Page 18 of Pay Dirt

“If there’s oil there, I’ll cut you in on it.”

I led him back toward the house. “I don’t want your money, Mr. Murray. I just may need your help in keeping the reason why we’re here a secret. You see the killer might have seen me while I waiting on my client. Since then, I’ve dyed my hair, my sister made me fake documents, and we’ve gone through a whole lot of trouble to help your son. So, if you don’t mind, please keep our secret, until we leave. I’d really like to help Nathan find the peace that’s been eluding him.”

“Did he tell you that?” he asked.

“I read it in his blue eyes.”

“I’ll keep your secret if you do one thing for me.”

“The oil wasn’t enough?” I asked with a chuckle.

“If you find the killer and he’s a local, I want to know about it.”

“I don’t think—”

“Take it or leave it, Ms. Newman, or should I say, Bennett?”

I shook my head. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. You’re old school. You probably believe in an eye for an eye.”

He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped the oil from my fingers. “I won’t kill him,” he said, lifting his gaze to mine. “You have my word, just like you have my word we’re splitting the profits on the oil.”

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