Brent recovered fast. I'll give him that.

“Mr. Callahan,” he said, with a big laugh that sounded like a car not starting. “I'm so sorry. I was joking on Saturday! Just a bit of fun. We have a lot of people come in off the street, you know, just to cool off, and—”

“And you send them to the used lot on Van Buren.”

“Well—”

“And you tell security to keep an eye on them.”

Brent stopped laughing.

I turned to the gray-haired security guard by the door.

“Morning, Ray.”

“Morning, Mr. Callahan,” said Ray. He was trying very hard not to smile.

“Did Brent ask you to keep an eye on me on Saturday?”

Ray looked at Phil Harmon. Then he stood up a little straighter.

“Yes, sir. He did. Said to make sure you didn't touch anything.”

Phil Harmon closed his eyes for a second.

“Mr. Callahan,” he said. “Please. Let's go to my office. Let's talk about this properly. I'll personally make sure you get the best deal in the state. An extra discount. Free servicing for five years. Whatever you need.”

“I'd rather talk here, Phil,” I said. “In the showroom. Where everybody can see.”