The Disappearance Investigation

This flow follows Aza Holmes and Daisy Ramirez from an unusual lead to the discovery of what happened to Russell Pickett.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Reward on the Radio

A Reward on the Radio A familiar name A report announces that Russell Pickett has disappeared and offers $100,000 for information. The news connects Aza Holmes to Davis Pickett, a boy she knew from camp. A possible opening Daisy Ramirez sees a chance to investigate, while Aza remembers the Pickett estate and its hidden wildlife camera.

The Camera in the Woods

The Camera in the Woods Returning to old ground Aza Holmes and Daisy Ramirez paddle to the woods beside the Pickett estate, hoping to find the motion-activated camera. Their childhood geography becomes a route into a current mystery. A fragment of evidence The camera holds a nighttime image of a man in a striped shirt, apparently leaving the estate after Russell Pickett vanished.

A Private Timeline

A Private Timeline Evidence withheld Aza Holmes screenshots the image but leaves before reviewing every earlier photograph. She and Daisy Ramirez have a detail the police apparently do not: a possible sighting after the reported disappearance. The temptation to act Daisy sees a potential claim on the reward; Aza is less certain that the image proves anything about Russell Pickett's destination.

A Case Kept Quiet

A Case Kept Quiet A bargain Davis Pickett realizes that Aza Holmes and Daisy Ramirez possess the night-vision photograph. He gives them $100,000 in hidden cash so they will not turn the evidence over to investigators. Investigation paused Aza promises not to share it, despite her growing concern about Noah Pickett and her doubts about accepting the money.

The Jogger's Mouth

The Jogger's Mouth A place name becomes a clue At the unfinished tunnel, Aza Holmes and Daisy Ramirez recognize that the note “the jogger’s mouth” may refer to the mouth of Pogue’s Run. The clue points toward the unfinished construction site, not toward an ordinary hiding place. The question reaches Davis Aza tells Davis Pickett what they found. He later chooses, with Noah Pickett, to tell the police where to look.

Early September, during the drive after school

The following afternoon, beside White River

That afternoon, after downloading the camera images

Late September, after Davis Pickett offers the cash

Late autumn, during the underground art show