Outside the bridge rail he edged away. River, rocks, and eternity loomed below. Spectators shouted, “Jump!”

“Stay back, cop.” His tired young eyes showed fear.

“I can help.” I reached out.

He jumped and I grabbed his arm. The law required I enter the shirtsleeve into evidence at the morgue.

Gary Clifton, forty years a cop, has several pieces published or pending with online sites.