Chapter Ten
The bullpen buzzed with a newfound energy and urgency when Bobby and Derek reported the new information.
"We are looking at a moral-based vigilante killer." Spencer Reid's voice rose in pitch with the excitement of having a lead to chase. He paced in front of the board; one hand clutching a coffee cup and the other waving in the air as he spoke.
Bobby leaned over to Derek. "You really need to get him off the caffeine and sugar. He's more wound up than my three-year olds."
Morgan grinned, picturing the green-eyed, dimpled twins. The comparison was fitting, but he doubted Reid would appreciate it. Morgan watched as Reid paused to take a sip of his sugar-laden coffee.
He stood and took over the briefing. "Our unsub is male, in his mid-twenties to early thirties. He would have been abused as a child or teen. It is possible that he is one of Brian or Drew's victims, so we need to start there. This guy is targeting men who have abused or been accused of abusing boys. Over time, he may devolve to killing men who are innocent, but who he perceives to be guilty."
Morgan paused, sharing a glance with Reid before making eye contact with each of Hudson's team. "He will not stop until we catch him."
"Why did he take Cooper?" Myles asked.
Morgan sighed and shrugged one shoulder. "It could be just because the kid was there when he grabbed Ryan. Or he may be trying to protect the boy. The good news is that he is unlikely to hurt Cooper."
"We can't know that." Murdoch's blue eyes were icy as they snapped up to challenge Morgan. "You can't just assume that Cooper is okay. We have to find him."
"Murdoch." Jack's voice was firmer than Morgan and Reid had heard it before. "No one is assuming anything or giving up. Finding Cooper is still our number one priority. But we're not going to be able to do that if we don't learn about the man who took him." He held Murdoch's gaze with his dark eyes until the young man nodded and slumped slightly in his seat.
Jack rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "Okay. We need to track down Brian and Drew's past victims. Re-interview family, friends, and coworkers in light of this new info."
"We should also try to talk to the Andersons' foster son and to the kids who played ball for these men or who went to the youth center." Bobby's concerned green eyes met Jack's and he gestured toward the board. "What are the chances that men with that kind of past could spend all their time around young boys without doing something?"
"Without God not very high." Myles spoke quietly.
Morgan glanced up at the comment. After a week in D.C he was still surprised by the freeness with which the agents spoke of their faith.
He also couldn't help but notice that Murdoch tensed every time his teammates mentioned God.
Jack nodded in agreement and pinched the bridge of his nose. His shoulders slumped with the magnitude of the task facing them, knowing that the clock was ticking down on Ryan Jenkins' life. And who knew what little Cooper was facing?