Kate dropped the rifle and brought her hands to her mouth. She tore the tape away as she did her best to take stock of Mercy Fuller. The girl had done her best to escape the barn. But somethingprobably he rifle blasthad caused her to freeze up again. She was lying half in and half out of the shed, her trembling body lying on the ground just beside the partially open door.

Its okay, she told Mercy. And while she knew this to be true, Kate found that she was having trouble getting to her feet. The surge of adrenaline and emotion was just too much for her muscles and nerves to comprehend.

So Kate just reached over and placed a hand on the girls shoulder. Mercy…its okay. Hes gone. Are you all right?

Mercy responded by letting out a piercing wail. She curled herself into a little ball and started to sob uncontrollably. They were wails of loss and grief and terror, all coming out at once.

Not knowing what else to do, Kate pulled herself closer to Mercy and placed an arm around her, holding her closely to her. She thought of her phone, sitting in the car. She needed to call DeMarco, but she figured that could wait a few more minutes. She kept her eyes on the trapdoor, pretty certain Jack Kramer would not be making another appearance but wanting to be sure all the same. She sat there just outside of the old barn, in the tall grass, holding Mercy close.

She figured it was the least she could do. The girl had probably saved her life. And because Mercy would have no mother to receive this sort of consoling from when this was all wrapped up, Kate was more than happy to provide it in the meantime.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

Kate was sitting in the back of an ambulance, her legs dangling out over the bumper, when Sheriff Barnes came over. She had just finished enduring a check-up with one of the paramedics to ensure she had no internal injuries or concussions. Other than some bruising on her face from the barrage of slaps from Jack Kramer, she was doing just fine.

A little outside of your jurisdiction, arent you? she asked him.

I headed out as soon as your partner called to fill me in. Sadly, this little place is far too much like Deton. I felt I had to come, though. I wanted to thank you for closing this case. I know it wasnt quite the ending we were hoping for, but at least we have answers now.

It didnt end too badly, she said, looking over to the edge of Jack Kramers yard. There was a group of people huddled around Mercy Fuller, who sat on the back of a patrol car. DeMarco was one of the people in that group. She hadnt strayed too far from Mercys side since she arrived on the scene.