“Well, I don’t buy that, Susan. Whatever your reason, it will come out, because I’ll feel obligated to raise the question with Bradshaw myself. Then it will pass beyond any control I have to help you and Davie if it’s something that could be viewed as detrimental to Jonathan’s standing within the Secret Service.”

Susan started weeping, and sniffles punctuated her words.

“Oh, it would be detrimental. He was sick. Severe headaches began about eight months ago. Unexplained bouts of nausea. His doctor scheduled a brain scan. It was a glioblastoma brain tumor. Inoperable.”

“I’m so sorry, Susan. Did he decline all treatments?”

“His oncologist said radiation and chemo might stretch his life expectancy six months. Johnny called it six more months of sickness. And he’d have to go on medical leave with reduced disability pay. He said he wanted to work as long as he could, because he knew we needed every penny to provide for Davie’s long-term needs.”

“He told no one other than you?”

“No. But he was upset that he’d been placed on call-up for presidential detail. He’d been able to work alone more in his cybercrime role. And he was afraid if he started experiencing symptoms like blurred vision or balance problems, he’d be compromising his protection team. That was starting to depress him. Staying with you was a bright spot, as he waited for the inevitable day when he’d have to quit.”

“And that’s why you thought he’d killed himself? He’d succumbed to the depression?”

Susan sighed and wiped her nose. “I guess. In that moment, I felt betrayed because he’d promised he wouldn’t end it that way. And there was another reason. We have a good amount of insurance, given Davie’s condition. He said a suicide might jeopardize the claim, so he wouldn’t risk it.”

“How much is the insurance?”

“Half a million dollars.”

Ethel matched the figure with the amount of counterfeit currency that had gone missing from the evidence room. Had Jonathan’s depression and desperation led him to try to double what he could leave his family?

A bittersweet smile crossed Susan’s lips. “I’ve thought Johnny’s probably happy with how things turned out. He was killed in the line of duty. Our family will receive a death benefit from the service. The insurance will be paid without question.” Her smile faded and tears again flowed. “But at what a terrible price.”

Ethel reached out her arms and folded the grieving woman into a motherly embrace. “There, there, dear. Take comfort that everything he did, he did for his family. For now, let’s keep that between us.”

Chapter 20

“This is Mr. Cooper. He’d like to see your models. Mommy will be in the living room talking with Miss Crestwater.” With these words, Susan Finch had introduced Jesse to Davie and left.