Page 97 of Innocent Intent

“Are you really asking me that? The man showed up with a gun, silencer affixed, to talk me into taking money as a payoff not to tell you who he really was. Too many loose ends. For all I knew, he left that gun there to make me feel comfortable while he got another from the bedroom to shoot me with. It was me or him. I chose me. I’m sure you can understand that.”

“But he didn’t have another gun?”

“No, he didn’t. He had twenty grand, which he planned on giving me as a sign of good faith that he would pay me the rest of the money if I let this go.” She shrugged.

That explains the twenty grand she gave Clark to deposit into her account.

“And then what?”

“At the time, I had no idea. If you hadn’t followed him that night, then I never would have needed to frame you for killing him. So, technically, that was your fault.”

Cassidy laughed, shaking her head. “It’s my fault you killed my husband and tried to frame me for it.”

“I didn’t want you to die or be framed for murder. All I wanted was what you owed. How much have you made over the years because you lied to me? New York Times bestseller, speaking engagements, interviews. I deserved some of that—all of it, really.”

“And you’re not getting any of it. The only thing you’re walking away with is permanent residency in a cell where you’ll be stuck for a very long time. Like father like daughter, I suppose.”

“You sound so sure, but I would be inclined to disagree.”

“You just confessed everything. Why on earth would you believe you can walk away from this?”

Tia leaned back, smiling assuredly. “I confessed to you. I’ve learned a few things from being around you, Cass. Everything I said here to you is off the record. Not admissible in court. None of what I said in here matters.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. It does matter.”

Cassidy and Tia both turned their focus to the door when DA Greene stepped into the room. Cassidy understood what was happening, but Tia did not. There was no way in hell she would walk away from this. The confession she’d just given wouldn’t be admissible, but the DA had everything she needed to get a conviction.

“Who are you?”

“District Attorney Greene. I’ll be the one bringing charges against you. The burning question is . . . What those charges will be.”

“Definitely won’t be murder,” Tia said confidently.

Greene smiled casually and approached the table, placing a legal pad and pen in front of Tia.

“What’s this?”

“Where you’re going to write your confession.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because although confessing to Cassidy won’t make it to court, premeditated murder will.”

“Premeditated means planned. I never planned to kill anyone. I’m sure you heard everything I said and know my decision was more of a reaction to my circumstances.”

“Possibly, but what I will present is that you planned to kill him, which is why you orchestrated an entire production under the guise of creating an alibi, met him at his apartment, and shot him. You then proceeded to plant evidence that would convince the police into thinking that Cassidy was the one who shot her husband.”

“I never did that.”

“You did, Ms. Murphy. You were the one who made sure her gun ended up in our custody. Only you hadn’t planned on your print being what we found when we had it.”

Tia’s eyes nervously moved from Cassidy back to DA Greene. “That’s not what happened.”

“Says who? Because that’s how I’ll be presenting the case against you. You’re more than welcome to try your luck in front of a jury, but that might not be the smartest decision. You purposely sought out Cassidy with predatory intentions, had an affair with Niles, and plotted to steal her money because you felt she owed you something. When that didn’t work out as planned, you murdered her husband. I’m pretty sure I can convince a jury of your peers to convict you without breaking a sweat. You can take your chances, or you can take the deal I’m offering you.”

Tia didn’t speak until Greene made sure she understood she meant business. “I’m going to take your silence to mean you’re declining my offer.” Before she could take her first step, Tia spoke up. “What’s the deal?”

“Man one. Ten years. Eight if you can keep your nose clean while you’re in there. That’s the best you’ll get, but at least you’ll have a chance to salvage some of what’s left of your life.”

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