her boyfriend, was giving her instructions. This was strictly amateur time.
“So, what's Mr. McCarty's offer?”
“He said he'd pay a thousand dollars.”
“I was thinking like ten,” she said nervously.
“Well, Alice. It's one of a kind, which means it is worth something to him but probably nothing at all to anybody else. See, there's only been one owner, and so most collectors don't even know about it, and they would suspect it's a fake and they'd ask Mr. McCarty about it, but if they know about it, they'll know it's hot and know they could never sell it or show it to anybody. But it seems that the man seated beside you for the entire flight told me he saw Mr. McCarty show it to you, then put it back in the briefcase without opening it again. He heard him say he couldn't part with it, but he'd give you one instead. He saw you take it.”
“He didn't see shit because he was gone to…”
“I know. He was down the aisle at the time waiting for a turn in the lavatory.”
Silence.
“Stealing that car, since it is worth more than five hundred, would be grand larceny, a felony. With your record, and since you are an adult now, you could do jail time and we don't want that.”
“She could call the police,” the male voice blurted. She covered the mouthpiece this time for several seconds but not before he heard the male say, “Tell him the old pervert wanted to fuck you.”
Todd smiled. This was entertaining.
“You can call the cops if you want to, and make any accusation against Mr. McCarty you can think of. But extortion is a more serious felony than grand theft, and I have a very credible witness as to everything that went on during the flight. The witness happens to be a retired judge,” he lied. “Someone else saw you take the car while Mr. McCarty was away from his seat. There's more, but you are walking a very tight rope.”
Silence.
“He's a known pervert,” the male voice added. “Just turn on your TV.”
“Shut up!” Alice screeched at the young man.
“Good advice, Earl. You don't want to be involved in anything criminal. I can get you two thousand, Alice. Mr. McCarty is not a pervert. I doubt Earl wants to do time for conspiracy to commit extortion, a serious felony. What do you say, Mr. Tucker?”
“How you know my name?” Earl blurted out.
“I know a lot more about you than your name. This is a serious game you're playing, kids. You both have records. If this doesn't end with me paying you two thousand and getting the car, your grandchildren will be visiting you in jail.”
A long pause.
“You can't threaten us with no criminal charges. You ain't no cop,” Earl said.
Alice said, “Okay. I'll take the two grand.”
“I think that would be the smartest move you two could make. Let's set up a meeting that's convenient for you.”
“And me,” Earl said.
“No, Earl,” Todd said. “Like most things, this is way out of your league. You should just go home and wait until Alice calls you.”
Doubting that Earl was that smart, Todd planned to keep on his toes. Not that Earl was dangerous, but with the terminally stupid you just never knew.
“How about we meet tomorrow night?” Todd asked.
“Somewhere public,” Alice said. “I want to make sure you don't try anything.”
“Like?”
“Like ripping me off.”
“Alice, I wouldn't dream of stealing from you. Concord Mills Mall in the food court. Tomorrow.”
“Okay,” she said. “Tomorrow night. I got classes and other stuff to do in the daytime. Like maybe eight? Bring the money.”
“I will. Bring the car.”
THIRTY-SIX
While Ward watched Natasha dressing from the bed, his cell phone rang. It was his uncle Mark.
“Morning, Unk,” Ward said.
“How are you and Natasha feeling?” Mark asked, his voice rife with concern.
“That would depend on your definition of ‘feel,’ ” Ward replied.
“This is all temporary, kid. I know you were set up and the FBI will figure that out real soon. You gotta keep your chin up. Your father never let the bastards get the better of him, and you're a McCarty.”
“Thanks, Unk. I appreciate your faith in me. I wouldn't have been successful without your support and experience. That's a fact and I hope you know that.”
“Thanks, kid. But I'm just an old car salesman with a great product line.”
“You've always been there for me. I know it and I appreciate it more than I can say.”
“You're gonna make an old man cry. Listen, the other reason I called is that I got a call from Flash Dibble a few minutes ago,” Mark said. “He asked me to tell you he's as interested as ever to buy the company. He says this virus thing is all a load of crap and he knows you aren't responsible and he is sure you'll be cleared. He thinks that once the company changes hands, its reputation can be salvaged. He also told me that the FBI is going to interview him this morning and he's going to tell them it's a bum rap. His words. He and your father go way back. They were never friends, but they had respect for each other. It's Trey that's the douche bag. Flash is just an astute businessman.”
“So how much less you figure we're worth to him now?” Ward asked.
“He didn't say anything about reducing his last offer. We could have Gene feel him out on that. You want, I can talk to Gene.”
“It seems like the timing on this scandal is sort of providential for Dibble, doesn't it? I'll be interested in seeing if his new offer is a bit reduced.”
“Ward, we both know that at the present, our clients are vulnerable to all of our competition. Being our customers is a potential public relations problem for them, too. This is NASCAR, and moral rectitude, even though it's in short supply, is still a big issue with the fans.”
“It's more than a public relations nightmare for me,” Ward said, angrily. “You want vulnerability? How about a few years in federal prison? Or being a registered sex offender for the rest of my life?”
“We all know this is a setup of some sort. Flash is one hardskinned son of a bitch, but if it ends up he had anything to do with this, he'd be destroyed, and the man has hundreds of millions at stake. Even if he wanted to do it to force a sale, I just don't see him risking getting caught doing this.”
“There's Trey,” Ward said. “I think he's capable of doing something like what happened.”
“He's one mean, not-too-bright shit-for- brains. And those are his best points. Still… Ward, I don't think he's behind this.”
“He wants the company as much as, or more than, his father does. If it wasn't for Trey, Flash could certainly have already bought a company like ours for a lot less. If I get locked up, Trey would get some sort of twisted revenge because I said no to him.”
“Ward, this had to have been planned well before you told Trey to his face the deal was dead.” Mark asked, “Way I figure it, what can it hurt to keep the options open?”
“Sure,” Ward said. “Talk to Gene. I'm curious.”
“By the way,” Mark said, “we're open again. The servers are clean, and Gene said the feds have what they need. We gotta start doing some damage control. I'm seeing Lee Blackwelder in Charlotte at two. He's expensive, but public relations disasters are what he does best. I'd be right there with you and Natasha, but I think it's best you stay home for a day or two. You need anything, and I mean anything, you call me first. I'll be checking in with you, and I'll call if anything comes up. In the meanwhile, I'm going to be talking to any client who'll take my
