Jacob Miller had been involved in some shady dealings before his disappearance, entangling himself with unsavory characters in a desperate attempt to provide for his family after losing his job. Linda claimed ignorance of these activities, maintaining that Jacob had kept his troubles hidden from her, wanting to shield his family from the darkness closing in on him.

The officers sifted through the couple’s past, piecing together a picture of a man driven to desperation, perhaps too proud to ask for help. And yet, as Linda began to understand the gravity of the situation, she realized she might have missed subtle signs, being too wrapped up in her own worries to notice Jacob’s growing distress.

Meanwhile, young Lily, the girl who had made the initial call, became a crucial piece of the puzzle. Her dreams of her father weren’t just figments of her imagination, the investigators speculated; they were rooted in some form of subconscious recognition. Children often pick up on things adults overlook, and Lily had been no exception.