Page 68 of Innocent Intent

Davis remained calm while he noticed Tia growing defensive. Her body language shifted—shoulders tensed, eyes narrowed. “When people are truly in love, you don’t have to be around them daily to sense that love. Simple interactions are enough.”

He nodded. “I agree. If that’s what they truly want you to believe. But nothing’s perfect, and everyone has secrets. Every marriage has cracks on the surface. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“That everyone has secrets, yes. As for marriage, I couldn’t say. I’ve never been married before, so I’m not an expert on the matter.”

Davis had gotten her riled up and decided to shift things a little. “Working for Cassidy meant having access to her and her life, correct?”

“Yes, but only specific things.”

“How much access did you have to her home?”

“I’ve been to her home only while Cassidy was there. Never alone.”

Defensive. Interesting.

“What about when she traveled on vacation with her husband? Did she rely on you to collect the mail, water the plants, feed the pets?”

“Cassidy didn’t have pets, and her plants are fake. As for mail, she’s never been gone for more than a few days at a time. No need to worry about an overflow in that short span, so no.”

“Have you ever had keys to her home? You know, just in case of an emergency or to run by and pick up something, drop something off?”

“No. Again, Cassidy was a very private person and also very responsible. Not the type to have emergencies that would require me to have access to her home while she wasn’t there.”

“And how was your relationship with Niles? The two of you close?”

“Close, no. We communicated sometimes when he wanted to surprise Cassidy and needed to align his schedule with hers. I’d been enlisted to make dinner reservations and even suggested a few gift items for him, but that was the extent of our dealings. I worked for Cassidy, not her husband.”

“But you occasionally dealt with him outside of your communications with Cassidy.”

“If you’re asking if I spent time with the man, the answer is no. If your next question is, was I sleeping with him, the answer is also no. I respect Cassidy far too much for that, and I respect my paycheck even more.”

“Why would you assume I would ask if you were having an affair with Cassidy’s husband?”

“I watch enough TV to know that speculation of the pretty assistant sleeping with the husband is always in the back of everyone’s minds.”

Davis smirked. “I’m sure you understand why that is. You are quite beautiful, Ms. Murphy,” he said ironically. He wasn’t flirting, only noting that she’d referenced herself as the pretty assistant. She glowered at his compliment, so Davis continued. “So she pays you well?”

“Very. Better than I can expect to be paid as an assistant anywhere else, which is why I wouldn’t risk my job by sleeping with her husband.”

“Noted.”

“Is that all, Detective? I have a busy day and would love to grab a bite to eat in peace before I get to it.”

Davis nodded and rose from his chair. “That’s all I have for now, but I may reach out if I think of anything else. Would that be okay?”

“Do I have a choice?”

His smile expanded. “No, actually, you don’t, but it makes the process a lot smoother if you cooperate, and I don’t have to go through alternative methods to question you, Ms. Murphy.”

“I have no issue cooperating. I’ll do anything I can to help Cassidy. She didn’t do this. You have to know that.”

“What I know is that someone killed Jerrod Williams, and it’s my job to figure out who that person is, regardless of what I think or feel I know. I’ll be relying on the facts to make my case.”

“Then I do not doubt that those facts will lead to you figuring out that person is not Cassidy.”

He held her stare for a moment longer. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Ms. Murphy. I’ll be in touch.”

“I assume you have my number and know how to find me.”

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