As Andrea strode towards the river, Tony's heart raced with fear. He abruptly cut short his conversation with the Sheriff and rushed after her.
Reaching out, Tony grasped Andrea's arm just as she stood only five feet from the river's edge. "What are you thinking? Are you considering ending your life over a man who betrayed and divorced you?" Tony's voice betrayed his anger and disappointment at Andrea's apparent actions.
A look of surprise flickered across Andrea's face as she recoiled in bewilderment. "What do you mean?" she questioned.
Caught off guard by Andrea's response, Tony struggled for words before finally regaining his composure. "Weren't you about to jump into the river?" he asked.
"Of course not. Why would I do something like that?" Andrea countered, her face etched with confusion as she tried to make sense of Tony's accusations.
After a moment of tension, Tony took a deep breath and proceeded to clarify his actions. "When I saw you heading towards the river, I called out to you three times, but you didn't respond. I got worried and ran after you, thinking you might be in danger or about to harm yourself."
Andrea, understanding Tony's perspective, wasn't offended. "I was actually going towards the river because I believe some of the victims might have ended up there," she explained her suspicions.
Tony's expression turned serious as he realized the potential connection between the nearby factory and the river. The explosion could have propelled victims into the water, and the current might have carried away crucial evidence.
"I'll speak to the sheriff right away to start a search in the river," Tony promptly agreed.
Andrea, having resolved to seek permission to access the river for the search, was convinced that Valentine Anderson's body might have been swept away by the current.
As Andrea made her way towards Tony and the sheriff, she overheard the sheriff expressing his concern to Tony, "Mr. Tony, I wish we could start the search right away, but we lack the necessary manpower."
"Sheriff, you've done a great job so far. I will organize the search immediately with your permission," Andrea interjected.
The sheriff visibly relaxed, grateful that he didn't have to gather manpower and resources for the search. With Andrea willing to take charge, he readily agreed.
"Mrs. Singers, I will write a report immediately and assist with any permissions you may need. However, it will have to wait until dawn; I'll send it after I leave here," the Sheriff said, glancing at his watch to find it was already the middle of the night.
Andrea nodded, understanding the pressure on the sheriff, so she refrained from making any unreasonable requests.
After the sheriff drove away, Andrea and Tony remained standing, watching as the aide workers, mobile medics, and forensic team left the crime scene. The ruins had been cleared, and the victims' bodies had been removed, rendering their presence unnecessary.
Standing by the river's edge, Andrea's silhouette was etched against the water's flow, her gaze lost in its relentless current. Tony watched her, his eyes reflecting a tempest of concern and helplessness. Breaking the silence, he stepped closer and gently urged, "Andrea, it's late. We should head back."
Turning to face him, Andrea nodded with a subdued, "Yes, let's go."
They made their way to Andrea's car, the drive home a quiet affair. Once there, Andrea lay in bed, the grip of sleeplessness holding her tight in its embrace.
As dawn painted the sky, Andrea's resolve had not waned. She drove straight to the police station, securing permission to comb the river, then proceeded to the designated crime scene. Tony, already present, greeted her with an update. "The search team's here. The river runs through two cities; it'll take them a week to cover the entire stretch."
A week was too long for Andrea. Her face set in determination, she commanded, "Increase the number of searchers."
Without hesitation, Tony made calls to bolster their ranks.
Later, glancing at her watch, Andrea informed Tony, "I'm off to pick Pete from the airport."
Tony's expression shifted to one of alarm. "Andrea, why bring Pete to Vegas City? It's not safe here."
With a flat tone, Andrea answered, "My wedding is tomorrow. Pete should be there, and it's time he met his father."
Tony's shock was palpable. He knew the supposed groom, Valentine Anderson, had been declared dead. "Andrea..." he started, unsure how to proceed.
"I'm sane, Tony. I believe Val is alive. We're getting married tomorrow," Andrea stated resolutely before getting into her car and driving off to secure the hotel for her reception and to make arrangements at the church.
After dispatching the wedding invitations, she headed to the airport, where Pete and Agatha awaited her arrival.
"Mommy!" Pete's voice pierced the air, filled with joy as he rushed toward Andrea.
Agatha's eyes met Andrea's, laden with complexity. She had heard of Andrea's insistence on a wedding whose groom was publicly mourned and declared deceased.
Embracing Agatha, Andrea expressed her gratitude. "Thank you so much, Agatha. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Agatha's voice carried weight as she replied, "Andrea, we need to talk."
Andrea nodded. Whatever Agatha needed to discuss must be significant, not a conversation for the bustling airport.
Once at the mansion, Pete's innocent question cut through the tension. "Mom, where's daddy?"