Poor cops and the town...but it's not their fault. I mean, obviously you want to be looking for the signs but if people are hiding them and there are no obvious things and they're lying then how would you know? I'm so glad that Avery's safe in the hospital and that Desiago guy better frickin get arrested. The prick. I hope he and the father rot in jail.
I think this story is so fantastic the way it really gets you invested in the characters to the point where you're willing them to do things that you obviously have no control over (you're the writer, we're just readers) but this is a testament to how phenomenal you've woven this story so congrats and I cannot wait for the next chapter.