could I say? It was Jaz. I couldn’t not take this case.
I nodded.
“Great,” Oliver said, “come with me and I’ll explain everything, and we’ll discuss your payment.” He went to the stairwell, and I followed him after tossing a quick look to Jaz and her mother.
God, I really wanted to get that girl alone and hear just what the hell was going on. From her mouth, her words. Murder? What the ever-loving fuck?
Oliver took me to his study on the second floor, and he closed the door before beginning to explain just why the hell I was here, why he was hiring me.
Brittany Pots’s body was missing, but there wasn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind that she was dead with how much blood was at the crime scene…along with Jaz’s DNA. Jaz was innocent, of course; she might surround herself with killers, but I knew she wasn’t one. Oliver was under the impression someone was trying to set her up, since she had beef with Brittany, and I was inclined to agree.
Never thought I’d find myself agreeing with Oliver Fitzpatrick about anything.
“My guess,” Oliver said, moving to stare out of the window at the dying daylight outside, “is the boyfriend. Archer Vega. He’s had dealings with Jaz in the past and is the entire reason Brittany and Jaz had it out for each other. By removing them both, he’s securing himself his freedom, as horrible as it is.”
“Vega,” I repeated, trying to play dumb, to a certain degree. “That name sounds familiar.”
“His father was arrested this past week, on multiple charges. It sounds like he had an affair with a minor, and forced that minor to get an abortion when she got pregnant.” Oliver ran a hand through his greying black hair before turning to me. “Everyone has their dirty laundry here, Jacob. You know that by now.”
My jaw clenched, and I muttered, “Trust me, I know all about that.”
Oliver’s shoulders slumped. “Jaz told me what my sons did. For what little it’s worth now, I am sorry. I never knew I…” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, as if this was painful for him to admit. “I never knew how much I didn’t have them under control until they were already gone.”
Though his words meant nothing to me, I found myself gritting out, “Thanks. Means a lot.”
Something changed in Oliver then, and he held my stare as he said, “I didn’t do right by Astrid, or Lorelei. I didn’t do right by Celeste or even my sons. This time, I want to make sure things don’t turn out like that. This time, I want to make things right. I know Jaz didn’t do it, but I can’t figure this out alone. Whatever you want, I’ll pay you double.”
Was that what this was about? Righting the wrongs he couldn’t fix in the past by helping Jaz now? I knew better than to question him, though, especially when he was dangling all that money in front of me.
I wasn’t like these other Midpark citizens, I didn’t own a huge estate and have money flowing out of my ass. Hell, I barely paid my monthly rent on time. Even if this didn’t involve Jaz, I couldn’t say no. Just like with Mr. Anonymous, I had to take this job.
But it did involve Jaz, which meant I had to not only take the job, but also give my peak performance. I could not let the girl downstairs down.
“I was also hoping I could ask you to keep an eye on her,” Oliver went on, not bothering to wait for me to throw out a number. “I think she has a habit of getting herself into trouble, and she’s too stubborn to realize it. She needs someone who can step in when necessary.”
Jaz had told him things, clearly, but how much did he know? The way he stared at me right then made me wonder.
Nodding, I said, “I’ll do what I can.” I had to be extra careful here; I had no idea how Oliver would react if he found out Jaz and I were…well, close didn’t seem to cut it. We were much more than that now, whatever the fuck we were.
“I’m going to send her to school tomorrow, but I’d like for you to drop her off and pick her up. I want you to get there early, and keep an eye out,” Oliver said. “Piper’s not going to like your involvement, but I do believe she’s sheltered Jaz too