3.0 AVK Loose screw inside timing cover- Where's it from?

[sinful7]

I found this tiny screw trapped inside my timing cover when I opened it up. Any idea where it's from? It's not one of the eight holding the VVT actuators in place.

[sinful7]

I'm wondering if it's from the backside of one of the cam gears, and if that means more trouble ahead...

[sinful7]

It's also not from the back of the cam gears- they're all in there, and they're larger. This one is maybe an M5 size.

[03a4b6quattro]

Does it sound like you are dragging a trail of cans behind the car?

[sinful7]

No, no it doesn't sound like that at all.

[kwilson]

One of the bolts that attach the upper covers?

[deyrag]

What exactly do you mean by timing cover? The plastic covers over the cam belt?

[sinful7]

I actually think I noticed it when I removed the crankshaft dampener, and the lower timing cover. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure if I found it in the timing case or just sitting here, on the top of the upper oil pan: