Page 76 of Watercolor Skulls

“Yeah, just looking for a friend. She told me she used to hang out around here.”

The sun is setting, bringing a close to the day. We should have been having supper as a family, hashing this whole Jenny thing out. But now I realize I know just as much about Lily as I do Jenny. Which is nothing. Both are a mystery.

“Ah, I saw the look on your face. I was worried you might be here to jump.” His gaze roams over the others on the bridge before resting back on me. “What’s her name? I’ve been walking this bridge for almost two decades, maybe it will ring a bell.”

He thought I was going to jump. What the fuck? I peek over the edge of the bridge. No fucking thank you, it’s a long way down a one way street. Dirk walks up. He shrugs. No luck on his end. I turn back to the officer. “Yeah, my friend’s name is Lily.” If that’s even her real name.

The man stares at the water below. “The girl who jumped a few weeks ago?” He blinks a few times as if he’s seen a ghost.

“Well if it were the same Lily I would think I would have better luck searching the graveyard. I just saw my Lily this morning so not the same girl. Thanks though.” I start to head back the way we came, disappointed we didn’t find anything.

“She lived.”

I stop dead in my tracks.

Dirk lights up a cigarette. “You mean someone jumped off this thing and fucking lived?”

The officer nods, staring straight ahead. “Not many do. She is one of the one percent.” He takes off his hat to wipe his brow. “I watched her for a few minutes before I approached. They get this far off look on their face. That’s why I noticed you.” He points at me before continuing. “She looked so lost, so alone. I reached for her. Told her I could help. She looked at me but then a dragonfly caught her attention. It was the darndest thing. She watched it land on the cable beside her, smiled and then she just let go.”

Dirk grips my shoulder hard, pinning me in place. It can’t be her. She wouldn’t…

the bruises…

the dragonfly…

she said she had a fall…

a fucking fall…

“The girl who jumped, her name was Lily?” Dirk asks the officer.

“Yeah, Lily Ramsey, the Senator’s daughter. Is she the one you’re looking for?”

“Our Lily has a class A asshole for a father, so Senator’s daughter sounds about right,” Dirk answers, his fingers digging into my shoulder, keeping me grounded.

Everything slowly clicks into place. I force myself to look over the edge again.

She stood here, hopeless, alone and she fell. Oh god. I think I’m going to be sick.

“You know I’ve never liked that guy. He’s disgusting. Everyone knows what he’s about.” The officer throws his hands up. “Pricks like him always seem to walk. You know he’s been accused of some pretty nasty shit, but not once has he ever been charged. He’s got big names in his pocket.” He taps the side of the railing. “Poor girl. I didn’t know it was her until after they pulled her out. I tried to visit her a few times but didn’t even get inside the gate. They told me she wasn’t feeling well. She must be feeling better though. I read in the paper that she’s getting married tomorrow.”

Dirk drops his cigarette on the ground, stomping it out with his boot. “Let’s go.”

I thank the officer, shaking his hand. He gives me his card. “If you talk to her, let her know I’ve been thinking about her. I didn’t get to her in time that day…” he sighs, “but, if there is anything she needs, you tell her to call me.”

I tap the card in my palm before pocketing it. “Could it have been an accident? I mean did she just fall?”

He shakes his head sadly. “It wasn’t an accident. I’m sorry.”

Nodding, I turn away from him.

Dirk calls everyone back to the hotel. We gather in the attached restaurant. He explains what we know. I’m not listening. Hearing it once was enough.

“What are we going to do?” JD asks.

Dirk signals the waitress to bring another round of drinks. “Well I guess that’s up to Dan.”

I down my drink, slamming the empty glass on the table. “I’m going to kidnap the bride.”

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