RE: Long story.....I hit but did not recover a deer.
I know how you feel. Last year I hit a doe a little too far back. I waited 8 hours and went in. I found her about 30 from the last spot I saw her. It was a high lung shot. She never bled one ounce of blood. It was light pinkish blood.
The first deer I ever hit was hit in the same spot. A little far back and high right under the back bone. I never found that deer but was happy to see it a week later. Some how it survived being hit with a clean pass through.
Keep looking and good luck. I hope you get him.