“Yeah, sad, sad story. Girl worked two jobs to support her mama and grandmama, both are disabled. She worked during the day for the casino as a data specialist and then worked nights doin’ private contract work.”
“That should have paid well,” said Ben.
“It did but the two older women needed a lot of care. Her grandmama is in her eighties, had two strokes and needs constant care. Her mama is in her sixties and has breast cancer. Been goin’ through treatments, almost done, but she couldn’t work.”
“Damn,” muttered Cam. “Why can’t anything be simple?”
“You’re askin’ me?” he frowned. “That girl was the only thing keepin’ them goin’. They’re devastated. I don’t know what she was thinkin’.”
“That she couldn’t do it anymore,” said Cam. “I can’t imagine the pressure and stress all of that was causing her. She was what, thirty? Thirty-five?”
“Twenty-nine. Miracle baby for her mama and daddy. Her daddy died about five years ago, hit by a drunk driver.”
“Shit,” muttered Adam.
“Yeah, life ain’t all that sweet sometimes boys. I can tell you that the folks she worked with were shocked beyond belief. No one suspected that she was depressed at all.”
“Do you know for a fact that she was depressed?” asked Cam.
“Cam, people don’t jump off bridges unless they’re depressed,” he said staring at him. Cam only nodded, realizing what a stupid thing he’d said.
“Let’s go talk with the folks at the casino,” said Ben. “Maybe they can give us some additional insight into what was happening with her. Are the mama and grandmama willing to speak with us?”
“I’m sure they are,” said the sheriff. “They’re trying to figure out what they’re going to do for money. The girl had a life insurance policy but it doesn’t pay out on a suicide.” Cam looked at Adam and Ben, nodding.
“I think we can take care of that,” he said. They left the sheriff’s office and headed to the casino, finding her supervisor.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said shaking his head. He was a tall man from India with jet black hair and dark eyes. “She was one of my best analysts, fast, on time, always willing to do more.”
“Did she act any differently these last few weeks or months?” asked Cam.
“The sheriff asked me the same question. I can’t put a finger on anything. Edie was always happy, always smiling. We used her full name, Edie Rose, because it was such a pretty name and described her, like a rose.” He smiled and then shook his head again, a tear forming in his eye.
“I’m sorry, we know this is hard for you,” said Cam.
“I have children, teenagers,” said the man. “Edie was obviously older but she could have been one of my kids and I thought of her that way. She seemed happy and energetic, always willing to help those around her.”
“Did you know about her issues with her mother and grandmother?” asked Adam.
“Oh, yes. She was very open about it and I gave her full leeway to take off when she needed to. I never worried about her finishing her work or getting things done. She would work from home or from the doctor’s office, even when I told her she didn’t need to. I thought her mother had taken a turn for the better.”
“Did she not?” asked Adam.
“I think she did,” he said looking up with some surprise. “I mean, last time we spoke the doctors were hopeful and she seemed thrilled with the outcome of her treatments. Her grandmother wasn’t going to get any better but they’d found a home health nurse that was visiting every day. It all seemed to be getting better for her.”
The men just sat quietly for the longest time, looking from one face to the other.
“You know, I’ve tried to make sense of all of this. How does someone come into an office every day, talk to their colleagues, laughing, making jokes, going to lunch with them, always smiling. They leave at night waving, come into the office in the morning, smiling and waving. How does someone like that decide to jump off a bridge?” he asked.
“I’m not sure we know the answer to that,” said Cam. “We’re trying to find an answer. Maybe you should speak to someone.”
“I am,” he nodded. “My wife is making me.” He laughed, then shook his head again, tearing up.
“It’s okay to be sad, you know,” said Adam.
“I know. I’m just such a mess over this. If she’d been openly depressed or showed any signs at all of stress, I might understand all this.”
“What about her coworkers? Did anyone see anything different or hear anything different?”
