Page 83 of Innocent Intent

“Not if she didn’t disclose where she got the money. No knowledge, no accountability, right? Isn’t that some shit y’all say, Detective?”

“Maybe, but you already said she intended to avoid paying taxes. That’s a federal offense, and you were willing to help. That is a crime, Benji.”

His face tensed. “Stop fucking calling me Benji. Look, I don’t know why I’m here or what you want me to tell you, but if it means you forget I said that, I’ll say whatever you want.”

“September sixth. Can you tell me if the two of you were together on that date?”

“How the fuck am I supposed to remember that?”

“Don’t care, but I suggest you try because if not . . .”

“Man . . .” Clark moved, and Davis pushed away from the wall before he held a hand up. “Phone. You already patted me down, so you know I don’t have shit on me.”

Davis nodded for him to continue, and Clark leaned back, removing his phone and unlocking it as he scanned the messages.

“What date was that again?”

“September sixth.”

Clark smiled and massaged his chin. “Yeah, we were together. All night, actually.”

“Are you sure?”

“Hell yeah, I’m sure.” He slid his phone across the table. Davis walked over and picked up the device, reading the texts on the screen.

You serious, shorty?

Yeah, I’m serious. Unless you’re not with it.

Nah, I’m definitely with it. Just didn’t think you meant it when you put it out there. We can do that shit tonight if you’re game.

I’ll see you tonight then at my place.

Bet, what time?

Ten.

“What’s this about?”

“She kept talking shit about making a movie of us. The day you’re asking about was the night we did it. Wanna see it?”

“You made a sex tape with Tia?”

“Yeah, she recorded it on her phone. We fucked for hours doing a bunch of wild shit. We both passed out at like three that morning. She recorded the entire night on some freaky shit. You sure you don’t want to see it,” Clark taunted.

“No, I don’t want to see it, but I do need you to send it to me as evidence.”

“Evidence, yeah, right.” Clark chuckled smugly, and Davis wanted to punch him in the face to mellow the guy’s arrogance.

He wasn’t opposed to porn, but Davis had no interest in watching a homemade recording of the woman who could potentially be a key factor in keeping the woman he was falling for innocent. Had fallen for. Tia was the key to preventing Cassidy from being convicted of a crime Davis felt sure she hadn’t committed.

“What’s your number? I can send it now.”

Davis removed his wallet, slid out a business card, and tossed it on the table. “Send it to that email.”

He watched Clark navigate through his phone, attach the video, and then send it after a few swipes and taps. Once he was done, Clark tossed his phone on the table and leaned back. “Done. Can I go now?”

Davis did a quick mental sweep of everything he thought Clark could help with, which wasn’t much at this point, and one thing bothered him. Tia hadn’t existed before college. If he could find out more about her family, then he could potentially find out more about her. Any assistance pointing in the right direction would save time.

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