Jonathan paced anxiously as police examined the crime scene. Rain pelted down in sheets, driven sideways by fierce winds. But he hardly noticed the storm. His mind was consumed with horrific imaginings of what could have happened to Mia after losing her backpack here.

When confirmation came that the orange bag did indeed belong to the missing girl, the color drained from Jonathan’s face. He barely heard the officer’s instructions through the blood pounding in his ears.