Deep down, Herman really didn''t want Jason to get involved.

This case was bound to mess with Jason''s career.

But knowing Jason, once he stepped in, he''d go all the way.fnc30f Fresh chapters posted on FindN0vel/fnc30f

Jason said, "Alright, I''ll go find Devin."

"Devin''s basically a fugitive now-he''s hiding out up on Liberty Hill."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "He get tipped off early? Was he part of the kidnapping?"

"No, that''s not it..." Herman hesitated, then admitted, "He got caught sleeping with Mr. Walker''s wife. When that blew up, he ran."

Jason gaped, speechless for a second, then let out a low whistle.

"Herman, seriously, how much more drama is going on here?" For once, Jason let his curiosity run wild. This had nothing to do with official business-he was just straight up gossiping.

Men can be just as nosy as women, after all.

Herman gave him a sly look. "You really wanna know? Go ask Devin yourself."

“Herman, don''t torture me. Come on, spill it," Jason pressed, sounding half- annoyed, half-amused. "Or I swear, I''ll drop this case right now."

Herman just smiled and took a slow sip of tea, acting like he had all the time in the world.

Jason thought for a second, then guessed, "Is Autumn''s baby...?"

Nailed it.

Herman set his teacup down and didn''t say a word he just shot Jason a look that said everything.

Jason''s expression turned serious. "This is even messier than I thought. Julie is Autumn and Devin''s kid, and Autumn kidnapped Anastasia for revenge. Now Autumn''s pregnant again? At her age, that''s something. Mr. Walker knows about the affair but never questioned whose baby it is? I heard he and Autumn were married over twenty years without kids, and as soon as they get to Riverdale, boom-she''s pregnant."

"Doesn''t matter what Mr. Walker suspects," Herman said, his eyes dark. "He''s made it clear-he''s protecting Autumn, no questions asked. A man''s gotta look out for his own wife."

The message was obvious.

He''d do the same for Anastasia.

Jason shook his head in disbelief. "That''s... impressive, honestly. I don''t know any man who''d be okay with his wife carrying another man''s child."

He nced at Herman. "I''ll send

ет

someone up to Liberty Hill. You keep your distance. From now on, we stick to official channels-no more

private meetings.  s

It just wasn''t right to keep meeting in secret, not with this case. If they had to talk, it''d be at the station.

Besides, Jason was worried that if Herman got involved, things could get ugly.

After all, Anastasia had barely escaped something terrible before.

"I just want Rowan to make it out alive," Herman said quietly. "My wife and I owe him."

"Keeping him alive won''t be easy," Jason admitted. "Rowan''s ming Autumn for everything. If he pisses off Mr. Walker someone''ll take care of him before Walker even has to do anything. There''s only so much I I can do.  s

"That''s why I need you," Herman said, his voice steady. "Just keep Rowan safe on the inside. I''ll handle the rest."

Jason nodded. "As long as this case is open, I promise he''ll be safe."

"Thanks," Herman said, raising his teacup. "Tea instead of whiskey."

Jason clinked his own cup. Sometimes, between men, a look and a gesture said more than words ever could.

Night had fallen by the time they finished.

After their chat, Jason and Herman went their separate ways outside the teahouse.

As Jason drove off, Monica''s disappointed look popped into his mind. He thought about turning back to surprise her, but before he coy his phone rang-Hank''s name shing on the screen.

belongs to s

“Jason, Rowan''s in trouble. He started foaming at the mouth, eyes rolling back—

they''re working on him now, but honestly, it looks like poisoning."

Jason''s heart dropped. He mmed on the gas and sped toward the station.

Rowan couldn''t die in custody. If he did, this case would turn into a real unsolved

mess.

And he''d just promised Herman the guy would make it out alive.

He floored it, racing through the city streets.

Hank was waiting for him at the entrance. "Jason."

Jason rushed over. "How''s Rowan?"

Hank shook his head. “No clue. They''re still trying to save him—wouldn''t let me

in."

"Shit," Jason muttered, a realization hitting him. He took off down the hall toward the holding cells, moving fast.