"That's what people usually say after they mean something."
Then he continued walking.
Daniel watched him.
Something about the man's calmness bothered him.
The man did not seem embarrassed.
He did not seem intimidated.
He did not even seem offended.
He seemed curious.
As if he were studying Daniel.
And for the first time that morning, Daniel had the uncomfortable feeling that perhaps he was the one being evaluated.
The Wrong Customer
Daniel caught up with him near the service entrance.
"Sir, if you're serious about purchasing a vehicle, I'd be happy to assist you."
The man turned.
"Are you?"
"Am I what?"
"Happy to assist me?"
Daniel forced another smile.
"Of course."
The man looked at him for several seconds.
"Then let's start over."
He extended his hand.
"My name is Samuel Carter."
Daniel shook it.
"Daniel Harper."
"Mr. Harper."
"Daniel is fine."
Samuel nodded.
"Daniel, then. I'd like to see the Aurelia."
Daniel glanced toward the black sedan.
"The Henderson family has expressed interest in that vehicle."
"Has it been sold?"
"No."
"Then I'd like to see it."
Daniel paused.
"Of course."
He walked Samuel back toward the car.
Marcus watched them from a distance.
Daniel unlocked the Aurelia.
Samuel opened the driver's door and sat inside.
He did not touch the controls immediately.
Instead, he studied the dashboard.
"The navigation system still uses the old interface."
Daniel blinked.
"You know this model?"
"I know cars."
"Are you a collector?"
"Not exactly."
Samuel started the engine.
The quiet hum of the electric-assisted powertrain filled the showroom.
He adjusted the seat.
Then he looked at Daniel.
"How much horsepower?"
Daniel answered.
"Five hundred and twelve."
"Torque?"
"Six hundred and twenty."
"Battery range?"
Daniel answered again.
Samuel nodded.
"Suspension?"
"Adaptive air suspension."
"Brake system?"
"Carbon ceramic."
Samuel smiled.
"You know your inventory."
"That's my job."
"I suppose it is."
Daniel relaxed slightly.
Maybe he had misjudged the man.
Then Samuel asked, "What is the final price?"
Daniel gave him the number.
Samuel nodded.
"Any dealer adjustment?"
Daniel mentioned the additional fee.
"Delivery?"
"Additional."
"Protection package?"
"Optional."
Samuel leaned back.
"And what would you personally recommend?"
Daniel hesitated.
The question was different from everything else.
Not what was expensive.
Not what made the dealership the most money.
What would he recommend?
"The standard package," Daniel said.
"Why?"
"It's enough."
Samuel looked at him.
"Enough for what?"
Daniel had no answer.
Samuel smiled.
"That's an interesting word."
He stepped out of the vehicle.
"I'll think about it."
Daniel felt his patience disappear.
"If you're not ready to purchase today, perhaps we could schedule an appointment."
Samuel looked at him.
"Why?"
"So I can give you my full attention."
"You've given me your attention all morning."
Daniel glanced toward the other customers.
"Sir, I have several clients coming in."
"Ah."
Samuel nodded.
"Important clients?"
"Yes."
Samuel smiled.
"Of course."
He began walking toward the entrance.
Daniel followed.
At the door, Samuel stopped.
"Mr. Harper."
Daniel looked up.
"Yes?"
"How long have you worked here?"
"Almost three years."
"And you like it?"
"Very much."
"Good."
Samuel opened the door.
Then he turned around.
"I hope you continue liking it."
The door closed behind him.
Daniel stood still.
Marcus walked over.
"What was that?"
"What?"
"That entire conversation."
Daniel shrugged.
"Just another tire kicker."
Marcus frowned.
"You sure?"
Daniel looked at him.
"Why?"
Marcus pointed toward the window.
"Because he just walked past a Ferrari without looking at it, ignored the sports coupe, spent twenty minutes examining the Aurelia, and knew more about the car than half the people who work here."
Daniel scoffed.
"That doesn't mean he can afford it."
Marcus stared at him.
"Did he tell you he couldn't?"
"No."
"Then how do you know?"
Daniel did not answer.
Marcus shook his head.
"You really need to stop doing that."
"Doing what?"
"Deciding who people are before they tell you."
Daniel laughed.
"That's how sales works."
"No," Marcus said quietly.
"That's how prejudice works."
Daniel's smile disappeared.
Before he could respond, the receptionist approached.
"Daniel?"
"What?"
"Mr. Carter left this."
She handed him a business card.
It was plain white.
No gold lettering.
No company logo.
Only one name.
Samuel Carter
And beneath it:
Carter Holdings
Daniel looked at it.
"What's Carter Holdings?"
Marcus took the card.
His expression changed.
"Daniel..."
"What?"
Marcus looked toward the door.
"You might want to find out."
The Name Nobody Recognized
Daniel searched Carter Holdings on his computer.
The first result was a corporate website.
The second was a financial article.
The third was a business journal.
Daniel clicked the first.
He stopped breathing for a moment.
Carter Holdings was not a small company.
It was a private investment group with holdings in manufacturing, transportation, technology, commercial real estate, and automotive components.
Its estimated assets were measured in billions.
Daniel stared at the screen.
"No."
Marcus stood behind him.
"What?"
Daniel scrolled.
Samuel Carter.
Founder.
Chairman.
Majority owner.
Marcus slowly sat down.
"That's him."
Daniel shook his head.
"It can't be."
"Why not?"
"Because..."
He could not finish.
Because Samuel Carter had looked like an old mechanic.
Because he had worn faded jeans.
Because his boots were scratched.
Because Daniel had assumed he could not afford a car.
Marcus pointed at the screen.
"Read the photograph caption."
Daniel did.