Simone pressed the button.
The white sedan unlocked.
Its mirrors unfolded.
The lights flashed once.
A soft electronic tone filled the delivery bay.
Several employees turned.
Cassandra’s smile faltered.
Simone pressed again.
The trunk opened smoothly.
Inside sat two garment bags and a leather briefcase with Simone’s initials embossed on the handle.
Cassandra looked from the trunk to Simone.
Then back to the key.
“You’re the customer?”
Simone tilted her head.
“You sound disappointed.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“No.”
“You didn’t.”
Martin Hale finally started moving toward them.
Fast.
Cassandra saw him.
Relief appeared on her face.
“Martin, good.”
She gestured toward Simone.
“Can you explain to this customer that the detailing area—”
Martin did not look at her.
He looked at Simone.
“Ms. Carter.”
Cassandra stopped.
Martin held a thick gray folder in both hands.
He was nervous enough that Simone noticed.
“The closing counsel just confirmed county recording.”
He offered the folder.
“The final ownership documents.”
Simone took it.
Martin continued.
“Carter Mobility Holdings now controls seventy-eight percent of Sterling Crown Automotive Group.”
Silence.
Not metaphorical silence.
Actual silence.
A pneumatic tool stopped somewhere in service.
The young sales associate near the glass wall stopped breathing through an open mouth.
Cassandra’s face became almost blank.
Martin swallowed.
“Congratulations, Ms. Carter.”
Simone opened the folder.
Looked at the first page.
Then closed it again.
Cassandra stared at her.
“You…”
Simone turned.
“Yes?”
Cassandra’s mouth moved.
No words.
Simone looked toward the white sedan.