Sheriff Travis Hudson and Chief Deputy Pam Olson conclude a reinterview with Anne about her and Sarah Morgan’s alibi the night Kelly Summers was killed. Anne offers no new details and struggles to recall her original testimony, prompting Olson to suggest the account might not have been truly hers. Hudson laments lost opportunities to verify the alibi years ago due to former Sheriff Ryan Stevens’s handling of the case, and Olson urges focusing on present actions.

They review the parallel Stacy Howard disappearance. Hudson reports no hospital or jail hits and ongoing interviews by Lieutenant Nagel’s team. For the Summers reinvestigation, they plan to reinterview remaining figures: Bob Miller last, Scott Summers (missing since the trial), and note Jesse Hook’s death by overdose. They discuss Sarah Morgan carefully because Hudson has learned a judge is likely to grant Sarah’s motion to reopen Adam Morgan’s case, which could expose the department legally. Stevens is in surgery and will be unable to speak for days.

Hudson doubts they will obtain definitive proof in the twelve-year-old Summers case unless multiple perpetrators were involved and one breaks silence. Their discussion is interrupted when Nagel calls: Stacy Howard’s vehicle has been found on Lawson Road.

At the dead-end subdivision, Hudson and Olson assess the scene around Stacy’s abandoned black Hyundai Santa Fe. Forensics are processing the SUV; dried blood is observed on the steering wheel, indicating a likely abduction. With no immediate family for reference DNA, Sergeant Lantz is dispatched to collect a hairbrush and toothbrush from Stacy’s apartment for comparisons, and to speak with roommate Deena about a possible phone password. Deputy Lane will enter Stacy as critically missing into NCIC and VCIN.

Hudson directs Olson to consult the Bureau of Criminal Investigation so state police can handle potential alerts and media coordination. There are no traffic cameras in the area, suggesting either luck or deliberate use of a surveillance blind spot. A dead cell phone is recovered and sent to the lab for unlocking, since the carrier does not store texts.

Nagel shows Hudson a white business card for Bob Miller found in the SUV. While the item raises suspicion, Hudson declines to bring Bob back in immediately, citing recent questioning and lack of direct evidence to hold him. He orders the business card sent to the lab and requests a full background check on Stacy Howard, following a gut instinct.

As the team executes assignments, Hudson acknowledges the missed first forty-eight hours and balances his suspicion of Bob with a commitment to avoid tunnel vision, especially given the department’s past failures in the Summers case.