I like it. Really like it. With the end game coming up, they need to find a way to start wraping up the main story. It would be a nice way to close Season 3, them planning how to take down Burke and the company who pay for the student loans.
If James was actually working at this school and found out about those things (or working for that company who give the loans that I forgot the name), they "disappeared him" and she heavily suspect foul play (which is why she go ahead with MC, deep down, she know her husband isn't alive anymore). It would explain why she reluctantly force herself to stay close to Burke too (she accept an invitation in Ep1). It would also work with the boots, she keep them as a reminder.
It would also work with the narration that MC said about something like "I should've seen the signs" "I wish I called for help sooner" (I'm paraphrasing). MC never really ask about the husband, and if he would've pushed a little bit more, he might've been able to be there for her sooner.