> I really hate to ask a question re: this level, especially since I've been through it before, but here goes: I cleared the reds out of a certain area, where I expected to pick up a certain item to access another certain area. I guess maybe I missed it in a dead group's inventory: I can't seem to find it now. Is it still out there and/or am I way off base? Thanks.

If we're talking about the same item, I think it becomes randomly available once you've done something in that area. (I don't know what the "something" is.)

I got into the habit of just clicking fast through the inventory screens looking for one or two specific items, and noticed too late that I had clicked "done" the first time I saw this item. However, I found another one a few battles later and no harm was done.