Craig kept going.
“Record a little video. Post it online. Cry discrimination. Get famous for fifteen minutes.”
Aaron did not react.
Craig smiled.
“Am I wrong?”
The clock behind reception ticked.
Aaron finally said:
“Yes.”
Craig laughed.
Outside, a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class turned into the parking lot.
Terrence Powell stepped out.
Six foot two.
Charcoal suit.
Black briefcase.
Polished shoes.
The kind of appearance Craig immediately understood as wealth.
Craig saw him through the glass and transformed.
Shoulders straightened.
Smile activated.
He stepped away from the showroom entrance and walked toward the door.
The same path he had blocked Aaron from using was suddenly open.
Terrence entered.
Craig extended a hand.
“Welcome to Summit Air, sir. Craig Whitfield, senior sales consultant.”
Terrence walked straight past him.
Craig’s hand remained suspended.
Terrence stopped beside Aaron.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Recorded?”
Aaron nodded toward the phone.
“Most of it.”
“Good.”
Craig slowly lowered his hand.
“You two know each other?”
Neither answered.
Terrence placed the briefcase on a glass table.
Two locks opened.
The sound cut through the showroom.
He removed a thick folder.
Then another.
He walked to the reception counter and placed the first in front of Craig.
“Open it.”
Craig stared.
“Who are you?”
“Terrence Powell. General counsel for Brooks Agricultural Holdings and personal counsel to Mr. Brooks.”
Craig looked toward Aaron.
For the first time that morning, he really looked.
Not boots.
Not jacket.
Face.
Terrence pushed the folder closer.
“Open it.”
Craig did.
The first page displayed the Brooks Agricultural Holdings profile.
Operations in three states.
Processing assets.
Transportation subsidiary.
Storage network.
Annual revenue.
Corporate banking relationships.
Principal owner:
Aaron James Brooks.
Photograph attached.
Same man.
Craig’s fingers stopped moving.
He turned the page.
Verified banking letter.
Then financial statements.
Then proof of funds sufficient for the contemplated transaction.
Then the letter of intent.
Potential purchase:
Two Gulfstream G280 aircraft.
Estimated aggregate transaction:
Approximately $62 million, subject to configuration, inspection, and final contracting.
Craig reread the figure.
Terrence watched.
“Mr. Brooks submitted an inquiry six days ago.”
Craig said nothing.
“He identified the model.”
Silence.
“Budget.”
Silence.
“Potential quantity.”
Craig swallowed.
“Your company confirmed his appointment.”
Craig’s mouth opened.
Terrence continued:
“He arrived on time.”
The receptionist looked down.
“You kept him waiting while serving clients who arrived later.”
Garrett stepped away from the coffee station.