eing the scratch on his world of privilege, and he was furious. I, on the other

ely calm and reasonable. It seemed to make him even angrier. "But the fact

orward again. "That's a lie! You pulled ou

no one seemed eager to back her up. The

bers. Tiff was being too generous. The custom splitter, the new paint job, the labor at a certified

dollars for a dent and a cracked piece of plastic. I

t even include compensation for my trauma. L

nt, looking at me expectantly. They thought they had me

omethin

," I

rce of a physical blow. Liam and Tiff both st

y?" Liam asked,

le louder this time. "Three hundr

murmurs rippled thr

he cr

oing to get tha

st be b

hining in her eyes. "You heard her! Sh

s he studied my face. "You're agreeing to pay

silence stretch. "However," I added, "that just settles my

g H-1, with its scraped fender and a

pay for the damag

burst out laughing. It was a lo

ar. "A ten-dollar can of spray paint would probably increase its value. I'll do you a fav

n is that thing? A government surplus auction special? Does it eve

hline to their joke. The poor woman in the ugly ca

eutral, but inside, the plan was solidifying. Every insult, every

I said, my voice even. "But looks ca

of mirth from his eye. "How special? D

an a hand along the frame. "For one thing, it has a serial number. A

l, discreet plate n

l on the grille. It was no bigger than a quarter. "In my line of work, that littl

been planted. They didn't understand what I was saying, not yet, but the certainty in

e question isn't whether I can afford to pay you three hundred thousand dollar