Page 131 of See You Again

“So, this is what? A personal vendetta?”

“No.” Cami said sharply, breaking the men’s stare off. “If we can find the truth about David Bloom’s death while also solving Amy's, then that's a win for everyone. My focus, and James knows this, is on Amy’s murder. Her parents deserve that, and this town needs answers to move on.”

Mark was silent for a few minutes, then spread his hands palms up. “Okay, cards on the table. I don’t know where to go from here. I can do a DNA test to prove the necklace was Amy’s, but even with your guy’s testimony, it’s still circumstantial. The only way we are going to get around Crawford’s legal team is with direct evidence. We need his DNA to match the sample left on the vape. I don’t have enough probable cause to get a warrant.”

His cheeks expanded as he exhaled. “If he lived local, maybe I could put him under surveillance to pick up dropped DNA, but even that takes a lot of manpower. This guy lives in another city, and something tells me he’s not dropping cigarette butts on the street.”

Cami chewed her lip. James had tried to warn her that the necklace wasn’t the evidence she hoped, but she was disappointed that Mark didn’t even seem to care.

“What if we got his DNA?”

Mark studied her, and James sighed before explaining the problem. “Same as with the necklace. It’s circumstantial. You aren’t law enforcement, so there’s no chain of custody, and even if you brought it directly to the police, Matt’s team will argue you were working as their agent—no warrant.”

“But we would know.” Cami insisted, looking between the men. “If I document it carefully, maybe even get someone to film me, then Amy’s parents could sue him for wrongful death.”

James looked thoughtful. “There are fewer restrictions in wrongful death cases.” A slow smile lifted his lips. “They could compel him into a deposition, and who knows what that idiot would let slip?”

Mark grimaced. “That might be the only way we can ever get him to talk.”

Cami exchanged a look with James. “And it doesn’t take much for videos to leak anymore. The world would benefit from knowing what a predator Matt Crawford is.”

Mark looked at her, slightly shocked, but James chuckled as he tapped her under the chin. “I love it when you get all vengeful.”

Mark took the last swallow of his coffee and set it down with a thunk, before tossing a couple of bills on the table and coming to his feet. “Let me know if you come up with anything.” With one last narrowed look at James, he strode away.

“Breaking hearts wherever you go these days, huh, Tig? Maybe I should take out an ad so that everyone knows you’re taken.” He tipped her mouth closed and placed a firm kiss against her lips. His gray eyes twinkled when he pulled back.

Did he just say that I am taken? Like for real?

Mark had already left, so there was no need to pretend for his sake. Cami felt like butterflies were trying to beat their way out of her chest.

“Speechless. That’s new.” James laughed and pulled his wallet out. Before Cami could gather her thoughts, she heard her name called excitedly across the diner and turned to see Laura and Whitney, Amy’s friends, waving to her.

“Hey, ladies!” Cami said, joining them by the door.

“We heard ourselves on your podcast.” Laura was beaming.

“Yeah, I had no idea how awful I sounded on tape,” Whitney added, her eyes on James standing just behind Cami.

“I Googled that Matt Crawford guy after I listened. Did you know he’s a movie producer? Probably a Harvey Weinstein wannabe. Gross.”

“Actually, I’m glad I ran into you. Can I show you a photo and you tell me whether or not he’s the man who asked out Amy in the coffee shop?”

“You mean Matt Crawford?” Whitney scrunched her nose. “I just told you I looked him up. Same guy.”

Cami smiled. “I know, but it would be really helpful for the show if I could say I showed you a picture, and you identified him.” She could feel James’s curiosity.

Laura shrugged. “Sure, I guess that makes sense.”

Cami typed some search terms into her phone until she found a picture that served her purposes and held it up for the women to see.

“Do you recognize anyone in this group of people?”

Laura squinted and then pointed her nail. “Yeah, that’s the guy who took Amy out.”

“Anyone else?”

Whitney and Laura glanced at her, confused, but then looked again at the picture.

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