Page 2 of Innocent Intent

“Makes sense. Can’t have your name and face attached to someone of your caliber if you’re trying to fly under the radar.”

Or if you’re cheating on your wife.

“Welcome to Roman’s Grill. Can I take your drink order?”

Cassidy lifted her eyes to the server that joined them. She already had her meal: chicken Caesar salad, fresh Italian bread, and a glass of wine. While Greg placed his order for an imported beer and pastrami sandwich, she busied herself watching the people passing by.

Once his food arrived, the two ate, and the conversion shifted away from Cassidy’s personal life to the recent cases Greg had been working. He wouldn’t dare miss the opportunity to pick the brain of an old colleague about things that could possibly give a different perspective.

When they finished their meal, and the server placed the leather binder holding the bill on the table, Greg quickly handed over his card to cover the meal. Cassidy had appreciated the distraction and temporary escape from her life, so she argued that she would pay, but Greg eventually won the battle.

“Well, thanks so much for this. I enjoyed catching up. I almost miss that life. It feels like an eternity separates then and now instead of a few years. The lectures and book signings aren’t as exciting as being out there and having firsthand experience with the case files I used for teaching purposes.”

“And it’s also not as mentally taxing. Trust me, you’ve got the better deal. Be grateful you escaped before it totally weighed down on you. I have my good and bad days, mostly bad, though.”

“You’re right, but I still miss it.”

Greg nodded and held up a hand just as a call came through. “Let me take this real quick.” Before she could give her parting words, knowing it was time to get back to her life, Greg accepted the call. Cassidy thought leaving without saying goodbye would be rude, so she waited.

“How many? Where? Our guys already there?” He lifted his eyes to Cassidy, who assumed it was a work-related call, which was confirmed moments later.

“I’m not far from there now. I’m on my way,” Gregory rattled off and then ended the conversation.

“Work?”

“Yeah. Shooting in an apartment building not far from here, one of those fancy high-rises. Housekeeper came in and found the body. Never-ending cycle,” he muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Seems that way.”

“I’m gonna head out. It was good seeing you, Cass. Glad you’re doing well.”

“Same. I really do miss you guys, you know.”

Greg nodded and then smiled. “You wanna head over there with me. You know, for old time’s sake. Remind yourself why you shouldn’t miss this too much.”

Cassidy smiled and shook her head. “No, thank you. I’ll leave that to the experts.”

“Which you are. Might do you some good to get back out there. Shake up the fancy, mundane life you’re living these days.”

She laughed lightly. “Or it might do you some good to have another set of eyes on your crime scene.”

“Yeah, that too. What do you say?”

“I, uhhh . . .” Cassidy frowned, thinking about the prospect. She hadn’t been in the field in years and hadn’t planned on going back to it, but the thought of going home to sit and overthink the situation she recently found herself in with her husband was a little far less intriguing. She would have to deal with her life at some point, but for now, she decided to take the out.

“Oh hell, why not.”

“That’s what I’m talking about. Let’s go. You can ride with me, and I’ll bring you back later to get your car.”

“Sounds good.”

As Detective Harper pulled in front of the building where the shooting was reported, Cassidy’s heart rate galloped. How much of a coincidence was it that there had been a murder in the same building where she’d been the night before?

She thought carefully about declining the offer to go inside after her mind spiraled toward all the things she hadn’t considered the night before. The cameras, possible witnesses, her cell phone pinging off a nearby tower. What if it was her husband who had been murdered?

Relax.

There was no way those things would matter. At best, the world would find out that her husband was a lying, cheating asshole because he was most certainly alive. The universe wouldn’t be so cruel. As hurt and angry as she was, she wouldn’t wish death on the man who broke her heart. This was all just one big coincidence. One that meant she would have to burden herself with the hassle of marriage counseling or divorce.

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