Joe noticed the sleeping bag crumpled up on the van floor. He looked at the others. “Frank was here.” He looked around. “Which way to the river?”

“It’s that way,” Ned said pointing away from the van.

Joe closed the door of the van. He turned and looked at Ned. “Lead the way.”

Ned led the way going the same way Frank had gone. They moved steadily, but found no sign of Frank.

“Do you really think Frank went this way?” Callie asked after a little while.

“I don’t know,” Joe said. “The ground is really dry and I can’t really see any footprints. I just think this is the most likely place he came. We just have to keep looking.”

They continued on searching in silence, hoping to find some sign of Frank.

As they walked, Joe thought about Frank’s theory. He understood Frank had some good points and realized they could have started searching sooner if he had believed his brother. He knew his thoughts that Nancy had died had impaired his judgment and listen to his brother and the possibility that she was all right. Nancy couldn’t have gotten out of the car without some help. The front of the car was in the water. She would have been slumped over the steering wheel if her seatbelt had come unhooked. Her legs would have been under the steering wheel. The front end was damaged, so there was a possibility her legs were pinned. She must have been knocked unconscious when it crashed. But then, how could she have gotten out of the car?

Joe shook his head. He knew Frank’s theory was plausible and that he should have been more supportive, but he also didn’t want to give anyone false hope that they would find Nancy. Part of him wanted to search for her, but another part of him was saying that they shouldn’t. Nancy was dead.

“Joe,” Ned said, breaking into his thoughts.

“What?” Joe asked looking at Ned.

“Are you all right?” Ned asked

“Just thinking.” Joe looked around.

“Well, Frank seems to be making good time,” Ned said.

“We need to catch up,” Joe said.

“But only if he’s gone this way,” Callie said.

“He did,” Joe said. “I know it. Come on.”

They all started walking faster.

* * * * *

Frank got up off a rock. He had taken a break as the sun beat down on him. It was going to be a very warm day. He looked down the river and continued on. He knew there had to be something. He walked for a few minutes. He looked across the water and saw the broken guardrail in the distance. Crews were already trying to shore it up until it could be completely replaced.

Looking at the ground carefully, he had a sense there was something there, but didn’t see anything. The ground was undisturbed. The grass wasn’t matted down and there were no marks in the dirt.

This is ridiculous, he thought. There has to be something. But where is it? Where is the clue that’s going to lead me to Nancy?

All of a sudden, he saw something reflecting from the sunlight. He made his way toward the object. As he reached down for the object, he heard someone yell, “FRANK!”

He turned quickly to see the others standing on the path.

“Oh, Frank,” Callie said hurrying over to him. She gave him a hug. “I was so worried about you.”

Frank looked at Joe over her shoulder. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m worried about you,” Joe said. “I think we need to talk.”

“We don’t need to talk. I already heard enough from you.”

“Frank, you need to listen to us. This isn’t doing any of us, any good. Your theory might be right, but it could also be wrong. Right now, you are just running on emotions.”

Frank tuned Joe out. He didn’t want to hear what Joe had to say. He knew Joe would try to convince him to stop looking for Nancy.

“Frank,” Ned said getting his attention. “You need to stop this. You’re only hurting yourself. You heard what the officer had said. There was little chance Nancy could have survived the accident. As much as I hate to admit it, Nancy is gone. She‘s not coming back.”

Frank pulled away from Callie and focused on Ned. He couldn’t believe how easily Ned was giving up on Nancy. He thought Nancy meant more to him.

“I can’t believe any of you,” Frank sneered focusing on Ned, anger and hatred filling his voice. “None of you deserved her friendship. Friends are supposed to be there for one another. They are there no matter what. Friends don’t give up on one another.”

“Frank,” Ned said.

Frank kept going. “You didn’t deserve Nancy’s friendship at all, Ned. She deserved someone better than you. You’re supposed to love her. But what do you do? The thought that Nancy is gone takes over and you believe it, without proof. You don’t know for sure.” Frank took a step closer to Ned. “I knew you weren’t suitable for Nancy. You’re the one responsible for this.” Frank pointed at Ned, who was getting angry. “Nancy would’ve been better off alone. At least then we would know she was alive.”

All of a sudden, Frank saw Ned’s fist coming at his face. He tried to duck, but it was too late. Ned’s fist connected with Frank’s jaw. Frank fell back. He hit his head on the ground and his eyes closed.