There were two people that were originally suspects. One was a waitress heading home from her shift at a Waffle House. We already called the supervisor to confirm it and she checked out. The other was a guy out doing some sort of New York at Night vlog or some nonsense. I think theyre still questioning him on the other side of the bridge, but the footage he shot has him five blocks away from here when the traffic cop made the original call.

The body looks way too far out to get to, Jack said. How deep does this river get?

It depends on the time of year but right now its probably about ten or twelve feet beneath where were standing.

Theyre on the way up the river with a patrol boat right now, said another officer. This one was female, and Rachel noted the name above her left breast read Carlisle. Detective Branson is on his way as well.

Thanks. And nice to have a face to go with the name. Officer Carlisle, I wonder if I could borrow your flashlight?

Carlisle handed it over without question. Rachel used it to look around the bridge, looking for anything at all that might serve as some sort of indicator of what had happened. If it was a case of a simple jump, thered be nothing. But if there was some sign of a second party, she intended to find it. The walking space consisted of stable wooden planks

As she searched, she became aware of someone approaching her. She thought it was Jack at first, but it turned out to be Detective Branson. Sorry it took so long, he said. Its been a crazy night with everyone stretched thin because of this. Ive also been talking with the Department of Parks and Recreation to get our hands on the CCTV footage from the cameras over at Highbridge Park. Its a long shot, but worth checking, Id think.

For sure.

Are you looking for anything in particular?

I dont know. Im just thinking that if there was someone who pushed our victim, theres nowhere to really sneak up on them from. They had to have been lying in wait, maybe even down on the ground. But I cant see anything that points to that.

Someone else came hurrying over and this time it was Jack. The boat just showed up, he said, hitching a thumb over his shoulder. Rachel looked in that direction and saw a small floodlight beaming out, scanning the water and falling just shy of the floating body.

As Rachel and Jack walked back down the way theyd come, to the Manhattan side of the bridge, a few of the other officers started to head out and go their separate ways. Four others, including Carlisle and Branson, hung around to see the scene out.