A few feet away from the cars, tucked not too far away from the tree line of the expansive forest beyond, was a doublewide trailer. It was the type that was decorated very much like a house from the outside and, if it had been properly cared for, would look like a rather nice place. But the front porch looked slightly slanted, one of the railings having fallen completely off. There was also a loose gutter on the right side of the house and, of course, the savagely overgrown yard.

Kate and DeMarco parked behind the junked cars and slowly made their way to the house. The grass, which was mainly weeds, came up to Kates knees.

I feel like Im on some deranged safari, DeMarco said. Got a machete?

Kate only chuckled, her eyes on the front door. Stereotypes and Anne Pettuss information made her feel like she already knew what they would find inside: Jeremy Branch and his older brother, sitting around doing nothing. The place would probably smell like dust and mild garbage, maybe even like marijuana. There would be beer bottles scattered round cheap furniture, all of which would be pointed at a relatively nice television set. Shed seen the set-up countless times before, particularly when it came to young freeloaders living in rural areas.

They made their way up to the porch and Kate knocked on the door. She could hear the murmur of music coming from inside, something heavy but at a low volume. She also heard heavy footsteps approaching the door. When it opened several seconds later, she was greeted by a young-looking man dressed in a tank top and a pair of khaki shorts. A five oclock shadow bordered his face. His entire left arm was covered in tattoos and both ears were pierced.

He smiled at the sight of the two women on his porch at first but then the reality of the situation seemed to catch up with him. It wasnt just two womenit was two women dressed in a professional manner with serious looks on their faces.

Who are you? he asked.

DeMarco showed her badge, taking a step closer to the door. Agents DeMarco and Wise, she said. We were hoping to get a word with Jeremy Branch.

The young man looked legitimately confused and slightly scared. He took a small step back away from the door, looking back and forth between them with caution. Thats…well, thats me. But what do you need me for?

We assume youve heard the news about a girl over in Deton by now, Kate said. A girl by the name of Mercy Fuller.

The look on his face told Kate all she needed to know. Without saying a word, Jeremy all but confirmed that he knew Mercy. He nodded and then looked back into the trailer, maybe for assistance from his older brother.

Can you confirm that for me? Kate asked.