She trailed off here and looked to the ceiling. The moment a shimmer of tears started to trace the outlines of her eyes, she wiped them away. She then looked directly at Kate and despite the vague detachment in her eyes, Kate felt for her.

Is she alive?

We dont know. Were trying to find her. Until this morning, we assumed she was the biological daughter of Alvin and Wendy Fuller.

For a moment, Kate thought Katherine was going to change her mind. Maybe shed come along to Deton to help, driven by the hope of finding her long-lost sister. But again, Katherine Sanders only shook her head. She looked sad as she did so, as if she wished she were just a little braver.

If shes telling the truth, Kate thought, this case is much bigger than we thoughtand goes back much further. And perhaps even more notable…if this is a fifteen-year-old abduction case, were soon going to run out of suspects.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

While Kate made the drive from Waynesboro back to Deton, DeMarco made numerous phone calls. The result of those calls was a packed police station back in Deton. More state Police had come to assist and, almost like moths to a growing fire, there were more news vans parked outside the station.

Sheriff Barnes had apparently been waiting at the door for them because as soon as they started walking across the parking lot, swarmed by reporters and camera people, Barnes was there He stood in front of Kate and DeMarco like a moving wall, barking orders and mild threats to the reporters. Kate couldnt help but feel a little charm from the gesture.

When they were inside and away from turmoil of the press, Barnes practically collapsed in one of the chairs in the small waiting area just in front of the bullpen.

Okay, so heres where were at, he said. Ive got four officers, including Foster, out talking to families that had even the most remote connection to the Fullers. Many of them are repeat interviews, only this time we are asking specifically about any information they have on the Fullers lives before moving to Deton. Were also speaking with anyone we know might have been a friend of Mercy Fuller. There are three state policemen at her high school right now, speaking with guidance counselors and teachers. He sighed here and then looked back and forth between Kate and DeMarco. You really think this Katherine Sanders woman is telling the truth?

I dont know for sure, Kate said. But I dont see why shed have any reason to lie about it. Weve got a team at the bureau working on getting current contact information on one Nick Sanders, a man who, according to Katherine, is Mercy Fullers biological father.

This all sounds insane to me, Barnes said.

Its a little crazy for us as well, DeMarco said.