Kate removed the lock as quietly as she could, sliding it up out of the latch and setting it on the bumper. She placed her fingers inside the small groove that served as the handle and pushed up. The door slid up easily enough but it squeaked along its track. It wasnt too loud, but loud enough to cause Kate concern. Jack would not hear it from inside, but if he happened to be out in his yard, there was a chance it would have reached his ears.

She didnt bother opening the door all the way, not wanting to make any more noise if she didnt have to. She peered inside and again saw that her instincts were spot on.

In the back of the trailer, she saw several empty wrappers. They were clear and plastic, with an orange design. From the back of the trailer, Kate could see enough to know that they were the wrappers to snack crackers. A few empty water bottles were back there as well. As stealthily as she could, Kate crawled into the trailer and investigated the trash. Unlike the trailer and the lock, the wrapper and the bottles were not old. In fact, there were still a few drops of water sitting in the bottom of one of the bottles.

These had not been in here for any longer than a few days. The still-orange cracker crumbs in the trailer floor were further proof of this.

Kate turned and stepped out of the trailer. It was far too easy to imagine Mercy Fuller in there, eating those crackers and drinking that water. But nothing seemed to line up. Why would a man who worked with Nick Sanders have any reason to abduct his daughter?

You can get those answers later, she thought. For now, get what answers you can from the creep that lives here.

Kate took quick and quiet steps to the bran door, drawing her Glock. It was eerie how easily the motion came back to herand how comfortable she felt with it in her hands. She slipped out of the barn door and stayed low, crouched in the tall grass. She inched her way along until she was square with the backyard. A screen door sat along the back, above a set of old wooden stairs.

She had no way of telling where Nick was inside of the house, so she was just going to have to make a run for it. If he saw her, it wouldnt be too big of a deal. After all, she was armed.

And if hes been hiding a fifteen-year-old girl in his barn, he probably is, too, she thought.