Marvin’s passion had always been old cars. While on active duty he had saved his money with miserly diligence, then, risking every penny he owned during one Homeric night in Las Vegas, he increased his cash twentyfold—and walked away with it all. With his Vegas winnings he had opened a used-car lot dealing exclusively in old cars. Or as Marvin liked to refer to them: motor vehicles with class and style. I tended to agree with him in that assessment. In fact, I had bought my late lamented Bronco from Marvin.

I had Danny Ray drop me at the corner of the lot and continue on. As I strolled through the field of gleaming cars an old Chevy caught my eye. I was just walking over to take a closer look when a huge hand clapped me on the shoulder.

“Ranger Tanner! Hooah, brother! Ain’t seen you in a coon’s age! How you been, man?”

Marvin had put on even more weight since I had seen him last, but unlike most heavy men he was elegant in his dress and his carriage. His bearing was that of a man of distinction. He was dressed in cream-colored slacks, an open-neck white shirt with gold cuff links, and a wool blazer that must have cost more than my entire wardrobe. The Italian loafers he wore would have paid for Miss Rosalie ’s next paint job. Who knows what he paid for a haircut.

“Marvin, you’re looking prosperous,” I said as we shook hands. “How are you doing? How’s business?”

Marvin gave me a flash of his perfect teeth. “Business is down, brother. Down as low as I’ve ever seen it. But how am I doing? I’m great, that’s how I am. I do what I love. I have a wife and two daughters I adore—and who don’t think I’m all that bad, either. We live in a wonderful home that is filled with laughter and love. So without trying to sound like I’m bragging, I can’t think of a more fortunate man than me. But how ’bout yourself? How’s life these days?”

“Fine as frog’s hair, Marvin.”

“Ha-ha-ha. ‘Fine as frog’s hair.’ That’s a good one, Kennesaw. You always did know how to turn a phrase. ‘Fine as frog’s hair,’ I’ll have to remember that.”

“Feel free to use it as your own, Marvin. But I’m here looking for a car. Think a veteran can get some service in this place?”

Marvin swung an expansive arm that took in the whole lot at one sweep.