12:37 PM, Saturday, February 21st
A Gas Station on Rt. 60, Southwest of Dresden, Ohio
“He parked a red Ford, a Focus I think, at a pump on the other side of the island. I only caught the first couple of plate numbers but the guy looked like that drawing they keep showing on the news.” The 60 something year old station attendant waved his right hand up and out toward the television mounted on the wall over the drink coolers.
“I couldn’t remember what the hell number I was supposed to call so I just dialed 911 like the owner’s been pounding into me all these years. You and your men...pardon me Miss,” he dipped his head toward Janet, “you can handle this. I don’t want no part of it, just doin’ what’s right, is all.”
“Which way did he go when he left?” I asked him.
“Pulled out of here, headed northeast.”
“We’ve had a lot of false leads, Sheriff.”
I looked back over my shoulder, through the glass doors at the old guy who was watching me too. Turning so he couldn’t read my expression, I told her, “This one’s on to something.”
“How’s that?
“The farm where Katie’s body was found is only ten minutes from here.” I didn’t bother to reveal that Dana had nearly tangled with a guy in a maroon colored Ford.
“So, now what?”
“We take a look around after we give the tip to the FBI task force.”