That made him angry.
“I didn't ask you to stop it.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you?”
“Because I found something that needs review.”
“Would you have reviewed it if your Porsche broke somewhere else?”
Silence.
Daniel regretted the question.
Then decided he did not.
Victoria answered honestly.
“Probably not.”
That mattered.
He leaned against the lift.
“So I got lucky.”
“Yes.”
“You're not supposed to say that.”
“You prefer comforting dishonesty?”
“No.”
“Then yes. You got lucky.”
Daniel laughed softly.
Victoria continued.
“And that bothers me.”
“Why?”
“Because there are six other borrowers on that block who did not happen to repair my car.”
Daniel looked toward the neighboring shops.
“The transmission place?”
“Possibly.”
“The barber?”
“I don't know yet.”
“The apartments?”
“One.”
He swore.
Victoria's voice softened.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For not knowing.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“You can't know every loan your company owns.”
“No.”
“Then stop apologizing for being rich.”
She laughed unexpectedly.
Daniel smiled despite himself.
“That wasn't permission to enjoy it.”
“Too late.”
“What happens now?”
“Independent committee reviews the portfolio strategy, loan-workout history, and conflicts.”
“And my loan?”
“Same as the others.”
“You're staying out?”
“I have to.”
“Because of me?”
“Because I met you.”
Daniel looked at the phone.
Interesting.
“You could just forgive the debt.”
“I could not.”
“Billionaires can't do whatever they want?”
“Devastating, I know.”
“News to me.”
“The fund has outside investors. Fiduciary obligations. Tax consequences. Governance.”
“Sounds romantic.”
Victoria paused.
Daniel realized what he had said.
She did too.
Her voice changed.
“Were we discussing romance?”
“No.”
“Shame.”
Daniel smiled.
“Your car still running?”
“Perfectly.”
“One hundred thirty-eight dollars well spent.”
“I’m beginning to think I overpaid.”
“Bring it back.”
“I might.”
“You threatening me?”
“Maybe.”
A horn sounded outside.
Daniel looked up.
Lily’s school bus was arriving early for teacher planning day.
“I need to go.”
“Daniel.”
“Yes?”
“The foreclosure is paused.”
He looked toward his daughter climbing off the bus.
“For how long?”
“Until the review finishes.”
“And after?”
“I don't know.”
Truth again.
He appreciated it more than promises.
“Okay.”
Victoria hesitated.
“Breakfast offer still stands.”
Daniel watched Lily wave.
“Maybe.”
“Is that progress?”
“Don't ruin it.”
Victoria smiled in her office forty floors above downtown Chicago.
“Goodbye, mechanic.”