The investigating detective on the case was out on patrol when they contacted him so they didnt meet at the station. Instead, they met at a small coffee shop several blocks away from the Williamsburg Bridge. This was perfectly fine with Rachel, as she needed the caffeine boost and had not yet eaten anything substantial for breakfast. The detectives name was Branson, and he had the look of a guy who never quite got enough sleep and overcompensated to make it appear otherwise. He was ruggedly handsome, his late-thirties face outlined in a five oclock shadow that looked like it might have been spray-painted on. His black hair was closely cropped, making him look a bit younger than he likely was.

After initial introductions, they sat down at a table in the back. I figure I can take you over to the Williamsburg Bridge first, he said. Its the only one of the sites that makes it look like there might have been foul playa third party, or something. And its just enough to make you wonder if the other two might have been a little off as well.

Clear something up for us, would you? Jack said. Agent Gift says she read somewhere that three people each week attempt to throw themselves off of the George Washington Bridge. How accurate is that?

Pretty accurate, Id say, Branson said. He sipped from his coffee and shrugged. Around the holidays its more.

And when we say attempt, what does that mean, exactly?

Most of the time, someone will see an individual trying to get out past the suicide gates or barriers and call it in to the police. The majority of the time, the police talk them out of it. Other times, the would-be jumper will change their minds while theyre out there and either call the cops themselves or wave down a passerby and have them call for help.

The report says that for the third jumper, there was a witness down below that may have seen a second person up there. Were you able to speak with them?

Yes, and her account is muddy at best. She said she heard a yelping sound that she assumed was the man falling. When she looked up, she said she saw the falling body first, but then saw what she thought was a fleeting shadow up on the edge of the bridge. There one minute and gone the next. She said it looked like it was a figure running off. And thats all we got.

The yelp seems weird to me, Rachel said. If he was up there to jump, where would the yelp come from? Youd think hed only cry out in surprise, right?

Right. And its another reason this one on the Williamsburg Bridge seems fishy to me.

Are there any details from the first two that stick out to you? Jack asked.