Wendy and Alvin Fuller, Kate said. They lived here for a while but moved about sixteen years ago. You remember them?

The man looked confused, like he didnt understand the question. Eventually, he only shook his head.

Are you Mrs. Crabtrees husband? DeMarco asked.

Yeah.

Is she busy?

I dont…no, I dont think so.

Mr. Crabtree, if you dont mind me asking, are you all right? Kate asked. You look very troubled about something.

Im fine, he said. And before he could be questioned any further, a woman came into the room from an entrance in the back of the living room. A darkened hallway sat beyond her, leading farther into the house. This woman, presumably Pam Crabtree, was just as rail thin as her husband. She looked perpetually tired and her mouth was drawn down in a sneer that made it look as if it was an expression she wore quite often.

Alvin and Wendy Fuller? she asked.

Yes maam, Kate said. When he was in town and working at Coleman Furniture and Cabinets, he had you listed as an emergency contact.

Yeah, we used to be pretty close with them when they lived here. Ive always had something of a problem with my right knee…have ever since I was a child. It made it damn near impossible to work, so I was living on government assistance. The Fullers came into town and when they were all moved in they came over to introduce themselves. Alvin was a nice enough fellow. Young and in love with his wife. Told me to call him whenever my knee was flaring up if I needed any help.

And did you ever call on him? DeMarco asked.

Oh yeah, several times.

Too many times, her husband replied from his place in his recliner. He was always over here, doing things I should have been doing. He treated us like we were old and broken.

He was a sweetie, Pam argued. But then…he stopped coming around. He got…

What? Kate asked.

He just got mean. Like out of nowhere. And after that, I stopped calling on him for help.

Do you recall them having a daughter? Kate asked.

No. No kids. Actually, Im pretty sure they were having problems having kids. If I remember correctly, Wendy was having some tests done. But…hell, I guess that was right before they left town.

Was there anything about them that struck you as odd? DeMarco asked. You said he got mean. What, exactly, do you mean?

Before Pam could answer, another person came walking down the hallway and into the room. She was a younger woman, maybe twenty-two or twenty-three.

It means he became an uncaring asshole, she said.

And who are you? Kate asked.

Im Katherine Sanders.

Kate and DeMarco shared an uneasy look. Just like that, a lead had literally fallen in their lap.