He remembered the look on Frank's face when Victor ordered him out, and the fact that he himself had remained at the door because he was afraid of losing his job. "I knew him," Walt said, his voice suddenly rough.
"And I remember that day. I'll go get Mr. Sterling myself."
Maria watched him hurry through the rear corridor before turning back to Daniel. "Sir, I'm sorry about all this," she whispered.
"They aren't all like this, I promise." Daniel looked at her and found no calculation in her expression, only concern.
"You don't have to apologize for them. You're the only person here who treated me like a person."
"My mother always said kindness costs nothing," Maria answered. "Today it might cost me my job, though."
Daniel studied the faded stitching on the cuff of her blazer. "How long have you worked here?"
"Six months," she said.
"I'm a single mother. This job pays for my daughter's school supplies and keeps our apartment running. My little girl is eight."
"What's her name?" he asked. "Sophie," Maria said, a smile appearing despite everything.
"She loves animals so much that I find drawings of dogs and cats in every pocket of her backpack." Daniel smiled too.
"I hope the people who employ you understand what kind of person they have at this desk." Maria glanced toward Vanessa. "I hope so too."
Tyler leaned against the sales counter. "Aw, the handyman made a friend. Maria, you're sweet, but you're a receptionist, not a social worker."
She looked up at him, and for a second Daniel could see the fear of losing her job competing with the anger she had been swallowing all afternoon. "And you're a salesman who forgot how to be a decent human being," she said.
The showroom grew quiet enough for Brent's recording to capture the exchange. Vanessa stepped toward Maria with her chin raised.
"Careful, sweetheart. You're skating on thin ice."
Before Maria could answer, a deep voice came from the hallway. "What is all this noise in my showroom?"
Victor Sterling entered with Walt two paces behind him. At sixty-two, Victor was broader through the middle than he had been a quarter century earlier, but the underlying manner was unchanged. He wore a dark suit tailored closely across the shoulders, a gold watch, and a wedding ring heavy enough to catch the chandelier light. He surveyed the gathering with annoyance rather than concern, his gaze passing over Daniel as though the man were an object someone had left in the wrong part of the room.
"Victor, your staff have been entertaining me," Brent said brightly, still holding his phone. "This guy says he's here to buy the Meridian." Victor gave Daniel a brief, incredulous look.
"This man? Tyler, why is he still standing on my floor?" Daniel stepped forward without raising his voice.
"Mr. Sterling, my name is Daniel Brooks. I'd like to purchase the black Meridian coupe today."
Victor's eyes dropped to the worn jacket.
"Son, I run a luxury dealership, not a thrift store. Please leave before I call security." Daniel glanced toward Walt.