by Kit DeCanti
“Nine o’clock,” Lenny murmured as he walked away.
Lenny was leaning against the inside of the shed when Ron pulled up next to him. “Only one thing I can think of that would make Dr Fleming pay $10,000 for a patient’s burial. Guilt!” Lenny said through Ron’s open window, “Now we just gotta figure a way to prove it.”
“Cindy has the answers. I’m sure of it,” Ron said getting out of his SUV, “I’m meeting up with Jack after work tomorrow. I’ll see if we can come up with a way of turning her.” To himself he added, “First I gotta figure a way to make Jack want to turn her! He’s pretty protective of his cousin.”
That evening, Ron put the funeral video, that he’d picked up earlier, into the machine. His jaw was clenched as he pulled up a chair, picked up the remote and pushed ‘play’. He wasn’t relishing the thought of watching it. But he knew he shouldn’t put it off. There might be clues to this mystery…
The video opened up with a picture of Heather, taken in front of the retreat, with an overlay of the words ‘Heather Logan- known locally as Heather Williams- May 22nd, 1988-March 27th, 2007’ while music played softly in the background.
The picture of Heather faded into an overhead shot of the auditorium filled with mourners. The screen split open from the center, transitioning to a shot from the rear of the auditorium. The camera then slowly zoomed in to the front of the auditorium where the closed casket was on display, pausing briefly to focus on the casket which was surrounded and all but covered with flowers; before traveling up to the podium and zooming in to a tight shot of a solemn Dr. Fleming.
The doctor took a breath, looked out over those gathered to mourn the passing of Heather Logan, and began the eulogy: “More than 30,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year, leaving behind tens of thousands of bereaved family and friends.
“There are many factors that can be attributed to this horrific tragedy. The most common are: ill health, loss of a loved one, loss of job- even job conditions, social embarrassment, or humiliation. All are often a trigger for suicide.”
Dr. Fleming paused briefly looking into the crowd before continuing, “Research suggests that those who react with anger or aggression may be more at risk for suicide. It’s important to recognize the behaviors widely considered to be ‘high-risk’. Common potential indicators include: marked changes in behavior- socially, professionally, academically… and in relationships.
“I’m not saying, necessarily, that all persons displaying these behaviors positively are considering suicide. However, if these traits are evident they do merit watching. Especially if they have only recently presented themselves… The situation should definitely be brought to the attention of a parent, doctor, counselor or teacher.”
“What are you doing?!” Ron wanted to shout, ‘You’re practically reciting from your own darn retreat flier!”
Unaware of Ron‘s outrage, the doctor continued, “The following gauges apply to all ages, however, today we are particularly keeping in mind young people. We want to notice changes. We’re talking about notable changes in school performance such as: academic performance; changes in vocational performance; changes in attendance perhaps having recently dropped out or even graduated from high school.
“We should also watch for changes in psychological mood and outlook such as: changes in self-esteem; attitude toward the future; onset or changes in depression; onset of, or accelerated drug or alcohol use.
“Although, today we are thinking primarily about youths, we should, also, all be keenly aware when persons of all ages displays changes in interpersonal behavior. Perhaps displaying antisocial behavior.”
Dr. Fleming paused and scanned the room once again, as if trying to peer behind the guarded facial expressions and body languages of his audience.
Ron shook his head and scoffed, “What is this- a commercial?” he muttered in disgust.
Dr. Fleming raised his arms as if to embrace those congregated and continued:
“We at the Cobb Mountain Retreat have good reason to believe changes in such behavior- to the positive- will reduce suicidal tendencies. And we have programs at the Cobb Mountain Retreat that address almost all of these indicators. “
Again, Ron shook his head, and said, “Uh Huh! I knew it! Here it comes!” over Fleming’s voice saying: “At the retreat we do intakes in the form of questionnaires and personal observations. This past week, we have also provided the local schools with questionnaires.”
The doctor paused again, and looked around sadly before almost whispering, “Now I’m not saying we perform miracles at the retreat. I’m sure you all realize that Heather was our patient… and regretfully we were not able to help her fast enough.”
Again he paused this time as if trying to overcome great sadness, “But I am certain that with more time, we could have helped even her.” Dramatically, Dr. Fleming grasped the corners of the podium, and bowed his head for a moment.
“Nice that he finally mentioned her name, at her own funeral service!” scowled Ron to himself, while glaring at the doctor.
Looking up, Dr Fleming began again, “We have been providing results of our program to research centers throughout the country, who are rigorously evaluating the effects of the programs. These centers are collecting data from comparable groups of youths who have not participated in the program, with the goal of ultimately being able to relate changes in these intermediate indicators of risk to suicide prevention. With such a comparison group, we can better understand the cause of changes that may be observed among program participants. And I can assure you, that we have, and will continue to make positive change in the lives of many in our community.
“In fact,” looking out over the multi-aged audience again, smiling and deliberately making eye contact with several individuals, before continuing, “many seated in this auditorium today have benefited. Again he smiled out at the audience, “Whether you’re aware of it or not- you all probably know someone who has benefited by the Cobb Mountain Retreat.”
That’s all Ron could take, for now. “It’s nothing but an infomercial for his retreat!” he said out loud as he stopped the tape. His eyes blazing and his nostrils flaring, and barely able to contain himself he growled, “A girl is dead and he is doing infomercials! A girl is dead, and he is conducting surveys and test groups!”
A closer look would reveal the angry little boy, still in pain over suffering a great loss much too early in his life.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A Plan Emerges
Sunday, April 8th , 2007
It was a long day for Ron- lots of calls to go on, and lots of traffic to deal with. But as tired as he was of driving, after work Ron found himself driving over the 29 grade to meet Jack again.
This time no fast foods. Ron felt like he owed Jack a real meal. Not only for all of the great information that Jack already had produced, but also because even though it was a holiday-Jack had agreed to meet him.
So Ron arranged to meet at a small Mexican cantina at the corner of Calastoga Road and Highway 12. It was tucked back in the corner of the strip mall, out of the way enough to feel private and secure. Plus, since it wasn’t all the way into Santa Rosa, hopefully Ron wouldn’t be distracted by thoughts of calling Kat.
He new better than to call her for a date, at the last minute. “That’s one mistake, I won’t make twice!” He smiled. The smile was quickly followed by a frown. “I’m dying to see her again! Why didn’t I call her back yesterday?! Why? Because this case is taking over my life! That‘s why!” he mumbled as he skillfully maneuvered his vehicle around the sharp turns.
Ron sat down at the table across from Jack and got right to the point, “I need a tape of the retreat’s seminar. Do you think you could hide this before the seminar, and pick it up afterwards- without getting caught, Jack?” he asked, while sliding a miniature voice-activated cassette recorder across the table. As Jack picked it up, Ron caught the excitement in his eyes.
“That’s what I
’m talkin’ about!” Jack said eyes gleaming, “This is getting interesting.”
“Just be cool!” Ron warned, worrying that Jack might get sloppy if he started over playing the PI role. He instantly regretted saying it when he saw Jack’s expression change, “Hey! You don’t have to worry about me. I know what I’m doing!” Jack said defensively.
Then as if to offer proof, he stated , “The seminars are Monday nights and the first Saturday afternoon of each month. I’ll get this back to you as soon as possible; but those seminars are a couple hours long. They take a break mid-way. I’ll need to slip in and change the tape. It shouldn’t be a problem- I pretty much can move around unnoticed up there. I’ll see if I can work it in tomorrow night.”
Nodding his approval, Ron came back with, “Great! But you don’t need to rush it. Just get the first tape tomorrow, and maybe next time you can get the second half.”
Ron felt bad about stepping on Jack’s toes. He knew Jack was putting this case before his paying job, and Ron really hoped Jack wasn’t setting himself up to get fired before Ron could come up with something else for him. His step dad had a couple friends that left the job to go out on their own; and Ron had asked if he’d ask around concerning opportunities for Jack. But, for the time being, Jack needed to hang on to his current job.
Jack suggested a place that they could meet after the seminar the next night, to give Ron the first tape. “There’s a little side road a ways from the retreat, on my way home.” Ron stayed quiet, letting Jack plan the drop-off, “I’ll make sure I’m not followed and if you’re already there waiting; I’ll try to get the tape during the break- and leave right away, so you don’t have to wait in the dark all night.”
Ron nodded his approval- of both the plan and Jack.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Seminar And Revelations
Monday, April 9th, 2007
On his way to meet Jack Ron passed over Boggs Mountain, he shuddered again, in spite of himself. The thought of that young girl…
Ron was waiting as planned, and Jack pulled in with his lights off. He walked up to the window handed over the tape, grinning- his eyes wild with excitement.
“I was almost busted! I thought the auditorium was clear, but the doc and Stephanie were still in there. I made up a story about losing my keys when I was vacuuming. I crawled around looking under chairs, and behind plants; then I pretended to find the keys and grabbed up the tape player. The doc didn’t give me a second look, so I’m pretty sure I’m okay.”
“Stephanie?” Ron questioned.
“Yeah, Stephanie Hodges,” replied Jack, “the doc’s assistant. She is usually cool as ice. A real cucumber, but tonight she was pretty stressed out! I think I walked in on an argument. She stormed out when I came in.” Ron finally had her name- there had been no such pleasantries as introductions, when he encountered her back at the retreat last week.
Then Jack looked puzzled, “Everything went off smoother than I thought it would. I was worried that Cindy would question my leaving. She usually tries to get me to stay the night, if I’m there late.” Then explaining, “She doesn’t have a roomie right now; so the other twin bed is empty. She likes the company. Especially since this thing with Heather… But tonight she looked relieved that I was leaving before the seminar was over. It almost felt like I was being pushed out. Strange. Maybe she’s got something going with a patient… I doubt it though- that’s not her style. Oh, well…” He seemed to let it go. “Well, guess I’ll head back over the hill,” he said, looking at his watch. He spun around and took off with out any lights until he got on the paved roads.
“He’s good,” Ron thought. “Or maybe just showing off,” he chuckled.
Ron leaned over and put the audiotape into the cassette player of his SUV, rewound it and pushed play. Since he needed to wait about ten minutes for Jack to clear out, before he pulled his SUV onto the road and headed back toward Clearlake, Ron thought he’d pass the time listening to the tape. Plus he was curious about the seminar.
The tape started and he recognized Dr. Fleming’s voice. He also recognized the speech.
“More than 30,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year, leaving behind thousands of bereaved surviving family and friends.
“There are many factors that have been attributed to this horrific tragedy: (...tap) ill health, (...tap) loss of a loved one, (...tap) loss of job, (...tap) even job conditions,” he paused a moment before continuing, “(...tap) social embarrassment or (...tap) humiliation is often a trigger for suicide. Research suggests that those who react with anger or aggression may be more at risk for suicide.
Ron murmured, “Except for the noise of a pointer tapping on a black board, this is almost the same speech from the funeral.”
The doctor continued, “Given the continued high rates of suicide among adolescents and young adults from the age of 15 to 24 years of age, we feel it is more urgent that we apply our resources towards prevention in the most effective manner possible.
“It’s important for all of us to recognize the behaviors widely considered to be ‘high-risk’.
“Please keep in mind that these behaviors will not necessarily mean positively that the person displaying these behaviors is considering suicide. They do, however, provide useful indicators and merit watching… and should be brought to the attention of a parent, doctor, counselor or teacher.
“Potential indicators include: (...tap) Changes in school performance in areas such as: (...tap) attendance, (...tap) academic performance, (...tap) antisocial behavior (...tap), vocational performance, (...tap) dropping out of school… Even graduating from high school can trigger fears and emotions that are difficult for youth to deal with.
“Other areas of change could be: (...tap) Changes in interpersonal behavior, as well as (...tap) significant changes in psychological mood and outlook such as: (...tap) in self-esteem, (...tap) in depression or elation, (...tap) changes in drug and alcohol use, and especially (...tap) changes in attitude toward the future.
“We here, at the Cobb Mountain Retreat have designed various treatments and programs that address almost all of these indicators. We at the retreat have good reason to believe the resulting changes in such behavior to the positive will reduce suicidal tendencies, as well as provide useful indicators of other positive program effects.
“Our intake procedure to the Cobb Mountain Retreat includes a questionnaire, one on one interviews, as well as personal observation.” He paused, momentarily and then continued: “Now, of course, I’m not saying we perform miracles at the retreat. But I can assure you, that we have made, and will continue to, make positive change in the lives of many in our community. Many seated in this auditorium tonight, have benefited from our programs- and you all probably know someone who has… whether you’re aware of it or not. We have developed workshops and treatments designed to reduce the youth suicide rate, and improve the mental health safety net offered to local youth, college students and other high-risk patients and clients.
“I provide data that I gather from the results of our program, which I then provide to research centers all over, which are rigorously evaluating the effects of our programs. These centers identify and collect data from a comparable group of youths that have not participated in the program, so that ultimately they will relate changes in these intermediate indicators of risk to suicide prevention. With such a comparison group, we are able to better understand the cause of changes that may be observed among program participants.”
Again anger rose up in Ron, and through clenched teeth he repeated the sentiments he had felt when watching the funeral video, “A young girl is dead, and he’s collecting data and doing research!”
By this time he was on the road heading home. Ron slowed down, reached over and ejected the cassette. He couldn’t believe how blatantly Dr. Fleming used this speech for Heather’s eulogy! “How self serving!” he said out loud again.
But Ron did have to acknowledge- if only to
himself- that listening to Fleming’s theory, here in the dark, as he drove along the route that Heather might have taken to the end of her life, that it did made sense. He had to admit that in this setting- or even better yet- a workshop situation the information did make sense. Just not a funeral! He still felt strongly that using the tragic death of a young person as a platform to promote ones work was just plain wrong!
The scowl was back, as Ron pulled his SUV over and took out his notebook, and scribbled a few lines. Then he sighed, and said, “I may as well get this over with.” And pushed the cassette back in. He was in no hurry to get home tonight anyway. He readied himself for taking notes, again holding a pen-light between his teeth.
The doctor’s voice began again, “The Cobb Mountain Retreat is based on research derived from input from, and in response to, the experiences of survivors who attempted suicide. And I’m proud to say that we have former workshop participants, and survivors of attempted suicide, assisting with many of our workshops.
“The research-based conclusions that are drawn from their experiences have been a great aid in formulating workshops that focus on the following areas: ONE (...tap) Defining and the identifying survivors of suicide. TWO (...tap) The emotional impact of suicide- both actual suicides and attempts of suicides on: A.(...tap) Individual family members, B. (...tap) Families as a whole, C. (...tap) The treating therapists and D. (...tap) Different cultural, racial and ethnic groups… (tap) THREE The social adjustment of suicide attempt survivors and their families, friends and therapists… (...tap) FOUR The risk for suicide and other negative outcomes, associated with their (...tap) families, (...tap) friends and (...tap) therapists. (...tap) FIVE The role of, and effect on, (...tap) first responders… (...tap) paramedics, (...tap) police officers, (...tap) emergency medical technicians, (...tap) emergency room personnel, and (...tap) clergy… in working with survivors and their friends and families. SIX(...tap) Interventions for people that display the high risk behavior. SEVEN (...tap) Ethical issues of suicide.