She left the room, headed straight through the station, and to the parking lot. Night had fallen about an hour ago. She looked up to the night sky, alive and vibrant with stars and the absence of light pollution she was used to in Richmond. She thought of Melissa and Michelle, not too far away under these same stars. She wanted nothing more than to hold little Michelle in that moment. She wanted it so badly that it brought tears to her eyes. She clenched her fists, trying to recall a time a suspect had angered her so badly.

I see he was getting to you, too.

DeMarcos voice broke through the quiet of the night. Kate turned to face her, not caring if the wetness of the tears in her eyes was giving her away.

He was, Kate admitted. And hes guilty of something. I dont know if its the Fuller murders or not, but hes not coming clean about something. He knows more than hes letting on.

We can call the state guys up in Deton, DeMarco said. Have them come get him and take him to Richmond.

I think thats our best bet. Until he can give us some solid answers, hes definitely the most solid suspect weve had to this point.

You buy the bullshit about the PI?

Not one bit. And its also weird that hes not even trying to come up with an alibi for the past few nights. No lies, no stories, nothing.

DeMarco nodded at this as she, too, started to look skyward. She sighed and then looked to Kate with the most sincerity Kate had ever seen out of her.

Youre an amazing agent and likely the strongest woman I know, DeMarco said. But you should be home with your daughter and granddaughter. In light of what theyve been through, youre wasting your time and your passion on trying to figure out men like Nick Sanders.

Youre right, she said. But one thing Melissa knows about meand hopefully something Michelle will come to understandis that I have to stand up for those that cant stand up for themselves. And right now, God help her, that person is Mercy Fuller. I cant go back home until we find her.

No matter what? DeMarco asked.

Dead or alive, no matter what, Kate said.

The comment drifted into the night and the stars twinkled overhead as if burdened by the weight of it.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

The crackers were gone and she hadnt had water in about a day. She guessed it was a day. She wasnt sure. She couldnt tell the passage of time in this dark place. She had come to the conclusion that she was indeed in some sort of trailer. Not a big one like the ones on the back of big rigs, but maybe one like the smaller U-Hauls or those PODs storage units.