“Theodore Sterling.”
Ryder’s stomach tightened.
Of course.
He wiped his hands on a rag.
“I figured.”
“From the name?”
“From the face.”
Theodore nodded.
“My daughter was here Tuesday.”
“I remember.”
“I imagine you do.”
Ryder waited.
Theodore looked toward the car on the lift.
“You working?”
“Yes.”
“How much time can I borrow?”
“That depends on what this is.”
Theodore smiled faintly.
“Fair.”
Ryder gestured toward two metal chairs.
“They’re not comfortable.”
“I’ve survived worse.”
They sat.
Ryder remained slightly forward in his chair.
The posture of someone who expected the conversation might require standing quickly.
Theodore noticed.
“I’m not here to threaten you.”
“Good.”
“You believed I might?”
“I didn’t know.”
“Victoria told me what happened.”
Ryder looked toward the shop floor.
“I’m not discussing your daughter behind her back.”
Theodore’s eyebrows rose.
“That’s an interesting answer.”
“It’s the one I’ve got.”
“I’m not asking you to insult her.”
“Good.”
“I want facts.”
Ryder studied him.
“Why?”
“Because I heard hers.”
There was something fair enough about that.
Ryder nodded.
Then told him.
Vehicle arrived.
Noise.
Inspection.
Brake hose.
Heat shield.
Quote.
Repair.
Invoice.
Argument.
Departure.
No editorializing.
No imitation of Victoria’s voice.
No claim she was spoiled.
No effort to make himself look noble.
Theodore interrupted only twice.
“You quoted one ninety-nine before beginning?”
“Yes.”
“Clearly?”
“Yes.”
“Did she say no?”
“No.”
“Did she ask you not to perform the work?”
“No.”
Later:
“You filled the tire?”
“Front left was six pounds low.”
“You charge?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Took thirty seconds.”
Theodore nodded.
When Ryder finished, the older man was silent.
Finally, Theodore said, “I made inquiries about you.”
Ryder’s expression hardened.
“What kind?”
“Community.”
“That sounds invasive.”
“It was.”
Ryder appreciated the honesty even while disliking the act.
“Why?”
“Because your behavior interested me.”
“My behavior.”
“My daughter insulted you publicly and drove away owing you money.”
Theodore folded his hands.
“You could have embarrassed her.”
“I didn’t know anything about her.”
“You knew her name.”
“I knew the name.”
“Enough to cause inconvenience.”
“I run a garage.”
Ryder gave him a tired look.
“I don’t run campaigns.”
Theodore almost smiled.
“You could have sued.”
“For one ninety-nine?”
“You could have sent collections.”
“Maybe.”
“You could have posted the security footage.”
Ryder looked toward the camera in the corner.