When there was no answer within two seconds, he repeated it all. He hammered on the door with his meaty fist and gave the same command. Only this time, he ended it with: You have three seconds to come to the door or I will break it down!

Kate heard someone yelling a response from inside, but she could not understand what was being said. She also heard running footsteps coming toward the door. Barnes stepped back, Foster flanking to his right. Kate and DeMarco stood behind them, hands on their weapons, ready to draw if necessary.

The door was opened quickly, making all four of them tense up. But when Kate saw the absolute terror and confusion on the face of the man that stood there, she stood down a bit. He was dressed only in boxers, still pulling on a pair of pants as he stood at the door. Todd Ramseys hair was tousled and in disarray. His eyes were till slightly hazed from sleep. He looked to be about forty-five or soand many of those years had been hard ones. He noticed that Barnes had his gun drawn and took a clumsy step back.

Whats going on? Todd Ramsey asked. He sounded like he was on the verge of tears.

Barnes did not ask to be invited inside. He simply walked through the opened front door with Foster on his heels. Barnes turned back to Kate and gave her a nod, indicating that he wanted her to pick it up from here.

Hes smart, she thought. He used local credentials to get things started and now that were inside, it becomes more legitimate.

Mr. Ramsey, we have proof that you paid for gasoline last night with a credit card that is not yours. Would you like to tell us where you got the card?

He looked instantly guilty, but the confusion was still on his face. Yeah…shit, sorry. But is that what this is about? That card…

That credit card belonged to a fifteen-year-old girl named Mercy Fuller, Kate said, putting on her best authoritative voice. It was pleasing to see just how easily she could still slip in and out of it.

That name ring a bell? Barnes said.

No, it

I find that hard to believe, Kate interrupted. Her name has been all over the news. A local girl. Think hard.

Thats right, he said, his voice trembling. Her folks were killed. But I had no idea it was her card.

Mr. Ramsey, this is quite serious, Kate said. Mercy Fuller has been missing for three days now. And all of a sudden, youre found using her credit card.

The weight of what they were accusing him of seemed to land on him like a bomb. His eyes grew wide and he took another step backward. Whoa. Hold on. No.

No what? Foster asked.

I have nothing to do with it! I swear, I had no idea it was her card!