Sheriff Jennings came out of the room, flanked by the two officers that had been assisting. Hes all yours, he said. Want me to call Deton and fill them in on whats going on?

That would be perfect, Kate said. And thank you for your help.

While youre at it, DeMarco added, could we get his record when you get a chance?

Jennings nodded to one of the officers beside him and they went elsewhere right away to get the records. The sheriff then left Kate and DeMarco to their business with one final look back into the interrogation room.

They walked into the room slowly, almost casually. DeMarco closed the door behind them and leaned slightly against the back wall as Kate took the one seat on the side of the table opposite Sanders.

When was the last time you saw the daughter you named Kim? Kate asked. The daughter that, for the last fifteen years, was known as Mercy Fuller?

I havent seen her since the day the Fullers took her.

You need to walk us through that, Kate said. Because anyone in their right mind would expect that youd call the police to report a kidnapping. Did you ever report an abduction?

No, he said. He would not look at either of them and his voice was trembling…not quite on the brink of tears but clearly wrestling with some sort of unexplored emotion. It was clear he was ashamed of the choices he and his wife had made.

And why not? DeMarco asked.

Because we were assholes. We were selfish. Kim…we didnt plan for her. We didnt want another baby. Shit…we were pretty sure the hospital would keep her. We were sure shed be born with something in her system. Not that we were trying to kill the baby or anything; we werent that messed up.

What about Katherine? Kate asked. Was she a planned pregnancy?

Yeah. Me and Helen tried having a baby right after we got married.

Were you using then?

Pot here and there. Coke once or twice. But the meth and the heroin didnt come until a few years later.

Tell us how you got to know the Fullers.

I dont remember how we met them. For real. I think maybe it was at a bar or something. We got along with them. We ended up hanging out a lot. Just to get together to drink, you know? I think we sort of scared them off when we got into the heavy stuff. I mean…when Helen started heroin…that was it. That was the end of her. And we knew we were shit parents. We were just lucky no one ever stepped in, you know? Like social services or whatever. We were really lucky.

Tell me about the day you and Katherine claim the Fullers took Kim from you, Kate said.