I look at Trenton and Matthew, seeing the conflict in their eyes. They want to protect me, but they also understand the need to find Evan before he hurts anyone else.
"Morgan stays with us," Trenton finally agrees. "She helps from a distance."
It's not perfect, but it's a compromise I can live with. I nod, already thinking about what I know of Evan and his behavior, his patterns, his obsession.
"The missing women," I say, moving back to Techy's computer. "Can you show me where they were last seen?"
Techy pulls up a new map, the red dots representing the last known locations of each victim. I study it, looking for patterns.
"He's methodical," I observe. "The distances between the dots? They're consistent."
Matthew leans over my shoulder. "You think he's hunting in a specific area?"
"I think he has a comfort zone," I say, tracing a circle on the screen. "These five women disappeared within this radius. The others are outliers."
"Or practice," Trenton suggests, his voice hard.
The thought makes me shiver, but I push it aside. "We need to find where he's taking them. Where he's keeping them."
"The bodies were found in the state forest," Ethan reminds us. "But that could be a dumping ground, not his primary location."
I think about Charlie, about the shoes that were too small, and the way she'd clung to me. "He has a place. Somewhere he feels safe. Somewhere he can take them without being seen."
Greyson moves to stand beside us. "The club can cover the state forest while the police search the urban areas."
"We need to move now," I say, feeling time slipping away. "Every minute we waste, Charlie could be…"
I can't finish the sentence. Can't voice the fear that claws at my throat.
"We'll find her," Trenton promises, his hand finding mine. "We'll find them both."
As the club moves into action, I watch these men, these dangerous, loyal men, prepare to hunt down a monster. I should be terrified, should be hiding somewhere safe.
But as I look at the faces of the women on Techy's screen, I know I can't. They deserve justice. Charlie deserves a chance.
And I, with my dark hair and blue eyes, understand the monster better than anyone.
"We'll start with the forest," I tell Greyson. "I want to see where he left them."
My father starts to protest, but I cut him off with a look. "I need to do this, Dad. I need to understand him if we're going to find Charlie."
After a long moment, he nods, his face tight with worry. "I'm coming with you."
"All of us," Trenton says, his arm slipping around my waist. "We stick together."
As we move toward the door, Matthew falls into step beside us. "I've got a contact at the coroner's office. I might be able to get us more information about the victims."
"Do it," I say. "We need everything we can get."
Outside, the morning sun is bright, mocking the darkness we're facing. I pause at the edge of the clubhouse parking lot, looking back at the building that has been my second home for so long.
"Morgan?" Trenton's voice is gentle.
I turn to face him, to face Matthew and my father. "I need you to understand," I say, my voice steady despite the fear that still lingers. "I'm not the same girl you left behind. I can handle this."
"We know," Matthew assures me.
"Do you?" I ask, looking between them. "Because I'm not going to hide while Evan is out there. I'm going to help find him. I'm going to help find Charlie."