He led them back to the small conference room they had been using. Kate saw that several people had filled the whiteboard with names, phone numbers, dates, and other information. It looked chaotic but showed signs of a team that was very much dedicated to getting to the bottom of a case.

There was a book on the center of the tableone that Kate recognized as Mercy Fullers journal. Barnes slapped it and slid it over to Kate.

Weve had two officers read through this, looking for anything that might indicate Mercys knowledge of her real parents. But theres nothing. I think its safe to say that if Wendy and Alvin Fuller werent her parents, Mercy had no idea.

It would make sense, DeMarco said. If were going on the assumption that Katherine Sanders is telling even a half-truth, the Fullers would have no reason to come clean.

Sheriff Barnes, how far back can you recall the Fullers coming into town?

Decent, I guess. Someone moves into a town like this, its all locals talk about for a while. I was only an officer when they arrived. Came into town with a baby in tow.

Any idea how old Mercy would have been at that time? Kate asked.

Sorry, no. Surely not quite a toddler yet. Still a baby.

I cant help but wonder if this potential abduction fifteen years ago is the motivethe reason the Fullers were killed. And if thats the case, I doubt the killer and abductor would be anyone local.

But if Katherine Sanders has been on the hunt for her so-called sister, maybe she told other people. Maybe other family members, Barnes said.

Based on what she told us, there would be no more family other than her father, and she claims not to have been in recent touch with him.

Any possibility that Katherine Sanders killed them?

Extremely doubtful, Kate said. She looked to DeMarco to make sure she was not alone in the assumption and got a nod of agreement.

Well, if this thing extends out to Waynesboro and Staunton, I dont know if

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. After Barnes yelled a quick and curt come in, a state trooper walked into the room. His pants were dirty around the bottom and he looked ragged and tired.

Were going to do one last run out in Jones Field and along Blood Gulch Road, the trooper said. But were finding absolutely nothing. Were starting to think the abductor came in through Jones Field, with a car waiting along Blood Gulch Road.

Meaning the abductor is nowhere nearby, Barnes said.

Exactly.

This did not discourage Kate at all. She had no illusion that Mercy Fuller would be found here in Detonif she was discovered at all.

So then where might she end up? Kate wondered.