Page 53 (1/2)

The ash on Stella’s cigarette had grown to a s inch It fell in a shower of sparks to scatter unnoticed on the tabletop Stella’s gaze was sharp and knowing, as if she’d already seen through the

lie and eighing the truth behind it Marie was just beginning to realize how se of fear almost took her breath away

“You know that perjury is a cri moment’s silence

“Only under oath I’o that far”

“The sheriff will have you sign a sworn statement Are you prepared to do that?”

“Under the right conditions”

“Of course” Stella leaned back in her chair and took a long drag on the stub of her cigarette “How much?”

Marie forced herself to breathe “That’s the wrong question I don’t want to be paid I want a chance to earn what I’m worth Lute told me you had a lot ofuhbusiness connections”

“Lute was a little turd He got what he deserved”

“Maybe so But I’m older than Lute and a helluva lot sanization I want a piece of the action”

Stella dropped her cigarette butt on the floor and stubbed it out with her boot “Are you sh not to double-cross me like Lute did?”

“I’d have to be crazy to do so like that”

Stella rose with a weary sigh “All right, I’ll think about it But before I take you on, you’ll need to prove yourself My laill be here too to the jail and Abner will take your state tellsmy brother waslet’s say, aard for him After Nicky’s out of jail, I may have another job for you One question—can you drive a semi truck?”

“I don’t have a license, but htand spell him when he was too drunk to drive”

“Good” Stella walked partway down the hall toward the office where she kept her purse, then glanced back at Marie “Clean up that cigarette et some sleep I’ll want you down here to meet with the lawyer at nine”