The $5,000 remained in Grizz’s safe.
Dean’s attorney eventually requested personal property left at Hale Motor Works.
Tools.
Red marking compound.
Jacket.
And cash.
Police had already photographed everything.
Grizz returned the tools.
Jacket.
Not cash.
The wager became a legal oddity.
Dean claimed the money was never actually transferred.
Eddie argued it had been offered publicly under completed terms.
Everyone spent more time arguing about the money than it deserved.
Finally Dean’s lawyer sent a letter:
Mr. Rourke relinquishes any claim to the cash funds associated with the informal wager in exchange for no further civil dispute regarding possession.
Grizz read it twice.
Then called Lucas.
The boy came from the service bay.
“What?”
Grizz handed him the letter.
Lucas read.
“No.”
Grizz stared.
Lucas repeated:
“No.”
“Kid.”
“I don't want it.”
“Why?”
“Because.”
“That stopped being a reason when you turned six.”
Lucas looked toward the garage.
“I didn't earn five thousand dollars.”
Grizz crossed his arms.
“You found the fault.”
“Yes.”
“You got the bike running.”
“Yes.”
“You met the bet.”
“It was sabotage.”
“Probably.”
“Then it's weird.”
Grizz nodded.
“Very.”
Lucas handed the letter back.
“Use it for the shop.”
“My shop doesn't need Dean’s five grand.”
“Donate it.”
“Could.”
Lucas turned to leave.
Grizz said:
“Your dad's toolbox.”
Lucas stopped.
“What?”
Grizz knew.
Everyone close to Daniel knew.
When Bennett Cycle & Repair closed, Lucas sold many shop assets.
He kept one rolling toolbox.
Daniel’s personal chest.
Red.
Scratched.
Three drawers missing original handles.
Inside were his father's specialty tools.
Meters.
Torque wrenches.
Electrical probes.
Pullers.
Lucas stored it in his mother's garage because he had nowhere professional to use it.
Grizz said:
“You've been talking about school.”
Lucas turned.
“How do you know?”
“Your mom.”
Lucas groaned.
“Traitor.”
“She's terrifying.”
Grizz continued.
“Penn Tech motorcycle program.”
“Tuition.”
“Certification.”
“Electrical specialization.”
Lucas looked down.
“I haven't decided.”
“Yes, you have.”
“No.”
“You printed the application in my office.”
Lucas looked up.
“How did—”
“You left it in the printer.”
“Oh.”
Grizz smiled.
“Use the money.”
Lucas shook his head.
“Still weird.”
“Then make it less weird.”
“How?”
Grizz leaned against the bench.
“Turn a stupid bet into something useful.”
Lucas looked toward the motorcycles.
“I could pay part of tuition.”
“Yes.”
“Need tools.”
“Yes.”
“Certification fees.”
“Yes.”
“Mom needs the roof fixed.”
Grizz raised a finger.
“School first.”
Lucas frowned.
“My money.”
Grizz smiled.