Page 53 of Until Ireland

Marcus picked up on the second ring, jovial as ever. “Mackinley, what a pleasant surprise. What do I owe the honor of your phone call so early this morning?”

“Won’t think it’s such an honor when I get done telling you something,” I muttered.

Marcus laughed. “Out with it. Then we can talk about the rare find I’m looking at right now.”

“Are you sitting, Marcus?” I hedged.

“Yes, of course, of course,” he replied, his tone becoming serious. “What’s happened, Mack?”

“What if I told you I know where your missing Aston Martin is?” I hated this. I hated I had to tell my friend and associate that I’d been the one to buy his car after it’d been stolen.

“I’d pay you a finder’s fee and rejoice,” Marcus said. “I love my Aston Martin more than my obnoxious children.”

Of that, I had no doubt. Marcus was in his sixties, and his children were all spoiled rotten because of their mother. Each of them thought they would get a hefty amount of money from his estate when he passed, but little did they know, Marcus had other plans.

“I bought it.”

“What?” Bewilderment filled Marcus’s tone. “You bought my car?”

“Indeed, I did.” I then explained how I came to be in possession of his vehicle. “None of us knew who it belonged to until the VIN had been run by the police. Had it not been for Ireland and her brother Landon’s eagle eye and attention to details, you’d have never received this phone call from me.”

“The car has been missing for years,” Marcus murmured. “At least five.”

Yes, at least that long. “It was placed up for auction a few months ago. I happened to put in the winning bid for another customer. Low ball, of course.”

“Of course,” Marcus sputtered. “It had mechanical issues. Paint was peeling. I’d had it scheduled to go to the shop the day after it was stolen.”

“I still need to inform my client so he can pursue charges against the auction house. I had no idea. I wouldn’t have bought the vehicle if I’d known.” I scrubbed my face. “Which leads me back to calling you. I’d like to have the Aston Martin fixed at my expense then shipped back to you.”

“Nonsense,” Marcus snapped. “Like you said, the car would have been gone forever, but for your mechanic. Answer me one question.”

“Anything,” I replied.

“Have you paid for the parts to be shipped?”

“Ireland purchased them and was in the beginning stages of fixing the car,” I answered.

“Then let her finish. I’ll call the police department and let them know I want the vehicle returned to her garage,” Marcus replied. “There is no reason why she should be punished for doing her job.”

“You’re taking this really well. I expected you to yell and cuss at me,” I said, astonished by how calm the man was.

“Mack, did you intentionally steal my car?”

“No,” I answered. “I respect you too much to ever do such a thing.”

“Then I have no reason to be angry with you or your friends. Although, I do have one more question,” he said.

“Shoot. I’ll answer as best as I can.”

“Do you know who had my car and how they obtained it?”

“Yes and no. The auction house where your car was sold is called Lux Automobile Auction. Edgar Lux owns it. As for who brought it to him, I’m not sure.”

“You can find out for me though? Or someone can?” he hedged.

“Of course. You know I won’t leave any stone unturned.”

“Perfect. Then tell your Ireland I expect great things from her. When she has a firm date of completion, I will schedule a trip to retrieve my car. Then I can meet her too. Not very often you find a female mechanic.” His tone took on a mischievous quality. “Have you bedded her yet, my boy?”

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