Free Bound by Jonas Saul Page A

contacted her for something, they rarely left her alone until that something was completed.
     
     
     
    #
     
    She reached Bruce with her first call into the station after she got home. He promised to tell her everything he had on the case…if she would agree to have dinner with him.
     
    After ten minutes she finally agreed to meet him at The Keg for nine that night. What would it hurt? She could use a good meal after what she was about to do.
     
    He looked up the case on the computer on his desk, and explained to her that the case had gone cold eight months ago. Not a single lead had turned up as to the whereabouts of Kelly Walsh, eighteen. The parents had been interviewed extensively, even threatened with being charged in the hopes they’d break down and confess, as they were prime suspects in the missing persons case. But nothing came of it. They had no one in custody and no idea where to look next.
     
    Bruce asked Kramer why she was interested. Did she know something new? According to the file, Kramer’s call had been the first about Kelly in over eight months. All Kramer said was that she would get back to him and hung up the phone after confirming the time for dinner again.
     
    This venture to help Kelly seemed fruitless. Maybe she could talk to the parents? After that, if nothing led her to what ‘ I lay where the deer play’ meant, she’d drop it, until Kelly came back with more for her to go on.
     
    When Kramer started looking into the archives of the local newspaper, via its website, she found excerpts about the missing girl, and interviews with the parents. Wendy Walsh and Mark Walsh still lived on Somerset Boulevard.
     
    Two hours later, at 3:00pm, she parked down the street and walked up to knock on the Walsh’s door. The sun was hidden behind dark clouds that threatened rain. It reflected Kramer’s mood, and caused her to question why she was wasting time at the Walsh house. After losing their daughter and going through however-many sleepless nights, and grueling interviews with police and media, the last thing they needed was Kramer asking the same questions, re-opening old wounds. She had turned to step off their porch, when the door opened a crack. A single eye peeked through the gap.
     
    “Yes?”
     
    “Hello, Mrs. Walsh?”
     
    “Who wants to know?”
     
    “My name is Kramer.” Now what was she supposed to say? She didn’t want to make up a lie or scare Mrs. Walsh by saying the wrong thing, yet she had to get her talking about Kelly. She decided to try the truth. “I came here because I saw your daughter, Kelly, today.”
     
    There was a moment of silence. The awkwardness made Kramer feel fidgety. She adjusted her coat and stepped back on the porch a little. Then the door opened far enough for the woman’s face to be exposed.
     
    “That’s impossible. No one has seen Kelly for over a year.”
     
    “I know, but I’m different. Let me explain. People who have unfinished business, come to me after they pass away. Earlier today, I was shopping in the mall and met Kelly where she used to work.”
     
    Mrs. Walsh made an audible gasp, raising her hand to her chest. “Are you playing games with me? Is this about money? What kind of person are you?”
     
    Kramer was surprised by Mrs. Walsh’s response. Usually when she told people that she was psychic, they either asked questions of a psychic nature or stated that they didn’t believe in the Other Side. It was rare that she would be accused of trying to cheat someone out of money.
     
    Kramer stood on the porch and described Kelly to Mrs. Walsh. “I read her name tag at the figurine store. I called the police, and found out the case had been cold for eight months. After meeting Kelly, I thought maybe we could talk. Maybe something will click for me.”
     
    “You talked to the police?” Mrs. Walsh opened her front door all the way. “They give out information on a case so easily?”
     
    “Ma’am, I’ve worked with the