“She cried. She feels it’s all her fault, that she pushed Shannan away.”

“Really? Will Flood got the impression Karen washed her hands of Shannan a long time ago.”

“Maybe that’s a defense mechanism for guilt. When Shannan was little, there were a lot of men around, a lot of instability. Violence. She has a good deal of regret.”

“Karen said this?”

“People tell me all kinds of things, Anna. They seem to need to. I think it helps them feel less burdened.”

“So she believed you?”

Tally’s eyes are clear as museum glass. She doesn’t blink or pause. “Yes. Maybe she’ll be able to grieve now, and find more peace. Everyone deserves that, wouldn’t you agree?”

Along the floor at my feet, the dog stirs. I inch my leg closer to her body, warm and solid, but still feel uneasy, as if Tally is talking about my life, not Karen’s. “Anything else from the dream?”

“Shannan was wearing a rabbit-fur jacket, short waisted with a zipper. Very soft, soft as anything.”

“Does the coat mean something? Was she wearing it when she died? Is there evidence in one of the pockets?”

“Possibly. I’m only a conduit, Anna. You’re the detective. If anyone can solve these mysteries, it’s you.” Her tone shifts, sharpens. “Do you believe in the other side? In life after death?”

A muscle between my shoulder blades tenses. Wherever she’s headed with this, I don’t want to go there. “What else do you have to tell me about Cameron Curtis?”

“I dreamed about her just after she went missing.” She doesn’t seem fazed that I’ve changed the subject midstream. “What’s that? Ten or twelve days ago now? She was alone and in some sort of tight small space. Badly hurt, too, but definitely alive.”

“Alive” is a powerful word, even when the source isn’t necessarily reliable. “Somewhere nearby? Did you recognize anything?”

“I don’t think so.” She studies her teacup, the moss-green ceramic curve of it between her fingers. Then she says, “You don’t trust me. That’s fine, except some part of you does, or wants to. In your heart you hope I can help you get to Cameron.”

Her sudden intimacy makes me uncomfortable. What could she possibly know about my heart? “Have you done this sort of thing professionally before? Worked with law enforcement?”

She nods. “When I lived up in Oregon, outside of Portland. I’ve only been here a little more than a year now. I forgot how small towns work sometimes, how nervous folks can be about things that aren’t exactly rational. But I believe any sort of insight comes with responsibility. I think I can help you find her, Anna.”

“Me? Why not go back to Will Flood? Maybe he’ll listen to you now.”