“And I should have made him bring you in or called you.

I made a bad judgment.”

He explained that Noah had arrived carrying the case and a story about a medical need.

He’d recognized the guitar as valuable and offered well below its original retail price because it was used and a private sale involved risk.

Noah accepted immediately.

“That should have been my warning,” Walter admitted.

“A kid giving up something that beautiful without bargaining.”

Owen examined the receipt Walter had kept.