Jeremy looked genuinely scared now. It had not taken much and the way he was shifting between emotionsfrom prideful to stubborn to scaredtold her all she needed to know about him. He had lived his life wanting to appease someoneprobably his brother or fatherand was seldom thinking for himself. And now here he was with his tough-guy act crumbling before him, looking down a path that could lead him to some very serious trouble.

Look…I dont know anything about what happened to her.

Forgive me if I dont believe you, Kate said.

I swear, I dont! Ive done some messed up shit, but I would never kidnap someone. And I wouldnt k-k-kill someone.

His stutter and the glistening of tears in the corners of his eyes made Kate believe that he was right. No matter how good of a liar he was, it was very hard to fake that sincere sort of emotion.

Where is Mercy, Jeremy?

I swear, I dont know! He slapped at his own face as a tear trailed down his cheek.

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

Last week. It was just for a little while. Usually we at least talk and hang out a bit before I take her back to Waterlick Road. But that last time…

What? Its okay, Kate said. No need to be modest on us now.

Well, she was really into it. It was quick and sort of rough and when we were done, she said she wanted to go home. Right away.

And that was unlike her?

Yeah. She usually liked to cuddle up and talk when we were done. Maybe smoke a little weed.

Kate waited for about thirty seconds before she tried again. She leaned across the table and, as menacingly as she could muster without actually accusing him, she asked: Where is she, Jeremy?

I dont know!

How do I know youre not lying to us about this, too?

Im not! Im telling you the truth!

Kate crossed her arms, stared him down for a moment, and then headed for the door. When she walked out, DeMarco followed closely behind her.

Its not him, Kate said quietly.

Im getting that vibe, too, DeMarco agreed.

You feel like staying overnight in Deton?

It wouldnt be on my bucket list, if thats what you mean. But Id rather stay here than drive back to DC and repeat it all over again tomorrow morning.

I think we need to have Sheriff Barnes hold Jeremy for a while. The longer hes here, the more hell start to worry about his brother. The more hell start to worry about his own fate. If he is hiding something else, time will pull it out of him. Besides…based on his lies, the drugs, some of the stuff on his phone, and his relationship with Mercy, theres plenty to hold him on.