Roan let out a low whistle. “While she was still married?”
Anson nodded. “Damien came home from work early one day, had a headache, and found his wife and her workout buddy in bed together. Their bed.”
“Having your wife cheat on you doesn’t turn someone into a serial killer,” I ground out.
“No. There’s also a history of antisocial behavior. No close friends. Barely talked to his family. I’m still digging, but this friend thought it was weird that Damien was a vet.”
“Why?” Grae asked from her spot at the end of the table.
Anson glanced at her. “He refused to get a pet for Reina. Said animals ruin homes.”
“Control freak,” Nash muttered.
“I’d say he definitely needs control. Based on Hallie’s statements from five years ago and looking at the photos of his ex, I think he’s trying to replace his wife.”
That sick feeling was back in my gut as Anson turned the laptop around. The woman wasn’t as beautiful as Hallie, and her eyes were green instead of gray, but there was no denying the resemblance. Young, fair, pale blond hair, and a petite frame. Just like she resembled the other victims from five years ago and the ones from now. The only one who didn’t fit was Kimber Anderson.
“Kimber Anderson had red hair. And her death doesn’t match the others,” I pointed out.
Anson nodded. “My best guess is he needed an outlet for his rage at seeing Hallie again. She didn’t fit the mold, so he didn’t keep her.”
“But he’s not just looking for a replacement.” My voice was low, unrecognizable. “He’s killing her over and over again.”
Anson turned his computer back toward himself. “I think they do something that either proves they aren’t similar to Reina or indicates they’re unworthy. Hallie didn’t do that in all the days he had her. She’s smart. She’ll hang on.”
I shoved back from the table, sending my chair flying. “But what the hell is he doing to her in the meantime?”
Anson’s face closed down. I knew he understood what it was to have a loved one in the hands of a madman.
Roan stood, stalking around the table to me. “Rein it in. You won’t be doing a damned thing for her if you lose it now.”
The muscle beneath my eye fluttered wildly. “I can’t lose her.”
“So, let’s all pull our shit together andfindher,” Roan growled. “I’d like a few minutes alone with this asshole. He’s been alone with my wife and daughter.”
“You need to start where she was found before,” Anson said, his voice devoid of emotion.
Dad turned to him. “Why do you say that?”
“He’s trying to finish what he started. The pull will be strong to go back to his original hunting grounds.”
Holt was already moving, pulling a map out of the pile. “I’ve got that area marked.”
“She was held in a cave, right?” Caden asked.
I nodded. “One big enough to have several rooms. But the authorities never found it back then.”
Caden shook his head. “The FBI doesn’t know the area as well as we do. There’s a massive system of caves just a couple of miles north of where they found her. Some to the west, too.”
“They did some searching around there but said they didn’t find anything,” I argued.
Dad leaned over the maps. “It would’ve taken a hell of a lot of manpower to search everything they needed to. Especially if they weren’t familiar with the area.”
Roan traced a finger over the map. “Here. There used to be a forest service road. It’s not active anymore, but I bet it’s still passable. It’ll get us the closest.”
Holt pulled out his phone. “The team’s ready. I’ll have them meet us there. I want search parties of four. Two SAR team members, two law enforcement. Move. Now.”
Everyone was on their feet and heading for the door. Roan came up to my side. “You ride with me.”
