A mechanic tried to charge me $8,000 for a “broken engine”—but what I took out of my purse made him beg me to rip up the bill.

that?”

“Several.”

“Name one.”

His smile thinned.

“Compression.”

“May I see the results?”

“We don’t usually show customers raw data.”

“Why not?”

“Shop policy.”

“Then give me my keys.”

Kyle placed his hand over them.

“I wouldn’t recommend that.”

“I didn’t ask for a recommendation.”

His voice changed. It became soft and slow, but it wasn’t kind.

“You said you drive continue reading …