Page 50 of The Devoted Husband

“Do you?”

“Tell me I’m wrong,” he countered, wrapping his hand around his Old Fashioned.

“You’re not wrong, Dante.”

“Good.” He used his fingers to call their waitress over. As she set a plate in front of Sade, she smiled warmly. “This should show you how serious I am.”

Sade’s heart fluttered at “Will you be mine?” written in cursive font with red syrup underneath a slice of strawberry cheesecake. And under the inscription was a princess-cut ring that caused Sade to gasp.

“It’s a promise ring, not an engagement ring,” Dante clarified. “But with that ring, I promise to propose in no more than a year if you agree to us committing to each other today.”

Sade covered her face bashfully. This was all she’d ever wanted. Even with her convincing herself they were better off as friends because Dante chose Imani over her, no part of Sade wanted to play hard to get.

“Yes, I’ll be yours,” she cooed.

A low moan escaped Dante as he stood and walked over to her side of the table. After slipping the ring onto her right ring finger, he pulled her in for a kiss that drenched her panties. Sade didn’t know how long the peace would last, but in that moment, everything was perfect.

Jones

The Day Sade Was Released . . .

With the pads of his palms pressed together, Captain Bennit released a long exhale. His expression was solemn as he eyed Jones. While Jones had an idea what this was about, he didn’t want to assume. He’d been meticulous and careful, casing the hospital from every angle to ensure no cameras were around. It would have been impossible for him to have been caught stealing samples of Imani’s DNA.

“I’m gonna cut straight to the chase,” Bennit said. “What on earth would possess you to steal a woman’s blood and have it put into the system as evidence on a case we closed months ago?”

Jones’s mouth opened...and closed. He shifted in his seat, unsure if he wanted to deny the accusation.

“I’m sorry, Captain, but I’m not sure what you’re talki—”

“Dammit, Jones!” Bennit roared, slamming his hand down on his desk. “They have you on camera.”

“Wha—There were no cameras. I checked.”

“You may have checked, but you didn’t do a good job. There was a small camera on the edge of the board that looked like a marker magnet. Because they often use that room for inmates, they go through extra security steps. You would have known that if you were actively involved in the case.”

“Captain—”

“But youweren’tinvolved, because there isnocase. You aren’t a detective for the Memphis Police Department, so how could you have known they increased security cameras toavoid putting someone in the room with inmates around the clock to ensure their and the staff’s safety?”

Jones decided there was no point in denying it anymore. Unfortunately, he’d been caught.

“What does this mean for the case?”

Bennit chuckled. “There isnocase. What part of that do younotunderstand, Jones?”

“Captain, that DNA proved someone in Imani’s family was at both crime scenes. That hair, that blood...Those were no coincidences. Sade was the only person in Vanzette who knew both victims and had a reason to kill them. How can you sit there and tell me there is no case?”

“Because you stole the evidence without a warrant, the validity of the DNA match is being called into question. Even if the DNA was a match, her attorney is arguing that was a lie and that you had someone change the name in the system to Sade’s.”

“That’s bullshit!” Jones yelled as he stood. “The DNA can be run against what’s on file in Memphis for Imani. It will be a 100 percent match for her and a 50 percent match for her sister. She’s the killer, Captain.”

“That may be the case, but unfortunately, because you did your own thing and took matters into your own hands, the prosecutor will not be able to use the DNA sample and match as evidence.”

“Come on,” Jones interrupted to blurt.

“And seeing as that was all the evidence we had against Sade, she will be released from prison, and all charges against her will be dropped. Not only that, but I also have to issue a public apology to her and her family on your behalf and pray this doesn’t create a snowball effect of people thatyou’veput away based on DNA asking to have their cases retried.”

That left Jones speechless, so Bennit continued. “I convinced the DA not to press charges against you, but I have to fire you. Effective immediately, you are no longer a detective for the Vanzette Police Department. And might I make clear this isnotan invitation for you to continue to go after this woman on your own. You fucked up any chance there was of Sade doing time for this. Nowlivewith it.” As Bennit shoved his glasses up the bridge of his nose, he added, “Go empty out your desk and vacate the premises immediately.”

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