He sold it later, once the novelty wore off.
But the transaction had been buried—hidden from every official record.
I kept digging. I found several more cases just like it.
The amount of tax that had been evaded was staggering.
Last year, a friend had tipped me off that Pruitt Corp was involved in tax fraud. I'd spent an enormous amount of time and resources covering for Kathleen.
But this time, I wasn't going to stick my neck out for her again.
The train wouldn't be running for a few more days, so I checked into a small hotel to wait.
The following evening, Kathleen somehow tracked down where I was staying.
I'd barely stepped outside when they blocked my path.
The moment she saw me, she let out a contemptuous laugh.
"Without me, this is the best you can do? Some roadside motel."
"At the end of the day, you're nothing. A nobody who's never accomplished a single thing."
I ignored her and turned to leave.
But Dylan stepped in front of me.
"Arthur, come on, we're all family here. There's nothing we can't work out." He smiled, all warmth and reason. "I brought Kathleen to find you because I want to invite you to my inauguration ceremony."
"I already talked to Kathleen. I asked her to give you a zero-point-one percent share of the company."
"So stop making a fuss and come back with us. I don't like seeing you two fight."
Kathleen's voice was ice. "Arthur, Dylan is volunteering to give you a piece of his own shares. That's how generous he is. You should be grateful he's big enough to tolerate you."
"Zero point one percent?" I said.
"I don't need it."
I knocked Dylan's hand away. He stumbled backward on cue, hitting the ground. A scrape opened across his palm, blood welling up.
Kathleen exploded.
"Arthur, don't push your luck! If Dylan hadn't insisted I come get you, do you think I'd actually want you back?"
"You've bullied him for years, and now you have the nerve to put your hands on him right in front of me? I should never have bothered!"
"Since you don't want the shares, fine! You don't get them!"
"Let's see how long you last without me!"
Something about those words struck me as almost funny.
"You really don't hear how ridiculous you sound, do you?"
"When have you ever—even once—actually seen me bully him?"
"Every single time, all he has to do is say something, and you believe him without question!"
"And this time, you lied to me for three years just so he could waltz into the VP position. You erased everything I did for that company!"
"That's what you call support?"
"Shut your mouth!"
Kathleen lunged forward, her hand swinging toward my face.
This time, I caught her wrist. I pushed her back.
Dylan rushed to steady her, then turned to me with tears brimming in his eyes.
"Arthur, Kathleen has been so good to you. Is this how you repay her?"
"Apologize to her. Now."
Then he turned to Kathleen, pleading on my behalf.
"Kathleen, he didn't mean it. He's just upset that you gave me the VP position instead of him."
"Maybe I should just give the title to Arthur."
Kathleen stopped him, her expression dark. "Dylan, you don't need to speak for him."
"He's an ungrateful snake. That's all he's ever been."
Then she gave me her ultimatum.
"Arthur, I'm giving you one last chance. Tomorrow is Dylan's inauguration ceremony. You're going to show up with a proper gift, kneel in front of everyone, and apologize to Dylan. Do that, and you can keep your title as my husband. Refuse, and don't expect any mercy from me."
I lowered my head. A laugh shook through me.
"Well then, I suppose I should thank you for your generosity."
She smirked. "Of course. After all, I'm the one who gave you everything."
She took Dylan's arm and got into the car.
I watched them drive away, a cold smile on my face.
Then I turned and headed for the Galloways.
The next day, inside a luxury hotel.
Dylan Henson arrived at the ceremony in a tailored designer suit, basking in the admiration of everyone around him.
Kathleen held his arm, her gaze warm and tender. "Dylan, once you're officially named Vice President, you'll help me run the company."
Dylan nodded eagerly, then glanced toward the entrance.
"Kathleen, it's been a while now. How come Arthur still isn't here? He's not still upset, is he?" He paused. "Maybe I should give him a call."
Disgust flickered through Kathleen's eyes.
"Don't bother with him. I already gave him his chance. If he can't be bothered to show up, I'm filing for divorce."
The words had barely left her mouth when one of her employees rushed over.
"Ms. Pruitt, we have a problem. An IRS enforcement vehicle just pulled up outside our headquarters. They're saying the company has been evading taxes, and they need you to come in for an investigation."
