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.

four cylinders?”

Kyle glanced at the customers, then at me.

“I gave her a preliminary figure.”

I tapped the invoice.

“You gave me a required replacement and an eight-thousand-dollar total.”

Rebecca held out her hand.

“The readings, Kyle.”

He didn’t move.

“All under ninety,” I said. “That’s what he told me.”

Rebecca’s face hardened.

“Did those numbers come from continue reading …