Chapter 3

When I heard the name NovaTech Solutions, my head snapped up.

That was the project I'd bled countless all-nighters into, the one finally starting to take shape.

Arlene only smiled and said it like it was nothing:

"It's no big deal. Roland's away on business right now, working on exactly that account."

"When he's back, I'll tell him the follow-up needs too much wining and dining, that it's wearing him out, and have him hand it over to me. Then I put it straight under your name."

"Just sit tight and wait for that year-end promotion, sweetie."

William leaned in, thrilled, and kissed the side of her face.

"Arlene, you're the best! I love you most!"

Listening to them laugh without a care in the world, I felt sick to my stomach.

Arlene and I both worked in consulting, each at one of the two top firms in the industry.

She knew exactly what it would mean for me if she took a client off my hands.

It would mean I was suspected of leaking key client information.

I could be disciplined by the firm. Suspended, even.

Without thinking, I reached for the water in my bag, but I lost my grip and the bottle dropped to the floor.

William jumped. "Whoa, I completely forgot we picked up a passenger."

Arlene glanced up at the rearview mirror.

I had a hat and a mask on, my whole face covered up,

and since the ride had been booked on a coworker's account, she didn't recognize me at all.

She gave a half-hearted smile. "Sorry about that, man. My husband and I are always messing around like this. Didn't mean to disturb you."

Husband.

My stomach churned, but I said nothing.

Seeing that I wasn't going to answer, Arlene turned back around and went on flirting with William.

I pulled out my phone and opened the chat with a lawyer friend of mine.

"Aaron Fox, draft me a divorce agreement."

"Arlene cheated during the marriage. I want her to walk away with nothing."

Once I'd sent the lawyer his instructions, I switched back to my main chat screen.

I looked at that familiar profile picture pinned at the top and placed a voice call straight through.

The next second, the phone on the center console started buzzing.

William whistled. "Ooh, the wife's checking up on you."

Arlene frowned and hit decline without a moment's hesitation, then flicked the phone to silent.

Then she cleared her throat and pressed down on the voice-message button.