Her eyes remained fixed on the stamp.
The specialist crouched.
“That can’t be authentic.”
The Single Dad said nothing.
The Female CEO whispered:
“That car was destroyed.”
The Single Dad looked at her.
“When?”
“1963.”
“Where?”
“Testing accident.”
“Body?”
“Destroyed.”
“Chassis?”
“Reported destroyed.”
The Single Dad looked at the corroded frame beside them.
“Apparently the chassis missed the report.”
The Female CEO stood abruptly.
“Close the hall.”
The specialist looked up.
“What?”
“Stop preview access to Lot 147.”
“Now.”
The specialist moved instantly.
The Single Dad remained kneeling.
The Female CEO looked down at him.
“What exactly do you think this is?”
He stood.
“A car.”
She stared.
“That is not funny.”
“A little.”
Her eyes narrowed.
He continued:
“If that stamp is genuine, I think we’re looking at the first Competition Grand Touring Research prototype.”
The specialist had returned with two employees.
He froze.
One whispered:
“CGTR001?”
The Single Dad nodded.
The employee laughed nervously.
“That doesn’t exist.”
The Single Dad pointed.
“It seems argumentative for something that doesn’t exist.”
The Female CEO ignored him.
“Get conservation.”
“Not restoration.”
“Conservation.”
“Call archive.”
“Pull every file connected to Competition Grand Touring Research, 1958 through 1964.”
She looked toward another assistant.
“Remove Lot 147 from public bidding.”
That caused an immediate reaction.
The Single Dad turned.
“No.”
The Female CEO looked at him.
“No?”
“You cannot pull it.”
“It’s my auction.”
“It’s consigned.”
“So?”
“So you already published the terms.”
“If the identity is materially wrong, I can suspend.”
“After verification.”
Her jaw tightened.
“You are suddenly an auction lawyer?”
“No.”
“I read contracts.”
“Why?”
“Because people with expensive suits often rely on people like me not reading them.”
The nearby specialist looked offended.
The Female CEO looked amused.
Just slightly.
“People like you?”
The Single Dad regretted that phrasing.
She caught it.
Of course.
He answered:
“Mechanics.”
She studied him.
Then nodded once.
“Fair.”
She turned toward staff.
“Freeze bidding eligibility on the lot pending authentication.”
“Do not withdraw it.”
That was legally cleaner.
The Single Dad appreciated it.
He said nothing.
She noticed anyway.
“You approve?”
“I’m relieved.”
“Wonderful.”
“I was worried.”