She left a message, very aware that DeMarco was sitting there listening to her. She wanted to really lay into it, the express the urgency in a way that might be borderline unprofessional, but she relented.

This is Agent Kate Wise with the FBI, she said. Im currently in Deton, Virginia, working on the Fuller case, which Im sure by now someone at your office has seen on the news. I need access to the medical records you have on file for Wendy and Alvin Fuller. Id like to keep it calm and cordialjust between us. But if I dont get a call back very soon, Im afraid Ill have to expedite things by getting my director on your heels.

She left her number and ended the call. DeMarco was grinning at her as she started on a slice of pizza. I bet youre absolutely horrifying when youre actually mad.

Lets hope you never have to see that, Kate said.

They finished up their pizza and once again started to sift through all of the information that had come in so far. Officer Foster had even started collecting the names and numbers of any kids that went to Mercys school that might have come into contact with Alvin and Wendy. They were looking for any thread at all, no matter how stretched and vague, to lead them to their next clues.

It was 7:17 when Kates phone rang. She was digging through the police records of extended family (and coming up with basically nothing) when the ringing broke her concentration. In the back of her mind, she was hoping it would be Melissa, giving her an update on Michelle. Because of this nerve-inducing situation, Kate didnt even bother looking at the number on the caller display.

This is Agent Wise, she answered.

Hi, Agent Wise. This is Theresa McKinney, one of the head practitioners here at Waynesboro Family Medicine, returning your call.

Good to hear from you. What do we need to do to get those records?

Just standard practice. Id need your badge number, the name of your direct supervisor, and the best way to get the records to you. Typically wed need more details about the case as well but, as you said, its pretty much been all over the news.

Kate gave her what she needed, rattling off her badge number and then her email address. McKinney was helpful enough but, perhaps because of her loyalty to her patients and her oath as a doctor, didnt seem too happy about so willingly handing over such private information.

After the call, Kate had Sheriff Barnes bring her in a laptop so she wouldnt have to look through medical records on her phone. Her eyesight was not at all what it once was and even for someone with perfect eyesight, looking through official documents on a phone screen was never an easy task.