Arthur looked surprised, but only for a second.

Then a faint, grim smile touched his lips.

“You always were smarter than him, Clara.”

“My attorney drafted the agreement last week,” I said.

“It leaves him with the debt and gives me the properties.”

“He will sign it if he thinks it keeps him out of jail for a few more days.”

“Or if he thinks it protects the money from the feds,” Arthur said.

“Go,” Arthur said.

“Get him to sign it before the agents process him.”

“I will delay them here as long as I can.”

“Thank you, Arthur,” I said.

I walked out of the conference room.

The hallway was empty.

The silence of the corporate offices felt different now.

It felt like a crime scene.

I took the elevator down to the garage.

My car was parked in the executive level.

The concrete structure was cold, the smell of damp earth and exhaust fumes hanging in the air.

I got into my sedan and turned the key.

The engine purred to life.

I drove out into the autumn evening.