So, as we told you, Kate said, the church was listed as a potential child care for Mercy Fuller. Do you recall keeping her at all?

Yes, I do. A brilliant little girl. So brilliant, in fact, that I believe her parents allowed her to just stay at home by herself when she was ten years old or so.

So she was here for her preschool years? DeMarco asked.

She was. I never truly got to know Alvin or Wendy all that well. They only ever came to church on holidays. But they always paid on time and were never late to pick up Mercy.

Mrs. King, what Im about to tell you is considered classified, though I doubt it will remain that way with all of the news crews around town. So I would greatly appreciate your silence on the matter. Do you understand?

She gave a nod and Kate couldnt help but not believe her.

Recent discoveries in the Fuller case are leading us to look into the possibility that Mercy was not the biological child of Alvin and Wendy. Were there ever any moments while she attended here where you heard Mercy say something about maybe being adopted or the Fullers not being her real parents?

The expression on Deloress face made it clear that she had not been expecting this sort of a question. I…well, no, nothing that I can remember. I would have never even thought of such a thing. I mean…even just looking at Mercy, she did bear a passing resemblance to Wendy. But nothing like Alvin…not a single feature.

What do you remember about the Fullers when they came into town? DeMarco asked.

Not much, really. I thought it was weird…as did a lot of people, that a family with a brand new baby would willingly move to somewhere like Deton. Not many opportunities, you know? But the little bit I knew of them….they seemed like a nice enough couple.

Did you ever hear any gossip about them? Maybe why they came to Deton at all? Or maybe anyone that didnt really care for them?

No…nothing like that. I know small towns have a penchant for gossip, but Deton really isnt like that. Everyone mostly tends to get along with everyone else.

What about Mercy herself when she was part of your preschool and childcare program? DeMarco asked. Was she well-behaved? Any problems with the other kids?

No. From what I remember, everyone liked her. She was something of a jokester, you know? Always trying to make kids laugh. A team player. I dont recall her ever throwing any tantrums or bossing the other kids around.