After exiting the hospital, Blake and Carlos took a cab to the impound. On the way to the impound, Carlos got a call from his sister.
"Hey bro! I called my friend and they said that they will help you out. Meet them at Ciclo Cafe around 6. His name is Tony. He used to go for these auctions with his brother but now he stopped going. I will forward you his number now."
"Well, I am on my way to the impound now with Blake. We should be done there by 5 at the max," replied Carlos looking at his watch showing 4:30.
"You should give him a call before you go there. He might get be able to get you some contact there."
"Will do. See ya then."
"What's that about?" asked Blake once Carlos cut the call.
"Well, Sandra's called her friend to give us some help. Name's Tony. His brother used to be in the auction business apparently. I will give him a call now."
After a couple of rings, the call connected and an energetic voice came through the phone.
"Yello! Tony here. Who's this?"
"Hey, Tony. This is Carlos. Sandra's brother."
"Hey man! Sandra just called. Wassup?"
"Well, we are on our way to the impound to get details on the next auction. Do you have any contact there who could help?"
"My brother used to talk to a Sergeant there. But he is retired now. One of the reasons my brother moved his business. I could call him up to see if he has any contact if you want?"
"That would be great!"
"I will call you back in five then."
"So how did it go?"
"He only has contact with a retired sarge. He said he will call back once he has some info."
"It will take at least another 10 minutes for us to reach there. So we have got time."
Just as Carlos and Blake reached the impound, Carlos received a phone call from Tony.
"Hey man! I just called the sarge. He does not have many contacts but he got me the number of an Inspector in the station. I will send it to you now. Hope it helps."
"Thanks a lot, man."
"Anytime dude."
After hanging up, Carlos turned around with a smile and told Blake "Looks like my sister has helped us out big time. We may not have the best connection now but at least we have some contact to get some info." Carlos showed Blake the message he got from Tony while saying that.
"Call him up first. Maybe we can meet him upfront to get some insider info."
While nodding his head, Carlos called the number which Tony sent over.
"Hello. Is this Rick Garibaldi?"
"Yes. Who am I talking to?"
"Hi. I am Carlos. A friend mine gave your number to talk to you about the County Car Auction. He said you might be able to help us."
"And who might that friend be?"
"His name is Kreg. He used to come for auctions here before. The previous sarge gave your number to him."
"Oh, Mr Andrews gave my number huh. Well, where are you guys now? It's not good to talk about this stuff over the phone."
"We are just outside the impound. We thought we can try our luck here but then we got your contact."
"Nice timing. I am near there as well. Come to the McD at the corner of the street. I am off duty, so I am not in my uniform. Call me once you are there."
"Sure thing sir."
After hanging up, Carlos told Blake "Let's head to the McD over there. He is waiting for us there."
After reaching McD, Carlos gave a call to Rick and spotted him quite easily. He was a tall, around 6 feet, buff man. You could feel the power his muscles held at one look.
"So, what can I help you guys with?"
"Well, Blake, over here and I were planning to participate in the coming auction. We have saved up some money. But we wanted to get a basic idea of how it all works. You know, like the unspoken rules."
"Official rules, state that anyone can participate as long they can pay immediately after the auction is done. You will have to enter the funds you will be using during this auction at the beginning and should not exceed the amount quoted. You will be allowed to view the cars up for auction before you quote your funds limit but they will be covered with sheets. Sometimes they add fitting to make the car not recognisable at first glance. No one should dig for info about the cars up for auction."
"But most of the times the rules are lax and we allow them to quote prices above the funds quoted. And once again most of the times people who participate get some kind of info about the wares but it costs money and is not worth it most of the times. Also, it is not reliable most of the times."
"There are a couple of unspoken rules. No one touches the people who have won a jackpot in the auction. Don't try to bring in personal grudges between two people into the auction. Do not under any circumstances, start a fight during or before the auction. And lastly do not use your position, background or any other means to threaten the people participating in the auction. If you break any of these rules, then the consequences will be very, and I mean very bad. The police might not push you to your limits after some initial action but they will not do anything if some people come after you either. Got any questions?"
"Thanks for all the info. So about the coming auction can you tell us something?" asked Blake.
"I can't tell you much but considering Mr Andrews sent you, let me tell you this. Bring about 14 grand. That should be the maximum money you will need to get a couple of good cars or one great car in the coming auction. I can't help you guys with anything else. Have a great day, fellas. And good luck." saying that Rick lifted his drinks cup in the air before leaving the premises.