Told in retrospect, Jane is receiving councilling from her analyst after having killed someone. It is Christmas, Jane is alone, feeling vunerable, stressed, suffering from panic attacks, drinking a little too much and to cap it all, is called in to help investigate the case of a mass murderer who has shot the customers in a country diner. There are few survivors who provide little in the way of clues. One man, Ray Harvey, the local garage mechanic, is their best hope, but he is a reformed alcoholic, who has fallen off the wagon as a result of the shooting. Detective Eric Ringer works with Jane and falls for her. On New Year's Eve, Eric arrives at Jane's apartment, finding her somewhat under the influence of drink. They end up in bed. Afterwards, Jane is at her lowest ebb. She takes Eric's gun and puts it in her mouth - echoing her father's suicide. Shaking her out of her depression is a call from Ray asking for her assistance.