She stepped forward, looking around and trying to make sense of where she was. It was an old barn or shed of some kinda floor made of wooden boards under her feet. Her steps made hollow sounds, making her think there was another floor under her, a cellar perhaps. Other than the trailer (which, she saw, was indeed some sort of old moving trailer that went on the back of a truck), the barn seemed to be mostly empty. There were rotted hay bales pressed against the far wall and what looked to be an old workbench of some kind, but other than that the place was empty.

He was waiting for her at the door, standing patiently. As she neared him, she started to tremble. She tried passing by him quickly, just to be out of his presence. When she did, he reached out and took her arm. His touch was gentle but made her cringe.

You dont have to be afraid of me, he said. Im not going to kill you.

What are you going to do to me? she asked. She feared the answer but figured it would be better to know rather than to have that fear of the unknown in her head.

I dont know just yet, he said.

It was not the answer Mercy had been hoping for. In fact, it somehow felt like the worst possible answer he could have given.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

By the time the state police had come down from Deton and taken Nick Sanders into custody, Kate could feel the toll of the day wearing on her. Nick had refused to give any information as to his whereabouts over the last few nights and he would not come off of the information regarding how hed gotten Mercy Fullers phone number. It felt almost too easy, but Kate was starting to think that maybe he was the killer and potential abductor.

But her instincts did not seem pleased with this. Even as she and DeMarco watched the trooper pull the patrol car out of the Carroll County police station parking lot, Kate felt that they were missing something.

Somethings bothering you, DeMarco pointed out.

Youre getting too good at reading me. Stop it.

DeMarco smiled. It feels right, I think. You know, hes under arrest of suspicion of murder and child endangerment, possible kidnapping. We have every right to check out his house.

I think thats a good idea, Kate said. Because honestly, youre right. It feels right. All the pieces fit and Nick Sanders is definitely the sort of guy that might be capable of something like this. But his unanswered questions are big ones. And it makes me feel like were missing something.

You look tired, DeMarco said. Pull up his address, and Ill do the driving.