Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: High-End Storage Auction (3)
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He placed the gold coins on the scale and began weighing them.
After entering something into the computer, he tapped away at the calculator.
"Considering the current gold price and their rarity... each one goes for about $2,200 to $2,400. The 1851 piece is a bit rarer, so it could fetch up to $2,800."
I quickly did the math in my head.
It was higher than I'd expected.
"All told... I can give you $18,500 for them."
"$18,500?"
"Yes. Cash right now if you want. Check's fine too, of course."
I thought it over for a moment and opted for the check.
Carrying around that much cash was too risky.
On my way out after the deal, I called Bill.
"Bill, I sold the gold coins. Got $18,500 for them!"
"Whoa, better than expected. Nice job. Oh, speaking of—one thing I forgot to mention yesterday..."
Bill's tone turned cautious.
"You are handling taxes on your antiques sales properly, right?"
"...Taxes?"
The question blindsided me, leaving my mind blank.
The trucking income was handled by the company, but I'd never even considered taxes on antiques.
"Don't tell me you haven't filed once?"
"Well... honestly, I didn't know."
A long sigh came through the phone.
"This is bad. Income from antiques is straight-up self-employment earnings. You need to report it on Schedule C. Texas has no state income tax, thank God, but federal and self-employment taxes are non-negotiable."
"Damn. How much are we talking?"
"Self-employment tax is 15.3%, federal income tax depends on your bracket—probably 22% for you. Combined, that's pushing 30%."
I ran the numbers in my head.
Thirty percent of everything I'd made so far...
"Plus, you're supposed to pay estimated taxes quarterly. Skip that, and penalties pile on. Jake, fix this ASAP. Go see a tax pro."
"A tax accountant, huh..."
"I know a guy. Experienced, detail-oriented. Korean-American CPA, too, so you'll chat easy."
"Thanks, man. You're a lifesaver, Bill."
"No sweat. Drive safe."
I pulled up to Bill's shop around 1 p.m.
Marcus was already there.
"Jake! Gold coins sell okay?"
"Yeah, $18,500."
They both whistled when I showed them the check.
"Alright, let's settle up."
Bill pulled out his calculator.
"We spent $12,000 on the storage auction. Revenue from the gold is $18,500... If you're cool with it, we'll buy the silverware and small furniture for the shop. Gotta move 'em anyway—call it $34,000 total?"
"Sounds good to me."
Bill pulled a thick envelope from his pocket.
Added my check on top...
"That's $52,500 all in."
"And that's without the big furniture and chest of drawers. Those need time to get top dollar. Especially that chest with the secret drawer—it's a gem. Gotta find the right collector."
"Whoa, just hearing it sounds solid."
"Best part of the game. Let's divvy it up."
Bill rubbed his hands with a grin.
That's when Marcus spoke up.
"Hold up—I'm sitting this one out."
He raised his hands and stepped back.
"Bill gets it... Leaking info's fine if you don't get caught, but taking cash? That's trouble. License suspension if you're busted."
"For real?"
"Yup. System's not that sloppy. Heard some guys take payoffs, but I ain't risking it."
Marcus nodded at me.
"Call this square for the favor last time, Jake."
"...Thanks. If anything, I owe you now."
He flashed a grin.
"Help me out sometime later then. That's how it works, right?"
"Marcus..."
"Haha, relax. Happens all the time. Long game means no greed for loose change."
Bill recalculated.
"Okay, $52,500 split even..."
"Hang on, Bill. From now on, let's split auction costs half-half. Small stuff's one thing, but big ones like this? Fair that way."
I'd been mulling this since yesterday.
Even fronting the full auction payment, Bill hadn't griped once.
Way more than our original partnership deal.
Play the long game. Bill's solid. Plenty to learn from him.
Bill eyed me, then sniffed and rubbed his nose.
Looking sheepish, he grumbled awkwardly.
"...Hmph, don't regret it later. Fine by me."
His face betrayed him—a touched old man.
I chuckled and nodded.
"Total revenue $52,500 minus $12,000 investment... $40,500. Split down the middle: $20,250 each. Good?"
"Spot on. Good work, Bill."
"Big pieces and chest are the real prizes. They'll boost profits more. My name on it—expect top dollar, partner."
His words warmed my chest.
Bill, Marcus... true friends.
They valued more than money.
Next morning, after breakfast, I sat on the couch and crunched numbers.
The windfall was nice, but expenses loomed large.
Got $20,250 from the auction yesterday, but...
Taxes were the killer. Unknown territory.
Time to meet Bill's accountant guy.
I dialed the number he'd given me.
"Kim Sun-hee CPA office."
"Hi, Jake Winch here. Bill Harrison referred me."
"Mr. Winch. Bill called. Sounds tricky."
"Yeah. Here's my situation..."
*
What I thought would be quick stretched over an hour.
I hung up with a sigh.
Back taxes: $10,800.
At least I caught it early, the accountant said. That echoed.
Damn. Better late than never.
Stopped by the bank to deposit my cash from Bill.
Auction profit $20,250 minus taxes $10,800... $9,450 left.
Added up everything else too.
Antiques profits mostly went to debt, so skip those.
Trucking: ~$1,500/week for 6 months... ~$36,000.
Minus living expenses, rent, interest... ~$8,000 saved.
Plus today's deposit: $17,450 total.
Nice stash. Enough to chip away at Sam's hospital bills more.
Paying down debt with antiques sales had helped big time.
Back at the trailer park, Sam was playing in the yard with Nancy.
"Sam, got a minute?"
"Sure. Nancy, go inside and watch TV, honey."
"Okay!"
Once she was gone, we sat facing each other.
"What's up?"
I pulled out my checkbook.
"Sam, how much left on the hospital bills?"
"Huh? Why..."
"Quick."
He sighed.
"With what you paid last time... about $18,000. Paying $200 a month."
"That's 90 months easy. Interest aside."
"Eh, we'll get there slow."
I wrote $9,000.
"Jake, that's..."
"Half. Take it for now."
"No. That's your money."
"Family doesn't split hairs like that. You raised an orphan like me, taught me to drive truck and make a living."
"But..."
"Come on."
"Such a big chunk..."
"Nailed a huge score at the auction. Plenty left after taxes."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Still trucking, still antiquing. Money's replaceable."
"No pressure, Sam. Pay back when you're flush if it bugs you."
"Jake..."
"Haha, after all you've done? This is nothing."
He wiped his eyes.
"Feels like you showed up yesterday..."
"Hard to believe. Twenty-one years."
"Yeah. Twenty-one years. That little kid grew up good."
"Thanks to you."
"Nah. Your hard work."
We sat in silence awhile.
"Thanks, Jake. Truly."
"Don't mention it."
"How do I repay this..."
"Psh, no debt here. Just family."
Sam hugged me tight.
His rough hands patted my back.
"Your aunt's proud up there."
"Bet she is, watching us."
Afternoon, headed to Bill's.
"Jake! See the accountant?"
"Yeah, shelled out $10,800 in taxes."
"Oof, that much?"
"Early catch, though. Learned expense tracking too."
"Smart. Everyone screws up at first. Key is fixing it going forward."
Bill grabbed the warehouse keys.
"Now, the rest of the furniture. Gold and small stuff's handled, but the big pieces remain."
The doors swung open, revealing the Victorian set.
Bill had cleaned them spotless in the meantime.
"This chest especially."
The one with the secret drawer.
"Like I said, prime piece. Auction might not cut it—better private sale to someone who knows value."
"Got someone?"
"Was thinking... Victor."
"Victor?"
I blinked. Bill despised the guy.
"Jerk, sure. But he's big into Victorian. He'll bite."
"After we outbid him at auction..."
"Business is business, Jake. No grudges."
Pro mode activated.
"Victor pays fair for quality. Pride won't let him pass it up."
"Want me to call?"
"Nah, got his number. My treat."
Bill dialed.
It connected. Victor's voice.
"Victor? Bill here. Bill Harrison... Yeah, got something you'd like..."
They talked.
"1880s British chest... Yeah, secret drawer... What? Wanna see it?"
He glanced at us. I nodded.
"Good. 2 p.m. next week? ...Got it."
Hung up.
"Next week. He's hooked."
"Price?"
"Forty-five grand minimum. Genuine with secret drawer."
"That's..."
"Pushes total profits over ninety."
Huge score.