Over the next few days, more of Charmouth’s residents joined the expanding search for Mia. Teams trudged through sucking mud and tangled underbrush, voices growing raw from ceaseless shouts of Mia’s name. But as hour after agonizing hour passed without any sign of the girl, nerves began to fray. Shock and worry curdled into suspicion and accusation.

Jonathan noticed the whispers circulating—how coincidental his drone found Mia’s bag right after she went missing. Some believed he was involved somehow, and should be interrogated as more than just a volunteer. The scrutinizing stares and hostile tones when others uttered his name cut Jonathan deeply. Didn’t they realize how desperately he wanted Mia home safely too? He had been the one to alert police in the first place!