Page 11 of Pay Dirt

“She will before the plane hits the runway,” Gwen said with a smile.

“You’ve thought of everything.” I squeezed my sister tight, knowing she hated it when I invaded her personal space.

“I’ll pick up the package Abby is sending you, and when you get back, we can start trying to hone in on Talia and the other Bennett line.

“Who are Talia and Abby?” Nathan asked.

“She can explain on the plane ride.” Gwen shoved us toward the door with the new luggage. “Oh, one more thing.” Gwen ran to her room and returned with a pair of diamond stud earrings and a diamond bracelet.

“I don’t know about this, Gwen. I might lose these.” I gawked as Gwen fastened the bracelet to my wrist.

“I’d give you the diamond necklace, but we both know you won’t remove your crystal.”

She was right. I never took that thing off and for a good reason. “What if I lose them?”

“It’s okay, Cassie. They’re insured. Besides, you find things.”

The flight was in coach. Nathan offered me the window seat. It was only then thathe told me thathe’d taken this time off to follow up on the lead. That there wouldn’t be any FBI backup or people in play. We were totally going into this alone.

When the plane touched down, we were met by a man holding a sign that readNewman. I would have walked right passed him had Nathan not nudged me and leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Isn’t that you?”

“Cassie Newman?” the driver asked as we approached.

The other people waiting for their loved ones were more down-home casually dressed in wide-brimmed cowboy hats. We’d been greeted with a chauffeur wearing an expensive suit. Apparently, we weren’t going to blend in.

“Yes.”

“Clayton Michaels, FDG.” He grinned and took my carry-on bag, sliding the strap up his shoulder. “I’ll be your driver while you’re in town, and I’ve booked our rooms at a local hotel. Neither Gwen or Mrs. Delany informed me if you had reservations.”

Clayton was a pretty boy. His dark chocolate hair perfectly coifed. His designer suit without a single wrinkle. His smile was filled with mischief, but if what I knew about FDG was true, this man had some secret kick-ass technique that he hid beneath his well-mannered vibe.

“Oh, we don’t need reservations. We’re staying at the farm.” Nathan said.

“A farm?” Clayton asked.

“Yeah, my daddy’s farm, but don’t worry. He’s got an extra room for you too.”

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