He stopped here, clearly distracted as he tried to take in the two women on either side of Barnes. He looked both shaken and slightly excited. Not because there were women on his property, but because it was something unexpectedsomething new and out of the ordinary.

Floyd, these two ladies are with the FBI. Theyd like to ask you some questions.

FBI? What the hell for? I aint done nothing.

Oh, I dont expect you have, Barnes said. But tell me, Floyd: when was the last time you spoke with Jeremy?

Ah shit, whats he done?

We dont know yet, Kate said. Maybe nothing at all. Weve come here to find out for sure.

Hes been involved with Mercy Fuller, Barnes explained. Alvin and Wendys daughter. We have him down at the station for questioning. I thought you should know that.

What? Damn, Sheriff. Floyd shrugged and shook his head. Its no wonder, though. That boy never tells me anything. Its probably been about three weeks since I saw him. He stayed here a few nights while Randy was tending to his own stuff. But Im pretty sure he came by for a little while a few nights ago when I was out at the bar. He left the light on in his room. He comes over here sometimes to watch movies. Porn, mostly, I think. Little weirdo.

And he never mentioned Mercy Wheeler? Kate asked.

No. Hell, we barely even spoke at all. Talked football, some. How the Redskins are going to shit. He asked about his ma but I wasnt about to have that conversation, you know? He paused here, as if suddenly struck but a thought. Damn. The Fullers? I heard about what happened to them. Did Mercy get killed, too?

No, Barnes said. In fact, shes gone missing.

We spoke to Jeremy about his involvement with her, Kate said. He told us that Mercy didnt like her parents and hes suggesting that Mercy had something to do with their murders.

I dont know why hed lie about it, Floyd said. He did not sound offended that they were making such an accusation. In fact, he seemed rather detached from the whole situation, like he simply didnt care at all. Were they dating?

Jeremy says it was just a physical relationship, DeMarco said. But he also said that she would confide in himtelling him how she hated her parents. How she wanted to kill them.

Forgive me for asking such a dumb question, Floyd said, but why are you here? Hell, Sheriff Barnes…you probably know Jeremy better than I do.

Does he have a room here? Kate asked.

Yeah. Last one down the hallway.

Would you allow us to look around it?

Floyd hesitated here, unsure of how to answer. He looked to Barnes, as if for help or backup of some kind.

You got something in that trailer I might not approve of, Floyd? Barnes asked.