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“Callum, you don’t have to hold yourself responsible for my safety If the person who shot your father finds out e learned today, then we are in this together The sauard but if the killer succeeds and Evie and I die, it won’t be your fault It will be the killer’s”

He glanced at her sharply, as though he hadn’t even realized where his reaction had co

“I wouldn’t want you to feel guilty if anything happens to me, and I’”

His cell phone rang, interrupting what Hazel had hoped would turn into a ful conversation

“Hi, Marlowe,” he said

Hazel waited while he listened

“All right We’ll stop by now” Then he said to her, “Marlowe asked if I’d stop by the office so she can talk to me”

“About what?”

“She said Payne’s assistant found soht be another clue” He called Kerry next, asking her to meet theather up everyone in the family and meet them in Marlowe’s office

He was quiet the rest of the way and Hazel wondered if what she had said occupied his mind

Callu other than what Hazel had said just before Marlowe called He hadn’t even realized his fear was so great that he ht not be able to keep Hazel safe That meant he already felt at least as ht ca that what he had with Hazel went far deeper That only terrified him more

Hazel was right He couldn’t blame himself if someone else killed her But he could blame himself if he didn’t do his job and protect both her and Evie

Arriving at Colton Oil, he was happy to have other things to keep hiht for Marlowe’s office

“That didn’t take you long,” Marlowe said, standing