Page 84 of Innocent Intent

“One more thing . . .” Davis moved to the table again, peering down at Clark. “You never met her parents, but do you know if they were close? She talk to either of them or visit on a regular basis that you know of?”

Clark quickly shook his head. “Her mom’s dead, and her father’s in prison. I remember she went to see him once and was in a fucked-up mood after. She got drunk as shit that night and passed out, but that’s all I can tell you.”

Davis offered a nod and turned to walk toward the door.

“Ay, is that it? Can I leave now?”

Davis faced Clark with a smug grin, moving back to the table and swiping the phone, which he slipped into his pocket. The last thing he needed was for Clark reaching out to Tia and tip her off. “Unfortunately, no. I can’t guarantee you won’t tip off your girlfriend about our little chat or anything we’ve discussed, so you’ll be here for the next forty-eight hours. I’ll make sure they take good care of you while you’re my guest.”

“What the fuck, man? You can’t do that!”

“Actually, I can. I can keep you here to build a case against you for forty-eight hours. If I don’t, I have to let you go, but by then, I’ll have what I need, and you’ll be free to leave—if you didn’t lie to me, that is. If I find out you did know what Tia was up to and that you were a part of it, I will bury your ass, understood?”

“Man, fuck you and her. I told you I didn’t murder anyone. I don’t even know what you’re talking about. I want a lawyer, now.”

“Sure, but I hope you have one on retainer because, if not, there’s nothing I can do for you.”

“You’re supposed to give me one of those court-appointed ones if I can’t afford one. Ain’t nobody got that kind of money.”

Davis grinned and stepped toward the table. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. Too many TV crime shows. You only get a public defender if we charge you. As of now, I’m not. You’re simply a person of interest. I’ll have someone take you to our holding cell. I appreciate your cooperation, Mr. Clark.”

“Fuck you.”

Davis walked out, closing the door behind him to several more threats and promises that wouldn’t help Clark’s current predicament. If he weren’t careful, he would be charged, just not with murder or accessory to the murder of Williams. Davis was sure he could come up with something.

Captain Jones met Davis just outside the door. “So, I take it we’re losing him in the system for the next forty-eight hours?”

“I need time to verify what he told me. She’s guilty, Captain. All I have to do is tie it all together.”

“Go. I’ll take care of this. You’ve got two days, Davis. That’s it because I have a feeling the minute he walks out of here, he’s going straight to her.”

“Agreed.” Davis removed Clark’s phone from his pocket. “I need to get this upstairs to the tech guys. I have to verify his alibi, which means I need to know what towers his phone and the assistant’s were pinging off of the night Williams was murdered.”

“You don’t have a warrant for this.”

“No, but this will be off the record.”

“Keep it clean, Davis,” Captain warned.

“Always.”

26.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

He read the name on the list multiple times, and as angry as he was at the discovery, he was grateful to have a lead that would undoubtedly get them closer to finding out who actually killed Williams—the how and why would eventually follow.

“You found something.”

“Yes, and it’s not exactly going to help. It gives Tia an alibi, but let’s start with the money.”

“What about it?” Cassidy’s face scrunched, and Davis pointed to the sofa. She sat, and he sat next to her.

“Clark is Tia’s boyfriend. Did you know she was dating anyone?”

“Not until recently. Over the years, she’s had a few men in her life, nothing serious.” Davis scowled, and she immediately felt concerned.

“What’s that look?”

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