Who is Win Pollard from Pattern Recognition and what is their importance?

Win Pollard has been missing since September 11, 2001. Neither Cayce or her mother had known he was in New York, and neither knew why. At the time of his disappearance he'd been working on obtaining patents related to humane crowd control barricades for concerts. The company he worked with was located on Fifth Avenue, but they hadn't been aware of his presence in the city either. Cayce's mother, Cynthia, was convinced he was a victim of the World Trade Center from the beginning. They learn that the CIA had a branch office in one of the neighboring buildings. and they supposed he was visiting an old friend or associate from before.

Cayce hears her father's voice throughout some of the more difficult challenges she faces, during which times he gives her sound advice or encouragement. After she locates the creator of the footage, she is given a folder that takes her through the movements on his last day.