Denver petroleum geologist, Cortlandt Scott, despite a successful and financially rewarding career, has tired of selling oil deals. Seeking new challenges while keeping in touch with the oil and gas community, he decides to try his hand as a private investigator. Hoping to capitalize on his inside knowledge, Cort opens his new venture, Crude Investigations, over the objections of his best friend, Denver homicide detective, Tom Montgomery. Off to a slow start, his first clients turn out to be old friends so he's comfortable in taking on their request to evaluate a questionable drilling prospect. His first case turns out to involve not only a shady oil deal but deep seated sibling rivalries, money problems, and a mysterious newly formed oil company.Scott's personal life is in as much a state of change as his business. Long time girlfriend, Gerri German, another geologist, has started her own gas exploration company and has generated a prospect that could contain huge reserves. With Cort Scott as her primary investor, a successful discovery could make them both rich. When Scott's case takes an unexpected and violent turn, Gerri, unwittingly, becomes involved.Dirty money, tragedy, love, soul searching introspection, betrayal, violence, and redemption all play roles as Cortlandt Scott investigates THE MURDER PROSPECT.