb looked at Evelyn.
Then Frank.
Then Mr. Alvarez.
“I’ll help.”
Richard nodded.
He placed the gun on the table.
“Then let’s finish this.”
