The Bill of Sale
Sterling Halloran was halfway through polishing the chrome bumper of his dark-green 1968 Ford Mustang when Hadley Lockwood came marching across the cul-de-sac.
She held a sheet of paper above her head as though it were a court order.
Her nineteen-year-old son, Bryson, followed behind her.
Sterling recognized the expression on Hadley’s face immediately. It was the expression she wore whenever she believed the neighborhood was about to witness her winning an argument.
She stopped beside the Mustang.
“Move away from the vehicle,” she said.
Sterling slowly lowered his cloth.
“Good afternoon to you too.”
Hadley shoved the paper against his chest.
“My son owns this car now.”
Sterling caught the document before it fell.
His eyes moved over the page.
BILL OF SALE.
Vehicle: 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback.
Purchase price: $35,000.
Seller: Sterling Halloran.
Buyer: Bryson Lockwood.
Sterling stared at the signature beneath his name.
Then he looked at Hadley.
“You forged my signature.”
Hadley smiled.
“You signed a valid agreement.”
“I didn't.”
Bryson stepped forward.
He placed his palm against the Mustang's roof.
“Mom said this car belongs to me. So hand over the keys.”
Sterling's eyes moved to the young man's hand.
“Take your hand off the car.”
Bryson laughed.
“Or what?”
“Take it off.”
Something in Sterling's voice made Bryson hesitate.
But Hadley stepped between them.
“You have until the police arrive.”
Sterling looked toward the street.
Two police cruisers were already turning into Briarwood Glen Estates.
He slowly removed his gray baseball cap.
Hadley smiled triumphantly.
“There. Now you understand.”
Sterling shook his head.
“No, Hadley.”
He looked toward the approaching cruisers.
“I think you're about to.”
The first cruiser stopped.
Sergeant Tucker Brennan stepped out.
Officer Lane Murchison followed.
Both officers looked toward the Mustang.
Then toward Sterling.
They froze.
Brennan's expression changed instantly.
Both men straightened.
Their hands rose in a crisp salute.
“Chief Halloran, sir.”