When did Otis tell you to have this area sealed off? Jessie demanded of Salter.

Sunday morning, Salter replied.

Jessie stared at her hard.

Im going to give you a chance here, Nancy. Im guessing you didnt know Gilliard was the one in here. But you knew something was up. Did Jasper suggest the mold story?

Salter looked at Detective Purcell for help but he was stone-faced. It appeared that hed finally come around and was putting the job ahead of the power. Without anyone to support her, Salter seemed torn. But apparently the two women standing in front of her with weapons drawn were more impactful than her loyalty to Jasper Otis.

He said he needed to make sure no one entered the residential area for a few days. I came up with the mold remediation suggestion. We had it done last year and still had the plastic sheeting in storage. I didnt ask what it was about.

You realize your boss has been hiding a murderer? Karen said. And that he may be helping him to escape right now? You need to tell us everything you know.

I dont know anything else, Salter insisted. Jasper has been very closed-mouthed the last few days. I had my suspicions but nothing firm, so I didnt ask.

As Karen continued to press her, Jessie walked around the residence, looking for anything she might have missed earlier. By the front door in the dining area, she saw a fresh stain on the floor, reinforcing her belief that someone had been here recently. Maybe theyd spilled some food. She knelt down and the unexpected smell of blood hit her nostrils.

Glancing around, she saw a small trail of droplets leading into the entertainment room and then the bedroom. Then they stopped, as if someone had found a way to staunch the bleeding. On a hunch, she walked into the bathroom. It seemed unremarkable. She walked over to the hamper and opened it. Inside she found pants and a shirt. The latter was covered in blood, as if it had been used as a tourniquet.

In here, she yelled.

When Karen and Salter arrived, she pointed out the clothes.

Whose are these? she asked.

Salters eyes widened.

Thats what Jasper was wearing, she said, clearly concerned.

Jessies worry that shed misjudged the nature of the situation only increased.

It looks like your boss may have gotten on the wrong side of the man he was trying to protect. If you want to help him, your best bet would be to tell us where he might have taken Gilliard. His life might depend on it.

Salter thought for a moment, then shook her head.

I honestly dont know, she said. I assume they would have left via the private door over there to avoid being seen by staff. But after that, I dont know.