by Kit DeCanti
“We at Cobb Mountain Retreat have as a goal to provide high risk patients with social support, and training to learn to connect within one’s cultural or sub-cultural groups; as well as to help develop a stable and functioning lifestyle. I want to emphasis that we focus on cultural values.
“In the past many researchers thought that multiple suicides in families was linked to an inherited vulnerability to depression. However, more recently there has been much evidence suggesting specific genetic factors that make some depressed families more at risk for suicide than others.
Here at Cobb Mountain Retreat we think that by providing favorable psychosocial influences, we can reduce this risk. Our studies have combined genetic and psychosocial perspectives in explaining suicide patterns within families, and have utilized these findings to develop specific workshops and treatments with great success!
“Although suicide bereavement support groups are considered to be helpful by many survivors, data about their use and effectiveness have been based on small, uncontrolled and non-representative input. We are conducting our own studies and compiling data for continued study.
“Other facilities’ findings in regards to the use of interventions have been mixed. However we at Cobb Mountain Retreat have experienced hugely successful results and are excited to continue focusing on the use of interventions. Preventing further suicides is but one of several goals of intervention made with friends and relatives of a suicide victim.
“By now, you are probably wanting answers to such questions as: (...tap) What kinds of interventions are effective for whom. (...tap) When is the best time for interventions, and under what circumstances? (...tap) Which interventions are best for which subgroups? (...tap) How can knowledge of the special problems faced by survivors be utilized in treatment? (...tap) Are there negative effects of interventions, and if so, (...tap) what are they?
“Let me assure you that all these and more will be thoroughly answered as we go along.
“Another important issue addressed at Cobb Mountain Retreat is that very little is known about the effects of suicide bereavement on the physical health; or whether survivors need special services or interventions in this area.
“We have built into our program a referral program that includes referrals to our, and other, mental health services.
“We’ve developed an extensive resource guide through networking. Initially locally; but now we have expanded to include experts in youth suicide prevention around the country.
“Utilizing this resource list, we have spearheaded training programs, much like what you’re experiencing tonight, to help educate and train key people in communities to identify and help direct youth to facilities that we have found to be exemplary youth suicide prevention programs that can assist them.
“Our complete list of workshops, programs and treatments is extensive, and we will cover them after our break…
“Right now, I think we could all use a ten-minute break to stretch our legs and freshen up. There’s coffee and water in the lobby.”
The sound of scooting chairs and people talking and moving about filled the tape.
Ron continued writing down his thoughts. “Overall,” he noted that “the retreat’s programs have two common themes.
“(1) Strategies to identify indicators in suicidal individual- especially youth and their referrals to existing mental health resources, and
“(2) Strategies designed to treat known or suspected risk factors in these individuals.
Ron also noted, that “many of the strategies are designed to increase referrals of at-risk youth, and this approach can be successful only to the extent that there are appropriately trained counselors to whom referrals can be made.” He wondered if this training and referral program might be a lucrative form of income for the doc. Or maybe the doc was getting paid big bucks through some high money grants.
Ron was reaching to eject the cassette when he heard a familiar voice say, “I need to talk to you.” It was the icy voice of Fleming’s assistant, Stephanie Hodges, on the tape.
Fleming sounded irritated when he replied, “Later! After the seminar.”
But his assistant persisted, “No! It can’t wait. I need to talk to you, now! Cindy said you are planning another incident out at Boggs Mountain!”
“You knew that!” Again the doctor didn’t try to hide the irritation in his voice.
Stephanie came back with, “Sure- but not this soon! This is crazy! … I mean… It’s too soon!” She was sounding frantic. “I told you, that deputy was nosing around, and I don’t think he has given up- no matter what Sheriff Buchanan says. I don’t think we should chance it!”
“Well, you know what could happen if we don’t move fast enough,” the doctor said. She shot back, “Yeah, but I also know what happens when we move too fast! And I don’t want any part of it! I‘m not going!”
“I figured that, so I’ve lined up someone else to help!” the doctor stated flatly.
There were sounds of heavy steps coming closer, and a door slammed. A few seconds later, Ron heard Jack’s voice mumbling about loosing his keys. More chairs were being scooted, more walking and then the click of the tape recorder being turned off.
Ron was stunned! He sat there motionless for a few moments before exclaiming loudly, “This is it! Here it is!” Giving himself a ‘high-5’ in the air congratulating himself, “I knew it! I knew Fleming and the retreat was behind this!”
Now what he needed to do, was to find out exactly what was going on up at the Boggs Mountain. He felt sure that whatever it was- it was going to go down tonight.
Ron turned off his pen-light, and started his SUV. Wondering if he should give Lenny a call, he paused to check the clock on his SUV. “Too late,” he thought, “Lenny probably has his TracFone turned off.” Ron dialed the number anyway, and left a message on the voicemail. He didn’t like the idea of heading out to the Boggs Mountain Trails without someone knowing where he was. He figured the seminar was probably breaking up about now, but if he hurried he could beat them there.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The Woods
Monday, April 9th, 2007
Midnight
Ron cruised slowly through the parking lot of Boggs Mountain Hiking Trails. Empty. “Good- they’re not here yet,” he murmured, and then wondered where to park. There were a couple wide spots along the road for overload parking for hikers. But not wanting to leave his SUV out where it would be seen he headed for a nearby fire trail. It hadn’t been traveled for awhile, so he was pretty sure it would be safe to leave his vehicle there. He strapped on his gun holster, checked his gun for bullets, and put his pen-light in his jacket pocket. Then Ron got his big flashlight out of the back of his SUV, carrying it in his left hand keeping his right hand free to grab his gun if needed. He blinked his eyes, trying to adjust to the darkness. He didn’t want to use his flashlight just yet.
Adrenaline pumped through Ron as he crossed the road and hiked up the hill towards the parking lot. He found a fallen tree to sit on, off the beaten path, with a clear view of the parking lot. He sat down and waited. Ron was beginning to think he was wrong about tonight, when he heard a vehicle and saw headlights. He waited, but no car entered the lot. “Weird!” he thought. “Where could it have gone? Did it park up on the road?” Soon he heard the hum of an engine of a different car approaching, and saw headlights.
A small car pulled into the lot. When the car door opened, he briefly saw a person of slight build get out in dark pants and a yellow parka. It was too dark to distinguish if it was a male or female. Whoever it was appeared to have a definite destination in mind, because there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation before a flashlight was turned on and they headed out over the foot bridge and up towards the trail.
Ron waited just long enough for the flashlight to get half-way up the trail, before he followed. He swung down by the car and shining his pen-light, made a quick mental note of the license plate on the late model Geo Spectrum.
>
Ron picked up his pace trying to catch up with the light heading up the path. There were several forks in the path. But since all the water bottles had been found near the same spot where Heather’s body was found, he was pretty sure that was the destination. He was glad he was wearing his black leather jacket and black jeans. As long as he was quiet he felt like he could get pretty close.
As Ron followed, the carrier of the flashlight ahead came to the first fork- and sure enough, headed towards the spot where Heather’s body had been found. Suddenly there was a loud snap in the brush just three or four yards in front of Ron. He ducked behind a tree. The person up ahead must have heard it as well, because the flashlight searched the area for a few moments just missing shining on Ron. After a moment the flashlight continued up the path.
Ron waited… listening. Something went rushing down the hill off the path. He picked up his pace to catch up with the flashlight, deciding he better close the gap a bit.
Shortly afterwards there was another noise a few yards in front of them.
Once again, the flashlight searched the brush and trees a while before heading on. By now another fork had been reached and again the flashlight carrier chose the direction leading to the area above the clearing where Heather’s body was found. And sure enough, when the walker reached the spot, the light went off the path and started making its way down the hillside.
As Ron waited on top of the hill he saw a figure dart from behind a tree, crashing through the brush to another tree a little closer to the flashlight, causing another search from the flashlight. The figure darted again with the flashlight shining right on it, giving Ron a pretty clear view of a trench coat- draped person.
The flashlight went off and Ron could hear the trench coat draped person crashing down the hill to the clearing! He followed as quickly and quietly as possible. Suddenly the light came on and simultaneously he heard a scream as the light lit up the trench coat-wearing stalker, allowing Ron to see what caused such a scream. The stalker was not only wearing the trench coat, but was also wearing a hideous Halloween mask!
In the dim light the flashlight cast, Ron caught a glimpse of something being hurled through the air and hitting the mask. The flashlight rapidly approached Ron and he could see that the carrier was crawling back up the hill on all fours, amidst blood curling screams! Ron already had his gun out as he stepped back waiting for the stalker to follow. He was surprised to catch a dim glimpse of him heading the other way. “Maybe he spotted me,” Ron thought. He stood there a moment, and then thinking that the stalker might be heading back to the lower part of the path where Ron had first heard him in the brush, Ron turned and quickly took off in the direction of the flashlight.
He followed the flashlight until he was certain that the flashlight and its carrier were safely in the car and stood guard as it drove off. Ron waited and soon heard the engine of the second vehicle start on a fire trail on the other hillside. He saw headlights come on and kept his eyes on them as he hurried to the road, hiding behind a tree as it drove by. It was an older Jeep. He couldn’t make out who was inside, but he saw two people. Ron waited a few minutes, and just when he was about to turn on his flashlight he heard a third vehicle’s engine start. His eyes searched but saw nothing. He strained to listen as the engine got quieter, obviously going in the opposite direction then evaporated into the night forest sounds.
Ron remained still for several minutes, and only when he was confident that none of the vehicles would return, did he allow himself to walk back to the trail, but waited until he was in the woods before turning on his flashlight. He headed back to the clearing off the path.
Sure enough, Ron found a water bottle similar to the ones he had found previously. He also saw large footprints, but they somehow seemed different from the first set. He carefully picked the bottle up by its cap, and carried it between two fingers back to his SUV, where he stood it in his beverage holder.
Ron took out his notebook and jotted down the license plate of the Geo Spectrum before he forgot it; glad he picked this fire trail to park on, instead of the other.
Ron replayed what had just transpired over in his head. He wondered what caused the trench coat-mask-wearing-stalker to run away. Who was the second person in the Jeep? Was he spotted? If so did they get a close enough look to recognize him? And who was in the third vehicle. Were they acting together or was there another person out in the woods tonight? Did they see anything? And what’s with this water bottle? Would he find medication and the doctor’s prints on it?
“At least I think I know the answer to the last question,” Ron thought, as he scratched his neck, and then murmured, “Every time I get an answer- up pops more questions.”
Ron started his SUV and after driving up the road where he thought the third car had been parked and seeing no other fire trail muttered, “Must have been parked on the side of the road.” He headed home, wishing for more answers.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
It’s A Date- Sort Of
Tuesday April 10th, 2007
Ron was glad Lenny wasn’t there yet, when he drove into the orchard shed. He was still shaken by the incidents of the previous night. And Ron knew by now, that it would be difficult to hide that fact from Lenny. “He can read me like a book.” One side of Ron’s mouth curled up into a grimace.
By the time Lenny arrived, Ron was a bit calmer, but Lenny’s eyes penetrated him like a knife. By now he had listened to the voicemail and knew that Ron had gone to the Boggs Mountain Trails.
“What’s up?” Lenny demanded. Ron was glad to see the thermos. He could use another cup. He drank the coffee as he described what was on the tape that Jack had recorded at the retreat, and then laid out what transpired on the Boggs Mountain hiking trails and.
“You idiot! What the heck did you go out there alone for! Didn’t your old man ever tell you that ‘Hell is for heroes!?’” Ron knew the anger stemmed from concern for his safety, and although he appreciated it, he didn’t like to be reprimanded.
But more reprimands were in store…. “You realize that was an illegal wire tap! Any information on that tape can never be used in court. Even though Jack is not ‘on the job’, he was acting as your agent- and on your orders.”
Ron had realized that- too late, and was hoping not to have to face that issue just yet. But he defended himself with, “I was only trying to get the lecture, I had no idea a private conversation would be taped.” Knowing that it wasn’t enough, he added: “But, yeah, I know we can only use it for investigative purposes- and not evidence.”
The two men sat there for awhile, sipping hot coffee and thinking everything out- trying to come up with the next step.
Frowning, Lenny spoke first. “Now it’s really going to get sticky. Whatever capacity the sheriff’s involvement- he obviously knows something! So the direct approach of questioning the doc is out of the question.”
Ron added, “And Cindy is also involved up to her eyelids- so unless we can break her we’d better stay clear of her.” And then he thought, “Hmm, I wonder how Jack is going to take this?”
As if reading his mind, Lenny asked, “I wonder if we can still count on Jack?”
Ron shook his head, “I don’t know. He and Cindy are pretty tight.” The lawmen decided to keep it from Jack for the time being. Having already decided to have Ron’s step dad run the plates, they also decided to send Jack to Sacramento with the other evidence. “That will keep him away from Cindy today, as well as being a great way to push the envelope a bit, as far as lining up a job for Jack.” Ron thought. “Give him a chance to meet my step dad.”
Midmorning, while Ron was back in the Boggs Mountain Park, taking plaster of Paris molds of the footprints, his cell phone rang. “Hey, Joe how’s it going?” It was Jack, returning his call.
Ron had no trouble hiding his feelings from him. “I’m doing a study of fossil footprints,” he told him casually, “I need you to take a run to Sac, for me. You up to that?”
“
Sure!” Jack said, quickly adding, “Can I get my expenses covered?”
“No problem. Let’s meet up in the desert, around noon,” Ron said, using a prearranged code for an old biker bar and café with a large gravel parking lot near the eastern border of Lake County on Highway 20. The drop off would have to happen quickly there, with no time for conversation.
Jack waited for Ron with his vehicle’s hood open. As Ron pretended to give Jack’s battery a boost, he slipped a duffel bag containing the new evidence onto Jack’s front seat, along with the location to meet after Jack’s run to Sacramento. Included was a stack of 5 twenties, that Ron had withdrawn from his personal ATM. The duffel bag contained: a plastic labeled bags holding the water bottle, the plaster of Paris footprints and tire prints from the fire trail and park map marked where each were found; plus a note with instructions for Jack to call with a time to meet- and off he went.
The entire drop took less than three minutes. But it was long enough for Ron to notice a change in Jack’s attitude that hadn’t come through over the phone. “Hmm… I wonder what’s up,” Ron thought, starting to speculate to himself. “Is he beginning to suspect Cindy’s involvement? If he is I wonder if his loyalty to her will impair this investigation. I‘ll give Pop a call and have him introduce Jack around,” thinking that might help keep Jack on the excitement program.
On his way back to Lakeport Ron called Bill Norris from his tract phone, and asked him to watch for Jack’s reaction to the report, and also to show him around. Jack did not know the relationship between Bill and Ron, and Ron asked his step dad to keep it that way.
That out of the way, Ron switched to his personal cell phone, and dialed Kat’s number. He figured she would be in class, so he would leave a message. “This is a nonchalant way to give her my number,” he smiled. He was surprised when Kat answered. Taken off guard, he said, “Oh! You’re not in class!”
