Page 119 of Johnny

And I want Maisy to have a real father. Two, I guess, since Michael Conner counts.

But how do I get there from here?

That’s the part that doesn’t make sense yet.

Brooke’s plan is fine. Maybe it will work. But we can’t even get to the starting line until I figure

out what the fuck is going on with the Way and what the hell happened to Charlotte.

She has to be my key. She has to.

Because what do I have without Charlotte?

I’ve hung this whole thing on her shoulders. I’m counting on her to help me. And that’s stupid. We

don’t even know each other anymore.

But it’s not really specifically Charlotte. She’s not some magic answer to some unsolvable

problem. She’s just the only missing woman I have to work with at the moment. She’s the only lead I

have to answer the question, Why do all the mothers disappear?

Because I just know this is the question I need to answer. What are they doing with the women?

“OK,” Megan says. “I guess I’m ready.”

I pull myself out of the introspection and realize we’re pulling into the parking lot of the docks. I

check my phone and realize we’re running behind. Twenty-five minutes have passed and it will take

at least another ten to get to Logan.

As soon as the car stops I’ve got the door open and I’m getting out. “Let’s go,” I say, reaching back

to offer Megan my hand.

She smiles, thinking I’m being chivalrous, accepts my offer, and allows me to pull her out of the

backseat.

“Thanks,” I call to the driver, then slam the door and tug Megan towards the boat.

She has to jog to keep up with my long, determined strides. “Slow down,” she says.

“Can’t. We’re late. I don’t want to fuck this up and we’re on a tight timeline if we want to make it

out to that island in time.”

“What do you mean? We have plenty of time. It’s just a little after six. That island is only about two

hours away, max.”

I don’t answer her. Just tug her along until we’re at the yacht, then point to the cabin and say, “Start

the engine for me, will ya?”

Megan stares at me for a moment. I’m scaring her, I can tell. She’s not panicking. Yet. But she’s