Page 62 of Innocent Intent

“You think I’m happy about this?”

“I think you have a job to do, and emotions aren’t really a necessity.”

“Funny you say that . . .”

The look he gave had Cassidy squaring her shoulders. She felt what was coming next.

“What’s the deal with you and Davis?”

“There is no deal.”

“You sure about that? Because from where I’m sitting, it looks to be very much like something is going on between the two of you.”

“Maybe you should find another seat then, Captain, or another source. I’m sure Harper’s been telling his version of what he thinks is between Nathaniel and I.”

Captain angled his head to the side. “So you admit there’s something between you and Detective Davis?”

She noted that he used his official title because of her slip addressing Davis by his first name. “I’m admitting that Harper is using false accusations to paint a narrative that doesn’t exist.”

It was a lie, or at least had been before Davis dragged her in here. She couldn’t imagine he’d risk his career for her or anyone, for that matter. The avoidance of compromising his career had brought him to Atlanta in the first place.

“He’s been spending time with you at your home, Cass. The two of you took off for New York together. He got you here in record time, which leads me to believe you two were already together when I called him. That seems like something to me.”

She opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by someone else.

“Results are back.”

Cassidy lifted her eyes to Davis, who’d suddenly appeared. Captain Jones turned to Davis and shook his head in annoyance. He paid Cassidy one last glance and then left, leaving the two of them.

“Well?”

Davis moved closer to the cell but didn’t make a move to let her out, which only had Cassidy’s stomach twisting.

“We found a partial print on the gun.”

“It was my gun. Makes sense that my prints were on it.”

“It does, which is also interesting, considering that the partial didn’t match you. In fact, it completely excludes you as the one who handled the weapon.”

Cassidy frowned but watched his expression closely. She sensed that Davis was not happy about the news.

“Did you want it to be a match?”

He released a sigh, staring at her intently. “Of course not. Why would you think I’d want solid evidence attaching you to this?”

“Because you seem disappointed that it’s not.”

“I’m disappointed that I’m at a dead end yet again.”

“So I assume that means you’re not booking me.”

Davis didn’t speak. He only stepped away and held his hand out, requesting the keys from a uniformed officer who was close by. She handed them over, and then Davis moved back toward the holding cell to let Cassidy out. She shivered, brushing her hands over her arms to settle her nerves.

“So, did you run the partial?”

Davis shook his head, staring at Cassidy. “I can’t tell you that.”

“Right. Boundaries. Boundaries we should have had and maintained from the beginning. If I’m free to go . . .”

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