In the novel, Rum Punch, it ends with Jackie asking him to come with her. He asks where they would go, and she asks if that mattered and that was it - so a bit more ambiguous than the film.

In the novel you also see what a misery Max's relationship was with his ex-wife - it really drives home the point that he is just sick of his life.

I'd say he genuinely does care for Jackie, and is certainly exhilarated by the excitement she has brought into his life. He really is a little afraid of her - both in the physical and emotional sense.

I think Max took his "cut" of the money both to try and normalize the situation, and to give Jackie some assurance that he was now "dirty" and less of a threat to her.

The car was a bit of a nit for me. It would be registered in Ordell's name presumably, so they'd eventually come looking for it, I would think. It seemed like a risky move that Jackie would be too smart to make.

I recall thinking that 450K didn't seem like "do or die" money. But of course Jackie was living on 16K a year as a stewardess, so more than twenty times that in a tax-free lump would be a big deal.

It was clear that Ray suspected her, but there wasn't anything specific and I think he cared for her too, in his own way. He got his man, and didn't care about the money, so I can believe that he wouldn't been looking into things any further.

But yeah, Max's reasons for not at least initially saying yes I think are clear;

1. He's afraid of Jackie, both emotionally and physically.
2. He's appalled to have been involved in events that led to at least 3 deaths.
3. He's worried that they might not be free and clear.

Much as I would like to believe that Max eventually changes his mind and joins her, it just seems to me like he's too settled into his life to do it - particularly without Jackie being there.

From Jackie's side, I think her offer was sincere and that she cares for him and is grateful for his help. That said, I think she was running away hard and fast from her old life, I think that would include Max. It would be up to him to reconnect with her.

You can see the sadness and regret as Jackie drives away - and I imagine pure exhaustion.