Chapter 5 - Unraveling the Grid
In the sterile confines of the precinct conference room, Detective Miller stared down at the contents of the black backpack spread across the stainless-steel table.
"A drainage ditch behind the industrial park," Miller muttered, running a hand over his stubbled jaw. "Half a mile from his house. The water level crested at six feet during the peak of the storm on Tuesday night."
"He didn't run away, Miller," Natalie said, leaning against the chalkboard. "Look at the evidence. His wallet with eighty-four dollars in cash is inside the waterproof bag. His ID is there. His employee badge is there. No man on the run leaves his cash and his identification behind."
"People in panic states do irrational things, Natalie," Miller countered, though his voice lacked its previous conviction. "He could have panicked, tossed his bag, and kept running."
"And the pharmacy bag?" Natalie challenged, tapping her finger against the plastic container of amoxicillin. "He bought the medicine, Miller! He made it to the pharmacy, picked up the prescription, and started walking back home. But he never made it past the industrial park."
Miller fell silent. He picked up the faded photograph of the smiling woman and the baby, turning it over in his calloused hands. On the back, written in neat cursive, were the words: Andrew & Claire. Our new beginning. May 1st.
"If he didn't run... what happened to him?" Miller asked quietly.
"The storm," Natalie said grimly. "That drainage canal isn't just a ditch when the water rises—it's a raging, concrete death trap. The current was violent enough to rip up mature trees by the roots. If someone slipped on the muddy embankment while carrying a heavy bag in the dark..."
She didn't need to finish the thought. The implication hung in the air like a shroud.
"We need a full search and rescue grid," Miller said, standing up and grabbing his radio off the table. "Not just the banks. We need divers in the lower basin where the canal feeds into the river."
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"How long will it take to authorize?" Natalie asked.
"Don't worry about authorization," Miller replied, his eyes hard. "I'll call the captain right now. If Andrew Jenkins is down in that water, we're going to find him."
