Richard wore a new navy blazer.
He was in his element, shaking hands, drinking scotch, and soaking in the attention.
I’ve never told anyone this part before, but seeing him smile made me feel sick.

I saw Diane there.
She was standing near the bar, wearing a tight black dress and the silver tennis bracelet on her wrist.
She looked at me and smiled, a smug, pitying look.
She thought she had won.

I walked up to the head table and sat down next to Richard.
He patted my hand and whispered that we were only a few hours away from being free.
I pulled my hand away and told him he was right.

At 8 PM, the master of ceremonies called Arthur to the microphone to present Richard’s retirement plaque and his discretionary 500,000 dollar partnership buyout check.

Richard stood up, adjusting his tie, a wide smile on his face.
He walked up to the podium and stood next to Arthur.
The crowd clapped.

Arthur took the microphone.
He looked at the crowd, then turned his gaze directly to Richard.

“For 20 years, Richard has worked at Vance Engineering,” Arthur said, his voice loud and clear through the speakers. “And for 20 years, I treated him like a brother.

I trusted him with my business. I trusted him with my sister.”

The crowd nodded. Richard smiled, expecting the praise.

“But 2 weeks ago,” Arthur continued, “we discovered that trust was misplaced. Richard has been embezzling company funds, charging personal expenses to our corporate accounts, and stealing proprietary data to start a competing firm.”

The room went dead silent.
The clinking of glasses stopped.
Richard stood there, his mouth open. He asked if it was some kind of joke.

Arthur looked at him and said that his early retirement package was canceled, and that he was terminated for cause, effective immediately.
Richard’s face drained of all color.
He looked like he was going to vomit.
He stammered that he had a contract, but Arthur told him his contract was void due to fraud.
He said the police were waiting in the lobby.

The room erupted into whispers.
People stood up, trying to see.

I stood up from my seat.
I walked up to the podium.
In my hands, I was carrying his green leather golf bag.
I had brought it from the car.

I threw the golf bag onto the floor at his feet.
The metal clubs clattered loudly against the hardwood.