Chapter 208 of All the Colors of the Dark begins with Agent Gil briefing Saint in the Miami Division building about the urgent case of Ashlee Miller, a twenty-two-year-old woman who was abducted earlier that day from Crystal Avenue. A van had mounted the sidewalk, quickly taking Ashlee into its confines, and now, two hours later, she is still missing. The atmosphere in the room is thick with tension as the agents discuss the motives behind the abductions, and Saint, growing more frustrated, notes that the perpetrator seems to target individuals she labels as “sinners,” making the investigation all the more challenging. With so little to go on, their path forward is uncertain, and the absence of clear leads weighs heavily on their minds.

Inside the small, confined office, time seems to be slipping away as Agent Gil continues to make urgent phone calls, trying to gain any valuable information that could lead them to Ashlee. Meanwhile, Saint flips through the case files, reflecting on past cases of missing persons, specifically that of a sixteen-year-old named Summer Reynolds. Summer’s story had been one of confusion and tension, marked by a troubled relationship with her boyfriend and an impressive talent in music and mathematics. As Saint reads through the files, she finds herself yearning for insights that go beyond the surface details of the case, hoping to find a deeper connection between the various missing persons she’s encountered. The weight of the investigation begins to feel more personal as she tries to piece together a puzzle with missing pieces, feeling the pressure of the clock ticking away.

The investigation takes a turn when Saint uncovers a surprising detail about Summer—despite not being popular, she had been a skilled Girl Scout with strong survival abilities. This discovery leads her to wonder if Ashlee Miller might share similar hobbies, such as camping, which could help connect the two cases. Saint is then informed by Agent Gil that Ashlee had spent the previous weekend camping in the Ocala National Forest with her girlfriend. This piece of information stirs a brief thought in Saint’s mind about Eli Aaron, a man who had previously mentioned his fondness for camping. She begins to question whether Eli might have crossed paths with Ashlee or if he could have been involved in targeting her, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.

As the search intensifies, Agent Gil acts quickly to mobilize resources, understanding that the suspect might have altered the vehicle’s license plates to evade detection. He coordinates patrol cars to monitor campsites in the Keys, hoping to catch any trace of the abductor or their vehicle. Saint, still grappling with the uncertainty of the situation, watches as the team’s efforts unfold with a sense of urgency. She knows time is of the essence, and every moment could mean the difference between life and death for Ashlee. Just as the tension reaches its peak, a phone call comes in, signaling that they may be on the verge of a breakthrough in their search. This marks a pivotal moment in the investigation, offering a glimmer of hope amid the chaos.

The chapter culminates in a gripping, time-sensitive investigation, highlighting the mounting anxiety and determination of the characters as they race against the clock to solve the case. The stakes are high, and Saint is reminded of the emotional toll that comes with each missing person she encounters. The complexity of the case grows with each new lead, and the possibility of connecting Ashlee’s abduction with past cases, especially that of Summer Reynolds, adds depth to the mystery. The chapter portrays the relentless drive to uncover the truth, despite the many obstacles and uncertainties that lie ahead.