I wanted him confident.
People make their biggest mistakes when they believe the other person has already surrendered.
Arthur came home the following evening.
Beatrice was on his arm.
His phone started ringing before he had been inside thirty seconds.
Leonard.
Then Sterling’s general counsel.
Then the head of audit.
Then someone from the bank.
Arthur declined each call.
“What did you do?” he asked again.
Beatrice slowly removed her hand from his arm.
I looked at her.
“Did you enjoy Miami?”
Her face changed.
Arthur recovered quickly.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“The Azure Crown looked nice.”
Beatrice stepped away from him.
“Arthur—”
“Stay out of this.”
I stood.
My knees felt weak, but my voice did not.
“Seven nights.
Oceanfront suite.
First-class tickets.
Champagne.
Spa charges.
A bracelet.”
Arthur glanced at Beatrice’s wrist.
She immediately covered it.
“You went through company records?”
