Did you not care that she was fifteen?

I kind of did. I figured Id just break it off with her when I turned eighteen. So I wouldnt get in trouble, you know?

When was the last time you saw her? DeMarco asked.

Maybe a week or so ago.

Did she come to your place?

Yes. We had this sort of blueprint. When she wanted to come over, shed text me and Id pick her up over on Waterlick Road. Shed tell her folks she was going to a friends house and Id pick her up and wed go back to my place.

How long had this been going on? Kate asked.

Four or five months. But look, I know it sounds dirty or whatever, but I really dont know her all that well. It was just sex. Thats all. I was her first…and she was sort of curious, you know? She wasnt like sex crazy or anything, but we met up a lot.

I thought you said she was friendly with most guys, DeMarco said.

His only response to this apparent lie in an attempt to save face was a shrug.

What about her parents? Kate asked. What can you tell me about them?

Nothing. I knew who her dad was, you know? I mean, its a small town. You sort of know everyone. Plus, she always used to joke that if her dad found out we were fuhaving sex, he said, apparently not finding it appropriate to drop other terminology in front of two female agents, hed kill me.

And did you believe her?

I dont know. But I guess. A guy never really wants to think about the father of the girl hes sleeping with finding out. I didnt know what to think about her parents. I mean, she hated them. Like loathed them, you know?

She did?

Based on the way she talked about them, yeah I think so. If I can…

He stopped here and seemed to think about something for a minute. He then looked at Kate and DeMarco as if he were trying to figure out his boundaries.

What is it? Kate asked.

Look. Yeah, it was messed it up that we slept with each other like twenty times or so and I didnt know her all that well. But I always thought it was sort of weird to hear her talk about her parents like that.

Like what?

Before he could answer, there was a knock on the door. Sheriff Barnes opened it and poked his head inside. There was a quick look exchanged between Barnes and Jeremy, making Kate think this was probably not the first time Jeremy had spent time in this room.

Jeremy Branch? he asked. What the hell is he doing here?