Whoever he was, he couldnt be farther from the truth.

And why was Briannas body so far from her car? What had persuaded her to get out and cross this road?

If it was the same person as the one who had killed Lexa and Michelle the unsub, as Danielle referred to him the answer was obvious. Hed somehow convinced Brianna that he needed help. What had he done? Pulled to the side of the road? Made it look like hed been in an accident? Or had a medical emergency? Damn this man. It enraged Morgan that this monster was playing on the best and kindest instincts these women had to lure them to him. The murderer knew that Brianna and Michelle and Lexa would stop to help a total stranger. He understood their empathy and compassion. Then he used it against them.

Twilight was approaching. Morgan walked up the road to try to get his emotions under control and to see if there was anything interesting in that direction before the light failed. There wasnt a lot he could do while the crime scene investigators were still working. Danielle had gone to be part of the group that was talking to people in the few houses along this road. Chances of them having heard anything werent good, but they had to cover every base. What was Brianna doing out here anyway? Hed be surprised if she lived any place nearby. It all felt so futile. He kicked a pine cone in front of him as he went.

Then he stopped. In front of him, there were clear marks of someone having made a rapid U turn in the road. He looked down the road toward the crime scene. Brianna would have been able to see that spot in her rearview mirror. Had something happened that made her turn around to look? Maybe the sound of another car crashing?

Morgan jogged back down the road and waved over one of the crime scene investigators, a young Black man with glasses. Im not sure this means anything, but there are some tire marks in the road up there. He pointed to where hed walked.

The man squinted up the road. Tire marks?

Like someone made a fast U-turn.

Ill take a look. If theyre a match for the car, it could be helpful. He made a note on his clipboard and started to walk away.

Finding anything else that looks interesting? Morgan asked.

The investigator glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone was listening and then said, No. Not a thing. Well maybe be able to get an idea of his vehicle from the tire tracks, but its a real long shot.

It felt like the whole thing was a long shot. They were searching for the connection, but without knowing what form it would take, it was hard to figure out where to look.