While Mike made arrangements for the pair to meet with Pete Miller in Tyler, Steve quickly scrambled to take care of some administrative tasks. He took a Polaroid of the bagged keys before sending the set onto the lab with the other items the police team found in Goldman's car. He also wanted to make a copy of the receipt from the gas station in Stockton and an extra copy of the missing persons photo, thinking that the stop would be on their way.

The small service station, on the east side of Stockton was not terribly busy when the detectives pulled in. After showing the receipt and missing person's photo to the older man behind the cash register, Steve described the car of interest. The older man simply shook his head and noted that there were many strangers passing through and for something that much earlier, it was unlikely that he could recall anything. Checking his schedule against the receipt, he also concluded he was not at the gas station at that particular day and time. He did offer to ask the attendant on duty if he recalled anything, at least when his coworker returned from his fishing trip. Figuring there was little more to be gained, the the detectives thanked the man and gave him their cards in case something came up.

A couple hours later, Steve and Mike caught up with Pete Miller, who escorted the pair to the scene of the young reporter's murder, behind a row of hedges near a parking lot behind the Tyler Times office.

"Was there any sign of sexual assault?" Steve asked as they neared the crime scene, roped off with yellow crime scene tape. Steve wondered how often they needed to pull that supply out for what has otherwise been known as a peaceful town.

"Not at all. Outside of the single bullet wound, there appeared to be no other trauma to the young woman. My hunch is that she knew the person," Pete answered.

"Any footprints?" Mike asked.

"No, unfortunately, it's been bone dry here," Pete said.

"So behind a hedge...are we thinking she was placed there after she died?" Steve asked.

"Absolutely that's what we're thinking. You see that spot? About eight feet away, you'll see a blood stain in the grass."

"And she was shot?" Mike asked as he continued to survey the area. Looking up and down the street of the pristine village, it was hard for him to imagine what dark circumstances caused this woman's death.

"Single shot, close range and definitely some damage done to the poor girl. She was probably dead before she hit the ground."

"Mr. Goldman was hit with a 38. We'll want to do a ballistics match of course."

"No doubt about that, Steve," Pete replied.

"Wouldn't someone have heard the shot?" Steve asked.

"It's been reported for several, but at first they said it sounded just like a backfire. No one thought a thing. Shootings just don't happen here."

"Well, welcome to our world, Pete," Mike quipped. "All right, then who would have done this? Was Jenna Garson married, having problems at home?" Mike asked.

Pete shook his head. "She was fresh out of college, actually attended Berkeley and got her journalism degree. Anyone who knew her here would tell you that she was career minded and while she enjoyed the community, she was determined to put out good work. She was going places, at least that's what her editor said."

"So the obvious question is - did she find something out about Jacob Goldman's murder?" Mike wondered.

"I'll introduce you to the editor and we can look at what was on Ms. Garson's desk."