Immediately Kai's jaw tightened, but he kept his expression neutral, not wanting to add to her distress. "Did he say who they were? Names? Places?"
She shook her head.
"No. He said he couldn't tell me anything. Just… that I needed to stay quiet."
At that moment the room fell into more silence, broken only by the sound of her soft sobs. Kai's mind raced as he processed what she'd told him. This wasn't just about a missing boy anymore. It was a glimpse into something much larger—and far more dangerous.
"Mrs. Marsh," Kai said gently, his voice steady, "I'm going to find him. But I need you to trust me. I need you to tell me everything, no matter how small it seems."
She then looked up at him, her face etched with a mix of fear and hope. For a moment, she said nothing, and then she nodded slowly, her grip on the couch loosening just slightly.
"Okay," she whispered. "I'll tell you everything I can."