The 'Cousins'

Part Twenty-One: Fears and Explanations

Greg now leaned forwards and stressed his next words.’

‘What is said in this room stays in these four walls remember?’ Elbury nodded and Greg continued,  feeling uncomfortable that Elbury might not share his beliefs  ‘.. I just know what I know and I know what I’ve told you is true and I know it ‘cos Gleitner is trying to groom Jess for his depraved business purposes.’

They sat silently looking at each other. It was an impasse needing the abrupt ring of the telephone to get them past it.

‘It’s for you,’ Elbury said and passed the instrument to Greg.

‘Mitchell here,’ Greg forced as much lightness into his voice as he could muster.

‘Hi Mr. Mitchell, Al Yocum here. Bad news I’m afraid. The Bank won’t shift on the price, not one wooden nickel. More’n that, they said they won’t accept Amex at that price either. It has to be cash. What do you want to do Sir? The Fairline’s come back early and can be ready for you if you want to stay with a rental car. I don’t have another truck to offer you just yet.’

‘That’s OK Al, if I drum up the cash to take the F-350 can it be ready for me by tonight?’

‘Why yes Mr. Mitchell Sir. I can have it all done in a couple of hours except the new tyres. I don’t have that size in stock right now. I'm expecting a delivery in the next couple o’ days.’

‘That’s a deal Mr. Yocum. What will be the all-up price, including new rubber?’

‘That’s fifty-seven hundred still.’

‘But doesn’t that come out of your commission Mr. Yocum.’

‘It does, but I reckon to get you for a customer.’

Greg chuckled. ‘That goes without saying Al.  I’ll need to be leaving here by four o’clock.’

‘No problem Mr. Mitchell. She'll be ready fer yer.’

‘Just a minute Mr. Yocum.’  Bill Elbury was tugging Greg’s sleeve.

‘What’s going on?’ Bill mouthed without speaking.

‘I’m buying a truck from the bank through Al Yocum. I’ll need $5700 cash by half-three this afternoon.’

‘No problem. Is that the Mid State Farmer’s bank?’

Greg relayed the question to Yocum and his answer to Greg.

‘That’s right!’

 ‘I’ll call the Bank ,’ Elbury said with a firm nod of his head.

Greg confirmed the deal and rang off with Yocum. Elbury called the bank and guaranteed the cash to get release of the vehicle. He rubbed his hands together and grinned when he hung up.

‘You’ve decided to stay for the longer term then since you’re buying a vehicle. Sounds like a good price.’

‘Bank repo.’

‘There’s a few of them around these days and a lot more coming soon. Al Yocum’s a good man, you can trust him to give you a straight deal.’

‘I found that out already. Are you always so damned pessimistic?’

Elbury sighed deeply. ‘It’s not pessimism it’s reality. I don’t want a recession anymore than you do. That raises another question. If you’re planning to start businesses here you’d better get yourself onto a proper visa. I’ve had a word with your lawyer, Dean Halburton in Boston. We talked on the phone about this. He’ll contact you about getting a green card.’