“You don’t want me talking to the police, do you? Worlds could collide. Everyone would know things about you. Bad things.”

The pump clicked off, and I let out a sigh. “Not today, Dawn. I’ve got other stuff going on.”

“The clock is ticking on our agreement.”

“Your agreement. You set the deadline and made the demand.”

“And you have to pay. It’s a simple transaction.”

“I told you. We’re having work done on our yard. I just had to put down a deposit on that. So you have to wait. A few weeks.”

She started shaking her head before the words were even out of my mouth. And she continued to shake once I was finished. I looked at my watch. I wanted to get going. I didn’t want to be dealing with her.

“I need the money.”

“What do you even need it for? I’m sure you’re not giving it to your family.”

She lifted her sunglasses and squinted at me in the growing light. Her eyes were a cool green shade, and as I stared into them, I couldn’t help but think of her two younger sisters. I saw the resemblance in the shape of the face, the thinness of her lips. It was like staring at a ghost from my past.

“I have things I need it for. More than just fixing up my backyard. It’s my own concern.”

“If you told me what it was, maybe I could help you in a different way. Or maybe I’d just be more likely to help. I don’t like what happened to your family. If I could erase it all, I would. I promise.”

Dawn took a step closer and spoke through gritted teeth. “Look, you have one job. Give me the money in twenty-four hours, and your name stays out of the headlines. Got it? You know, I did a little research. Whoever was driving that car that hit my sisters can still face legal jeopardy. Not to mention the civil suit that would follow.”

“Someone already went to jail.”

“But was it the right someone? If the right guy went to jail, why is the guy who sat in the backseat the one bringing my parents money? Anonymously?”

“Just drop it.”

“You’ve never denied it. Not once. Why not just deny it if it wasn’t you?”

I grabbed the pump handle and withdrew it from my car, taking care not to dribble gas on either of our shoes. The pungent fumes hit me in the nose and almost caused a cough. While Dawn hovered nearby I finished the transaction, making sure to ignore her and avoid any eye contact.

“Well?” she said. “What’s the answer? If you want to drive to the bank, I’ll follow you. You can make some of the withdrawal. Call it a down payment.”