Page 102 of Hidden Truths

Jasper Wentworth is the boy in the picture with Ezra. I sent my dad the picture right after our call, and he immediately recognized him. He asked Jo to reach out through official channels for the band, thinking correctly that it would get him to speak with us quicker. Thirty minutes might be a record.

“He’s a two-time world series pitcher and the best the Nashville Chickadees has ever seen!” Cal says, practically vibrating next to me on the couch.

“What’s with the bird names for teams?” Belle asks. Off-topic, but good question.

Jasper just laughs, and it’s deep and charming as hell.

“What did you guys need to talk to me about so urgently?” he asks, doing a better job of keeping on topic than I am.

I hold up the picture of Ezra and Jasper without saying another word. Looking at the picture now, it’s pretty obvious that’s Jasper, assuming you’ve ever seen him. I’m guessing Cal and Kai were too focused on Ezra, alive and smiling next to him to put it together.

If Shattered Halo is Jasper’s favorite band, then he knows who Kai is and what he looks like. He definitely knows who Ezra is. I watch his face closely. He’s not giving anything away.

“I can’t tell you what you want me to. I don’t know where he is right now,” Jasper says.

“When was the last time you saw Ezra?” I ask.

Jasper sighs and looks down.

“Please. I need to find my brother,” Kai pleads.

Jasper’s head snaps up and meets Kai’s eyes. They stare at each other, not breaking eye contact until Jasper nods.

“I figured out who he was pretty quickly since I’m a fan,” Jasper says. “He swore me to secrecy, and I never said anything. But he talked about you all the time.”

Kai’s eyes water, and he nods.

“You and Maverick,” Jasper amends and smirks. “Man, did Ezra love Maverick. Probably still does. Wherever he is.”

“You haven’t seen him recently?” Belle asks, tears in her eyes too.

“I got signed to the Chickadees four years ago. Talked Ezra into coming with me. He is, was, my best friend. I knew enough of his situation to know he was hiding, but I didn’t want to leave him behind.” We’re all silent. I don’t think any of us are breathing as we wait for Jasper to continue. “He changed his name again, and I ended up getting him a job with the team. He was with us for two years.”

“And you don’t know where he went after that?” I ask.

Jasper shakes his head. “Something spooked him. I don’t know what. I tried to get him to tell me, but he wouldn’t. He left in the middle of the night one night, and I haven’t heard from him since.”

“What name did he use while you worked together?” I ask him.

“Evan Roger,” Jasper answers.

“Well, he’s sticking to ‘e’ names. That’s a pattern,” I say mostly to myself.

“And first names as last names,” Cal adds.

“Thanks for your help. Let us know if you think of anything else,” I say.

“Yeah and let me know if you want to go to a show. I’ll get you some backstage passes,” Kai says. Jasper perks up and smiles.

“I’d love that, man. Same goes for you guys, if you want to come to a game.”

The guys all exchange numbers while Belle and I snicker at them. Once the call ends, Kai lets out a sigh.

“Two years. He was alive at least two years ago,” he says, then turns to me. “I can never repay you for this, Harlow. You’ve brought me closer to finding my brother in a matter of days than I have been able to do in years.”

“Thank me when I find him,” I say.

Because I will.

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