Innocent Intent

by K.C. Mills

Genres: Psychological Thrillers

Synopsis

When a wife becomes the prime suspect in her husband’s murder, this criminal psychologist must forget everything she thought she knew in order to clear her name in this debut psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Shanora Williams’ The Wife Before.

Cassidy Evans is the blueprint. As a Criminal Psychologist, Cassidy is a savant. She spent years solving groundbreaking cases by shifting through the minds and behaviors of those driven by the darkness that controls them. After years of dedicated field work, Cassidy decides to retire and share her expertise of killers’ mentalities as a novelist.

As a published author, she’s now happily married and spends most of her time traveling the world and sharing with others how to understand the twisted minds that drive bad behaviors. Unfortunately, with all of the knowledge that Cassidy is armed with, she somehow overlooks the lies of the person closest to her. When she tags along to a crime scene with and old colleague, Cassidy is shocked to discover that the victim is her husband. If that’s not enough to send her world spiraling, she also finds out that the identity of the murdered victim, doesn’t match the name on their marriage license.

Things quickly escalate when Cassidy becomes the main suspect. Not knowing the man she is married to is the least of Cassidy’s problems. Everyone believes she is a murderer, and none more than the lead detective on the case¾Nathanial Davis. He is determined to find the truth while proving to the world that Cassidy isn’t who she claims to be. In doing so, he decides to keep Cassidy close while digging through her past to uncover all of her untold truths.

While she’s hiding secrets that could totally destroy the world she spent years building, Cassidy learns that things are never what they seem. With such an intricate familiarity of seeing through lies, how is it that Cassidy is happily married to a man who she loves and adores, but doesn’t truly know? Suddenly, losing her career is far less important than maintaining her freedom. In the end, she may lose both.

Release date: June 25, 2024

Publisher: Black Odyssey Media

Print pages: 288

Sample

EmotionalMistakes

September 5, 2024

10:30 p.m.

There’s only you, Cass. No one but you.

Those words played over and over again in Cassidy’s mind. As much as she wanted to believe them, her instincts dispelled the lie and hovered like a dark cloud, looming with betrayal. The possibility of her worst fears was crawling up her spine. After all, she had spent the better part of her life being a human lie detector. Dr. Cassidy Evans, bestselling author, accomplished criminal psychologist, and forensic profiler, was the best at her job. With certainty. If that were truly the case, why couldn’t she say with certainty that her husband, the man to whom she’d pledged her life with vows of love and loyalty, who’d pledged his love to her, wasn’t betraying those vows?

I would know.

I should know.

But I don’t.

The car in front of her turned left, so she turned left. The brake lights illuminated, cutting through the darkness as the vehicle slowed, then paused at the parking garage entrance. Cassidy watched while an arm extended from the car. She recognized the expensive fabric of the track jacket that covered that arm and swallowed thickly as a white plastic card was waved in front of a sensor. Seconds later, the gate lifted, and the late model BMW glided into the parking garage. Cassidy gripped her steering wheel, sucked in a cleansing breath, and advanced toward that same entrance. She had no access card available, so she pressed the button, removed the parking ticket, and slowly crept in, swiping her head left and right trying to locate the vehicle she was following.

On the second level, she found a spot tucked in the corner and kept her eyes on the tall, lean figure who moved through the garage with his phone to his ear, smiling in the way that would normally cause her stomach to flutter. Today, that smile had nausea crawling within.

She quickly got out of her vehicle and hurried behind him but maintained enough of a distance to go unnoticed, grateful that he was lost in the conversation he was deeply engaged in. He had no clue that he was being followed, which meant he spoke freely, and Cassidy’s chest grew tighter.

“I’m on my way. I told you I would be here. I keep my promises, sweetheart.”

That was the last thing Cassidy heard before he entered the metal car. She paused and watched the numbers above the steel doors illuminate with the up arrow as soon as the doors separated them. She moved toward the elevator, her foot bouncing as she watched the numbers crawl. L for lobby, 1, 2, and then 3. Third floor. He was on the third floor. The number on the display paused briefly before descending, and the metal doors in front of Cassidy slowly peeled open. The car was empty. She struggled with stepping inside, hands misting over, heart racing, pulse thrumming rapidly in her neck. This one moment could change her life. Cassidy wasn’t sure she was ready to have her world turned upside down, so she stepped away. On the way back to her car, she removed her phone and dialed, holding her breath until she heard the automated voice.

Please leave a message . . .

Cassidy dialed several more times, back-to-back, and each time got the same result. On the last call, she decided to leave a message. What was there to lose? He was a liar, a cheater. Maybe he would leave his sweetheart whose promises he kept and come home to explain and beg for forgiveness that Cassidy wouldn’t give.

“I can’t believe that you would do this to me. To us. This ruins everything—everything, Niles. I’ll make you regret this. You’re going to regret fucking me over. I promise you’ll regret this.”

After ending the call and sliding into the driver’s seat, Cassidy’s fingers burned from her tight grip on her phone. Her heart ached. Tears were falling, and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it.

“How could you?” she whispered.

There’s only you, Cass. No one but you.

Cassidy’s logical mind knew that she should leave. Nothing good would come from confronting the situation this way. She had far too much to lose. Her career, her reputation. She would become a headline and not the type she had been proud of in the past. But still, she couldn’t bring herself to leave. Cassidy needed answers, so she did the worst thing possible, the one decision that would change her life forever . . .

She stayed.

1.

“Cassidy? Is that you?”

After the night she’d had, the last thing that Cassidy wanted was to deal with anyone. She’d only left the house because the walls seemed to be closing in on her. She hadn’t arrived home until well after three in the morning, removed her clothes, showered, and then crawled into bed. At lunchtime, she felt anxious and decided getting out of the house would be the best option. Fresh air could do her some good, and lunch at one of her favorite places felt like a smart option. But now, not so much.

“It is . . .” She forced a smile and tucked a few loose tendrils of hair behind her ear. The blunt-cut bob she’d talked herself into was cute but not very functional when she wanted to throw in a ponytail for a low-maintenance day. “Greg, how are you?”

Cassidy watched cautiously as her old friend and colleague, Detective Gregory Harper, approached. He was dressed in his norm—slacks, a starched and pressed button-up shirt with a sports coat, and loafers. Neat but not very stylish.

“Great, actually. Just stepped out to grab a bite to eat. Mind if I join you?”

Yes.

God, yes, I mind.

“No, not at all.” She silently cursed herself for not requesting to be seated inside, which offered a bit more privacy. The outdoor area was filled with small, metal, high tables, and you could sit wherever you liked. It also offered fresh air and a perfect view of the outdoor shopping center where the restaurant was located. Cassidy had planned to grab a bite and, hopefully, be distracted for a while people-watching. It had become a thing for her years ago. People-watching was a bit of a treat and a challenge for someone constantly analyzing others’ behaviors. Cassidy had hoped for a distraction but not that of an old colleague.

“You sure . . .” When her eyes lifted to Greg, she noticed the pinched look of concern and quickly forced another smile.

“I’m sure. It’s been a while. I’d love to catch up.” She flicked her wrist, motioning for him to sit across from her. The table only had room for two high-back stools, one of which she currently occupied.

“So, how are things? It feels like forever since I’ve seen you. With all the hype and success you have now, I’m actually shocked to see you out here alone.”

Cassidy smiled softly. She was a bit of a celebrity, but only to those who were privy to the world she lived in. Criminal psychologists were a far cry from other celebrities such as athletes, musicians, and other entertainers. Cassidy didn’t need to travel with security or hide behind low-sitting hats and oversized sunglasses. She could hide in plain sight for the most part. However, she did occasionally get recognized, primarily by others in her field or college students who studied her work, intending to follow in Cassidy’s footsteps.

“I’m no one important.”

Greg offered a genuine smile. “Your book has been trending. Hit number one on the New York Times Bestseller List. I purchased a copy or two myself. I’d call that important. Not to mention all the traveling and speaking engagements. You’re a big deal, Cass.”

“To some, maybe,” she offered humbly before arching a brow. “You read my book?”

Greg smiled bashfully. “Well, no, but I’ve worked enough cases with you to know it’s nothing but the good stuff, and don’t downplay your success, Cass—more than just some. Because of you, the world is a safer place. The cases you’ve helped solve, a few of my own actually . . .” He paused and winked. “And the knowledge you’re offering those that are coming behind you . . . You’re more than important. You’re necessary. It hurt a little when you decided to stay behind the scenes and no longer showed up on crime scenes. We miss you.”

“I miss you guys too, but I had to step back. It got to be a little much.” She hesitated. “It weighs on you, you know?”

Gregory nodded with understanding. “I do. Every day is a constant struggle between finding the good in things when the evil, poisonous ways of people always surround you. Can’t say I blame you for stepping away. Also can’t say I was happy about it, but I understand.” He offered another genuine smile.

“So, I guess I should not only congratulate you on your new career path but on your personal life as well. Word on the street is that you’re married now.”

She cringed slightly before lowering her eyes to the modest diamond on her finger. “I am.”

“Well, congratulations. Didn’t see that coming. I’m pretty sure you told me more than a few times that marriage wasn’t for people like us.”

Cassidy laughed lightly, although her chest pinched just a little. “I did, and I still feel that way. We see and experience so much that it’s hard to block that out and trust enough to let our guard down.”

“But you did,” he offered quietly before adding, “Or, at least, I think you did.”

Cassidy frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Gregory pointed to her hand. “You’re wearing that fancy ring, and I’ve heard the rumors but can’t say for certain anyone has ever seen the guy.”

Relaxing a bit, Cassidy nodded. “We keep our lives private. It works better that way for both of us. With my past, dealing with and working the type of cases I did, and now the book? Things can get a little crazy. We wanted as much of a normal life as possible.”

“Makes sense. So what does he do? I’m curious to know what type of man got and kept your attention long enough to get you to say I do.”

Grinning, Cassidy glanced at her ring again before her eyes met Greg’s. “He’s a PI. More on the private sector end. He travels a lot, locating missing persons. Some who have simply lost their way, and others who don’t want to be found but have loved ones who need to know they’re alive. Another reason for keeping our lives private. Anonymity is necessary for him to keep a low profile for work and all.”

It wasn’t until that very moment that Cassidy realized there might be other reasons her husband insisted on keeping their lives hidden away from prying eyes. She lifted the glass of wine she’d been sipping and swallowed a few hefty gulps, hoping Greg didn’t notice the shift in her mood. He was a detective, after all. Capturing the little things was his job, and he was damn good at it.

“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.

If he cheated, could I forgive him?

No. Absolutely not.

“Cass, you okay?” The frown on Greg’s face had her climbing out of the dark hole her thoughts had sunk into.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

She wasn’t fine. Her mind was sprinting in a million different directions, but something deep within, that small voice that she wanted to ignore but couldn’t, was clawing at the back of her brain, pushing in a way that meant she was going through with this.

“Good, let’s go.”

Cassidy exited the car and followed Greg through the massive glass doors to enter the building, through the lobby, and then to the elevator. She remained quiet as they stepped inside, only for her heart to race again once he punched the third floor. Her mind flashed back to the night prior.

Just a coincidence.

Once they reached the third floor, Cassidy’s past came flooding back. It had been years since she’d found herself submerged in a situation like the current one, but not much had changed. Truthfully, only the faces and the location.

A uniformed officer met them outside the apartment as they neared the crime scene. While they both slipped on the protective booties and latex gloves that were handed over, an officer brought Gregory up to speed on what they’d discovered thus far. Once properly suited to avoid compromising the crime scene, Cassidy slowly scanned her surroundings. She took in the lingering residents and the handful of people working the scene, moving in and out of the apartment. Nothing seemed out of place. Just a typical crime scene. It wasn’t until the uniformed officer extended a gloved hand toward Gregory that Cassidy brought her focus back to them.

The officer held an opened leather wallet, which exposed a driver’s license from another state. “Guy’s name is Jerrod Williams. The apartment is his based on what little we have so far. Found a stack of mail on the counter. Utility bills, credit card statements, and cable bills. They match the name on the license.”

“You speak to any of the neighbors yet?”

“A few. Said they don’t know much about him. One did say he’s been here for at least a year. She’s seen him coming and going, mostly with women. Maybe that’s what got him killed. Someone didn’t like being one of many.”

Cassidy frowned at the way the officer made light of a man losing his life but kept her thoughts to herself.

“Maybe. They done in there?” Greg glanced around and motioned to the open door with a nod.

“Still collecting evidence and getting photos. The MEs are tending to the body, though. Should have this wrapped up soon. You can go on in.”

Greg nodded and glanced at Cassidy when he noticed the uniform staring curtly. After checking the guy’s badge, he decided to make an introduction. “Officer Carter, this is Cassidy Evans, criminal psychologist and forensic profiler.”

The officer nodded, and his expression tensed. “This doesn’t seem like the type of case that needs a profiler.”

“I’m here in an unofficial capacity. Just tagging along with an old friend.”

Carter glanced at Greg. They had been to a few crime scenes together, and Carter knew of Greg and his record. Stand-up guy who followed the rules, but he still questioned bringing in a civilian, which Cassidy would be if she weren’t there in an official capacity.

“You sure that’s a good idea?”

Greg glanced at the guy and tilted his head to the side. “My crime scene. My call. I’m giving her clearance.”

Carter shrugged and stepped away, giving them more access. “Your call, Detective. Not my business.”

“You sure this is a good idea?” Cassidy questioned.

“You’ve done this a million times before. You know the protocol.”

“Stay out of the way, and don’t touch anything.”

Greg nodded with a smile. “Come on, let’s go.”



As soon as they entered the apartment, nostalgia set in. Uniforms were moving about bagging items, taking photos, and whispering amongst themselves. No one paid much attention to anything besides what they were working on.

“Where’s the body?” Greg asked. A female uniformed officer pointed to her left as she took in Greg and Cassidy.

“Bedroom.”

They made their way down the hall, pausing just outside the room where they noticed the ME leaning over the body. The bed blocked their view from the doorway, so it wasn’t until Greg completely entered the room and Cassidy followed that she had a clear visual of the body. Once she did, her world tumbled.

“Oh God. Oh God . . .” Cassidy threw a hand over her mouth, feeling a wave of nausea rushing through her system. She had worked enough crime scenes where the rancid smell and bloated features of a body settling into rigor mortis shouldn’t have been so overwhelming. However, this current body brought out a very different reaction. She buckled over, slamming her eyes shut, and began gasping erratically. After a moment, she attempted to blink away the visual of the body she had just caught a glimpse of. Male, on his back. One arm bent across the chest, hand resting on the blood-soaked jacket that covered his upper body. The same jacket he’d worn the night before.

“Ma’am, are you okay?” someone asked. The voice sounded muffled, and Cassidy couldn’t tell which direction it came from. Her mind had gone hazy, but she managed to pull herself together long enough to take one last look at the body. She had to be sure.

Is it really him?

The minute her eyes landed on the body splayed on the floor between the bed and floor-to-ceiling windows, resting in a pool of blood, something in Cassidy snapped, and she stumbled backward before jetting out of the room and the apartment. Once she reached the hallway, her hand pressed flat against the wall, and she buckled over again, gasping for air.

He’s dead.

Someone shot him.

He’s dead.

“Oh God,” she whispered just before she felt a hand on her back, which caused her to jerk away from whoever it belonged to.

“Cass, what’s going on? You okay?”

“Name,” she rushed out, lifting her eyes to Greg to find him staring at her with concern and confusion. She threw an arm across her stomach and asked again when he didn’t respond. “Name. What’s the name of the victim?”

Gregory took a step forward, lowering his voice after glancing over his shoulder and realizing they had an audience. “Cass, what the hell is going on? You’re pale as shit and acting crazy. You’ve seen more than enough bodies in far worse condition than that one in there to be able to handle a simple gunshot.” It took a minute for him to make sense of what was happening. “Shit, do you know him? You know the victim, don’t you?”

“Name,” she whispered again, ignoring Greg’s accusations.

“Cass . . .”

“Name?” she barked with a little more force. “What’s his fucking name?”

“Whose name? The victim?” Greg’s brows were pinched in frustration. Cassidy nodded, so he quickly handed over the requested information. “Jerrod Williams.”

She shook her head slowly, throwing her hand over her mouth once more before she managed to swallow down another wave of nausea. “That can’t be right. Can’t be. They’re mistaken.”

“I’ve seen his identification. Picture matched the victim. What do you mean it can’t be right? Do you know him?”

Her eyes navigated past Greg to the apartment door before they found his once more. She swallowed thickly, not believing what she was about to admit. “That can’t be right because that man in there is my husband, and his name is Niles Anderson, not Jerrod Williams.”

2.

First Forty-Eight

“What were you thinking?”

Detective Harper’s jaw clenched as he stood in Allen Jones’s office, his captain, being berated for simple missteps. One that anyone could have made, but after fifteen years . . .