Jase and I look at one another again.
“I thought you were here about that, or was I mistaken?” Her gaze flips between us.
“We aren’t here about Chad,” I say. “We wanted to ask you about Jasper.”
Her shoulders stiffen. “Why?”
“A friend’s little sister was kidnapped and trafficked a few years ago,” Jase explains, resting his hands on his knees. “We are trying to help him find out what happened to her. Jasper’s name cropped up.”
“Jasper had nothing to do with it!”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I knew my husband, Ashley.” She pins me with sad eyes. “He was a serial cheater, and our marriage was in trouble a long time before Hera Haynes jumped into bed with him, but he wouldn’t hurt children. Jasper was no trafficker.”
Shock splays across my face. I wonder if Chad knows his dad cheated a lot and his mom was apparently aware of it? Chad was notoriously tight-lipped about everything after his father was arrested.
I should have pushed him to speak to me.
That was the start of all our troubles.
“Jasper was no child kidnapper,” she repeats when we don’t respond to her statement. “Jasper could never do that to innocent children.”
“He was seen handing information containing details of children targeted for trafficking to known criminals,” Jase says, being as vague as he can.
Tears well in her eyes, and her shoulders shake.
Jase and I stare at one another, unsure what to do.
“Can I trust you?” she asks, lifting her head and whispering. She eyeballs Jase. “Chad always said you knew crazy things about people. I know he asked you to look into the allegations against Jasper. I know he told you we believe he was set up.”
“I looked into it, and I couldn’t find anything to either prove it or exonerate him.”
“You can trust us,” I add. “Whatever it is, you can trust us.”
“I want to, but I’m scared.”
Jase sits up straighter. “Scared of who or what?”
“Scared that whoever framed my husband and killed him will come after me and mine if I tell you what I know. If I give you what I have.”
My eyes meet Jase’s, and we are both trying to hide our shock.
“I can protect you,” Jase says. “My father is a very powerful man, and my family has tons of resources. I can move you and Tessa to a safe place. Provide round-the-clock bodyguards and high-level security. Ensure you are both well cared for and that no one can get to you.”
“What about Chad? I need to know my son is safe.” Tears spill down her cheeks. “Has someone taken him? Is this a warning?”
I didn’t want to come here and tell her about Chad, because it’ll be a moot point when we get him back tomorrow, but I don’t want to lie to her face either. I defer to Jase again.
“There is a bit of a situation with Chad, but we have it covered.”
“Oh my God.” She begins crying in earnest, rocking back and forth, hugging her knees to her chest. I glance behind me, praying Tessa doesn’t hear and come rushing in.
“Carole.” Jase sits on the arm of the chair, pulling Chad’s mother into his arms. “Chad is my best friend. I’m going to ensure he’s safe. You don’t need to worry about him, I promise.”
I narrow my eyes. That’s not something he can promise with absolute certainty at this time. And we don’t know how traumatized he’ll be after his ordeal.
“I need you to tell me everything, Carole. If you want to keep your family safe, I need to know it all. I can’t help you blindfolded or with my hands tied behind my back.”
