Nolan Sold His Van To Fund The First Required Payments

Nolan's first settlement offer came through his lawyer.

He would drop his remaining fee claims if I signed a statement calling the auction a mutual misunderstanding.

Della read it aloud. I waited for the rest.

There was no rest.

"No," I said.

"Do you want to make a counteroffer?"

"One based on the records."

By then, I understood the difference between wanting an apology and needing a remedy. An apology could have been another good shirt Nolan wore for an hour.

I needed clear title, paid debts, and an end to his power over my work.

The company closeout took most of November. The independent manager checked the remaining assets, sent notices to creditors, and arranged sales with written records.

My six personal machines stayed out of that process. So did the two repaired customer machines, already back with their owners.

That left four company jukeboxes and the shared tools.

Ruthie still wanted C11 and C12.

"You're sure?" I asked her.

"I'm suspicious of bargains," she said. "I am not suspicious of a fair price written down correctly."

Her order was honored during the closeout. The company credited her $6,300 already paid. She paid the final $2,100 into the supervised account before delivery.

Leon agreed to accept his full $7,200 back. His lunch counter had opened without music, and he had decided to wait before buying anything else.

"I liked those machines," he told me. "I like getting my money back more."

Nolan sold his service van. After its loan and sale costs were paid, the sale produced $15,400.

His lawyer sent the funds through the agreed process. Leon received $7,200. River Measure received the $6,300 Nolan had transferred out as a false refund.

Mara checked both payments against the bank records.

The remaining $1,900 went toward the civil settlement with me.

Nolan agreed to a $9,400 judgment for my documented losses and part of my legal and accounting costs. The balance was paid from his company distribution during the closeout.

I did not get paid twice for anything. Della made me read the credits on the closing sheet until I could explain each one without looking down.

"Your story may be simple," she said. "Your settlement still needs to add up."

The other two company jukeboxes sold for $9,500 together after fresh ownership checks. I bought the shared bench tools for an independently agreed value of $2,200.

The real creditors were paid. Closing expenses were paid. The final statement divided what remained under our agreement, with Nolan's payment obligations charged against his share.

I signed only after every line had a supporting page.

Before I put down my pen, I checked the list of tools I had bought. My bench vise was there, along with the meter and pullers. Small things, but familiar ones. I had missed reaching for a tool and knowing it would be there.

The company was closed. Nolan no longer had keys, sales authority, or a share in my next business.

That did not end the criminal case.

In January, he pleaded guilty to the charges involving the diverted money and the second sale. Ruthie and I sat together in the courtroom. Leon came with his wife.

Nolan wore a gray sweater. Without the shop around him, he looked like someone waiting for a late bus.

The prosecutor put the payment records into the case. The judge credited the $13,500 already returned toward the restitution obligation. It was repayment, not a reason to pretend the conduct had never happened.

He received three years of supervised probation and an order to complete community service. The convictions were entered in the record.

The judge asked whether he understood the terms.

"Yes," he said.

It was the first answer I had heard him give without adding a sales pitch.

Outside, Ruthie put on her gloves one finger at a time.

"I thought I would want to say something to him," she said.

"So did I."

"I don't."

Neither did I.

The prosecutor's office later sent the written disposition. I filed it behind the restitution receipts. Della sent the satisfied civil judgment and final company papers. Those went into the blue box too.

My bond money came back after the court released it. I deposited it into savings. That small receipt pleased me more than I expected.

One afternoon, Nolan's former lawyer forwarded a last message. Nolan wanted to know whether I would provide a reference for his electrical work.

I answered through Della.

I would confirm the dates we had worked together. I would not recommend him to buyers.

There were no more messages.

Two mornings later, someone knocked on the door of my new workshop.

Ruthie stood outside with a wrapped rectangle under one arm.

"You have settled the accounts," she said. "Now we need to put your name back up."