Page 87 of Innocent Intent

Prison had hardened him. His head was now shaved bald, and his features were those of a man who had seen better days. There were healed scars, battle wounds that hadn’t been present in the photos Davis came across of Arnold before or after the trial, likely from getting his ass handed to him while inside. Nobody liked rapists and murderers, but they especially didn’t like them when their crimes victimized innocent women. A guarantee to a hard time on the inside was to make it known that you were there for harming women, children, or the elderly.

“You look like shit,” Davis droned.

“I’m not sure what you expect. This isn’t exactly a spa retreat.”

Davis searched his face again. Arnold got antsy under his critical gaze.

“You gonna tell me why the fuck they dragged me out of my cell to come see you, or should I demand to leave?”

“Got better things to do?” Davis arched a brow, and Arnold scowled.

“Maybe. Now, what the fuck do you want?”

“Tia Murphy.”

Arnold’s expression mirrored confusion, as if the name didn’t register, and Davis added, “She visited you a few months ago. She’s the only person who’s visited you in years.”

A flicker of recognition flashed in Arnold’s eyes. “Yeah, what about her?”

“You know who she is?”

“I’ve been here too damn long, Detective. She’s the only visitor I’ve ever had. Of course, I know who she is. Just didn’t remember her name.”

“Because it’s not the one you and your wife gave her?”

Arnold stared at Davis. Neither spoke for a long moment, and Davis was the first to break the silence.

“Why did your daughter come to visit you? After all this time, you’ve had no contact. Why now?”

He scoffed his annoyance. “You’d have to ask her. I never denied the girl, even when I should have. She’s always had access. She’s my kid. Guess there wasn’t much appeal about visiting your old man in prison when he’s been accused of killing and raping women.”

“Convicted. You were found guilty.”

Arnold smiled. “Seems that way, doesn’t it.”

Davis felt his anger rising. The smug bastard wasn’t in the least bit accepting of the things he’d done. What he’d learned of the man reading articles from throughout the trial was that he always maintained his innocence. He insisted the sex had been consensual, and not once had he murdered any of the women he slept with. Since his conviction, he’d stuck to that same story. Occasionally, he’d been quoted in articles and interviews stating how the women wanted everything he gave them. He bragged about sleeping with the women, and it occasionally getting a little rough, but that it had always been a willing exchange on both sides. Never rape.

“I don’t give a shit about any of that and damn sure don’t give a damn about you admitting to crimes I’m certain you committed . . .”

“Then what do you give a damn about, Detective? My baby girl? You here to ask for her hand in marriage, to see if I care whether you have your way with her? She’s grown up quite nicely. I can see why you might want a piece of her. Hell, if she wasn’t my kid, I would want a piece of her.”

The insinuation made Davis feel sick to his stomach. Arnold was more or less admitting to considering a sexual encounter with his own child. However, coming from a man as morally corrupt as Arnold was known to be, Davis shouldn’t have been surprised, but he was still appalled.

Sick son of a bitch.

“I want to know why she was here. What did she say to you?”

“What’s it worth to you?”

Davis flooded with rage and leaned across the table. “You should be asking what cooperating with me is worth to you, asshole.”

Arnold smiled again, seemingly unbothered. “I’m in hell, Detective.” Arnold’s eyes traveled around their room before landing on Davis again. “Have been since the day they put me in this cage of death. What the fuck can you do for me that can change my current position? Your threats don’t mean a gotdamn thing.”

“This place might be hell, but you haven’t felt the type of hell I can bring into your life with a few promises to some of the people in here with you. If you don’t cooperate, I’m sure they will. From what I hear, they already don’t like you very much around here. Can’t imagine that would get any better if they got a green light to make your hell more of a gotdamn nightmare than you’re already living. Now, what did she say?”

He watched Arnold consider what he said, and eventually, he caved. “I got enough enemies in here as it is. Not looking to gain more. You want to know what the crazy bitch said? Fine, I’ll tell you.”

Davis expanded his chest and leaned back, waiting.

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