Brainy and the Beast Read Online Free Page B

the back of the garage, I’d built a platform and enclosed about a ten-foot-square space. It was enough for a desk and computer, plus a credenza for all my supplier info. The large fixed-light windows in the two partition walls allowed me to see almost the entire shop area.
    My chair squeaked as I dropped into it. I brought up Henry’s work ticket on the computer. Some guys I knew still used paper billing, but that was one of the first things I’d changed when I took over running the garage.
    My dad had done it the old-fashioned way and hadn’t been interested in updating, but I’d known we had to get a handle on our information. Hiring Sarita and going to the new system had ended up being two of the best decisions I’d made. The collections for the garage had gone up almost immediately, and my dad had to acknowledge that I’d made the right moves.
    I was thankful now when a couple of clicks got me Henry’s cell number. As I listened to the phone ring, I could picture the man. I imagined him in a white lab coat, moving around a room that looked something like my high school chemistry class. I inhaled slowly as I visualized him stretching to write on the blackboard, coat pulling tightly across his ass.
    “Travis.”
    I could no more stop the thrill that raced up my spine than I could keep Rum from digging in the hamper for my dirty socks.
    “Hello?”
    “Uh, sorry. This is Nick Shelton, from Shelton Motors. We’ve got your 300 over here.”
    Travis’s voice was slightly dry. “Yes, I know.”
    I closed my eyes in frustration. “Uh, yeah. Sorry. Well, anyway, I took a look at the 300. She’s a sweet ride, by the way. Have you had her long?”
    It took a few seconds for Travis to answer. “I bought the car just under two years ago.”
    “Oh. Oh, yeah.” Guy sure didn’t say much, did he? “I think you mentioned that yesterday.” With a mental sigh, I gave up. “Okay, Doc. Here’s what I found.” I outlined the problem for him, going into detail. “…and that clutch looks like it’s been there awhile. With the amount of mileage you’ve got on her, I’m not surprised it’s shot. Lucky you brought her in when you did, so that your tranny didn’t get damaged.”
    “Tranny?”
    I could just picture the not quite sure look on his face. Ah, maybe he was gay and thought I was making a slur? “The transmission. Sorry, mechanic shorthand. Also, that noise you were hearing was from a slight bend in one of the fan blades. I don’t know, maybe you picked up a rock somewhere? Anyway, we straightened it out. I think it will hold, but we can watch it. No sense buying a new fan assembly if we don’t have to.”
    “Well, I certainly do appreciate that.” His voice warmed a bit. “I must say, you’ve surprised me.”
    I leaned back in my chair. “How so?”
    He laughed softly, and my ear tingled. “First of all, you fulfilled your promise to look at it right away. I really didn’t expect to hear from you today. And secondly, you’re not trying to buffalo me into buying more parts than I need.”
    “Hey, I take pride in spending my customers’ dollars as best I can.” I made a noise in my throat. “Fact is, the boys here call me the bloodhound because I’ll literally go digging through parts graveyards to find what we need. Sometimes it’s hard to find things for these old beauties.”
    “You’re telling me.” It was the first time Henry sounded like a regular guy.
    “The Internet has made a big difference, though. I can search around the planet in just a few minutes. That comes in handy with some of these old German and British cars.”
    “In my work as well. I can easily keep up with research being done in Switzerland.”
    “Oh, yeah? What kind of work do you do?” I had a stupid smile on my face, I just knew it.
    “Robotics.”
    Whoa. Smart-guy alert . “Yeah, I figured you were into something brainy.” Why, oh why did the smart guys turn my crank?
    “Really. What made you think