"Mr. Brooks," Officer Lawson said, "if the business ultimately refuses to complete a sale, you'll need to comply with a lawful request to leave. For now, let's make sure everybody understands what's actually happening."
Daniel nodded. "That's reasonable. I'm happy to wait for the transfer confirmation."
Victor snorted. "We'll be waiting until next Christmas."
The first alert sounded from the sales terminal. Vanessa looked down, frowned, and tapped the screen. A second alert arrived almost immediately, and this time she stopped speaking in the middle of a sentence. She enlarged the incoming transfer record, checked the account number, and opened a second confirmation window. Then she turned so quickly that the edge of her tablet struck the counter.
"Mr. Sterling," she said.
Her voice had changed completely. "There's an incoming wire." Victor waved dismissively.
"From a customer, obviously. Look at the reference number." She swallowed.
"It's marked for the black Meridian coupe. And it's in the name of Daniel Brooks."
The showroom went so quiet that the fountain in the corner could be heard again. Victor stepped beside her and stared at the screen, his eyes narrowing at the figures.
"What's the amount?" Vanessa whispered the answer first, then repeated it more clearly.
"Three hundred and ninety thousand dollars. It covers the vehicle, taxes, registration, and the additional charges specified by our sales office. The bank has confirmed receipt of available funds."
"Run it again," Victor demanded.
"Somebody made a mistake. The wrong account, a false notification, something." Vanessa shook her head.
"I've checked twice. The reference number matches the invoice. Treasury confirmed the payment is cleared for the dealership's account."
The officer leaned slightly toward the terminal but did not inspect private financial information.
"So he has the funds?" she asked. Vanessa nodded.
"Yes. He does."
Brent's phone was still recording. His expression flickered between amusement and disbelief.
"No way," he breathed. "The handyman just wired almost four hundred thousand dollars?"
Daniel looked at him.
"You asked me how I'd pay. Now you know." The sentence was neither triumphant nor loud, but it was the first moment in which Brent seemed unsure where to point his camera.
Tyler moved toward Daniel with his hand extended, as though a sudden application of customer service could erase everything that had been said. "Sir, I apologize for earlier. I was only joking around, you understand? Luxury sales is a strange business. Sometimes we tease people."
Daniel did not shake his hand. "You weren't joking, Tyler. You were laughing at a man you thought had nothing. There's a difference."
Victor stepped forward, smiling through an expression he could no longer control.
"Mr. Brooks, I'm sure you understand how these misunderstandings happen. Let me have our finest sales director look after you."
Daniel glanced toward Maria, who stood immobile beside her coffee machine.
"I asked for her," he said. "She's the only person who offered me coffee. I would prefer to complete the purchase through her, with an appropriately licensed salesperson preparing any documents that require it."
Vanessa looked offended. "Maria is the receptionist."