Her phone rang, buzzing from her pocket and interrupting her. She answered it, still looking out into the forest and imagining all of the possibilities out there.

This is Agent Wise, she said into the phone.

Agent Wise, this is Jan Pettus…Annes mother. Do you have a moment?

Of course. What can I do for you?

I thought you might want to know that Anne woke up this morning and came to me right away. She said she just remembered something she forgot to tell you when you were asking about Mercy having any jobs.

Is she available to speak with me? Kate asked.

Not right now. Shes getting ready to finally go back to school. But she told me what she remembered. And honestly…I even knew about it but didnt think anything of it. She paused here, almost as if for dramatic effect. Earlier this year, she babysat for a local couple that was going through a hard time. Maybe just two or three times, Anne says, though shes not absolutely certain.

Does she remember anything in particular about this family?

Well, everyone in town knows that they were going through a hard time. No one knows quite why, though. Rumor has it that the husband was cheating on his wife and they spent a lot of time apart…so the kids sometimes got caught in the middle. They were friends with the Fullers and apparently, Mercy stepped in as babysitter.

Whats the family name?

She saw that Barnes was listening in now, his interest piqued as he stood by the side of the car, keeping a distrustful eye on Todd Ramsey. She listened as Mrs. Pettus told her what she knew, which wasnt much: a name and a general location of where the fathernow divorcedwas living.

The call was over ten seconds later. She pocketed her phone and looked back to the strip of grass beside the road. She wondered how the credit card had gotten there. Had it been discarded as someone had pulled Mercy Fuller into the woods or had her abductor (assuming there was one) thrown it out in an attempt to get rid of any evidence?

Sheriff? What can you tell me about a man named Edgar Lee? she asked.

A Deton native. Went through a nasty divorce end of last year, or early this year. His wife and kids moved somewhere further south. He stayed here, keeps working on a farm that should have given up the ghost about ten years ago. In my estimated opinion, the guy is sort of a sleazeball. He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. Why do you ask?

Because I believe Agent DeMarco and I are going to pay him a visit.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN