Why didn't Carl bring Jerry's wife with him to the drop off exchange?

I wondered about that, too. Further ensurance that Carl would still have leverage or get away and release her later? Except, it was not a real kidnapping. So, that makes no sense. Plus, why would he expect Jerry to give him the money without his wife returned. The whole plan seemed so spur of the moment, not well thought out by anyone. Carl was always half cocked and full of himself.

One possible explanation is that Jerry and Carl might want to hash out further details or discuss what to do from then on and obviously it wouldn’t be a good idea if Jean saw them chatting. As the poster above mentioned, it was never well thought out.

They already got in trouble for having her in the car whimpering while pulled over by the cops ... Perhaps they thought it would be easiest for them to tell Jerry where she was and have him pick her up later? I think so much went wrong none of these characters are thinking that clearly. Remember Carl keeps changing the plan as things fall apart and of course Wade showing up instead of Jerry was unexpected to Carl (Who the F are you? ha ha ha).