I gasped and brought my hand to my mouth. Bit my lip as I watched.

My little Sanjay was sitting next to Devek, clutching his arm. He had a wide smile on his face. He said, “Hi, Mommy. I’m happy now. Father is with me. And he’s happy too. So, we’re both happy. We’re playing video games and reading books …” He smiled at Devek and Devek smiled back at him. “I miss you, Mommy. Say hi to Juleen. I miss her too. But I have Father.”

The camera switched to Devek. He looked anything but happy. Tension was etched deeply in his face. He said, “We’re okay, Terry. Please thank Chris and tell him we hope everything will be coming soon and this will be over—”

The screen went blank.

Tears were running down my cheeks. I whispered, “When did you get this?”

“A couple of days ago.”

“And you’re just showing it to me now?”

Chris said, “You weren’t speaking to me a couple of days ago.”

I looked up at him. I could barely find my voice. “Are they really okay?”

“As far as I know, yes.”

“Can you tell me what’s going on?”

“You know what’s going on. They took your son because Devek owes money.”

“They kidnapped Devek as well?”

“Something like that.” Chris put his phone down on the nightstand.

“When will it be over?” I asked.

“I don’t know. They’re waiting on more money from me. I’m waiting on a few things.”

“What things?”

“Things that take time. I told you in the beginning that this wasn’t an instant fix. So far, so good. I’m doing my best, but no promises.”

“Do you know where they are?”

“Other than India, no.”

“Could you find out?”

“I could, but then what?” He put his arm around my shoulders and drew me closer. “Your little boy is under constant guard. I can tell you that much. Baby, he can’t outrun a bullet.”

I nodded, trying desperately to hold back tears. “He looks happy.”

“He does.”

“Can you send it to me? The video?”

“No,” Chris told me. “It’ll make you too emotional. It’s not good for you, it’s not good for Juleen, and, frankly, it’s not good for me.”

“Can I see it again?”

He gave me a look but retrieved his phone and the video. He pressed the play arrow.