LITMIR.BIZ

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but inside fear and uncertainty dominated her. Making promises based solely on her visions was terrifying and guilt in spiring.

      Ms. Halman eased the door open a measure. “Help me how?”

      Alexandra wasn’t certain if she should reveal that she possessed a psychic ability that only of late seemed to be getting stronger. Most people didn’t believe in such things and now that she’d gained Ms. Halman’s attention, she didn’t want to risk losing it. But what other choice did she have?

      “I’m … a psychic. I’ve seen Mady in a vision,” Alexandra responded. “She’s alive, and I promise you that I’ll do everything I can to see her returned safely home.”

      A glint of hopefulness mingled with doubt reflected beyond the worry in the other woman’s eyes.

      “Look,” Alexandra continued. “I know this isn’t something you hear every day, but I promise you, I’m authentic and everything you share with me will remain between us.”

      Ms. Halman stared at her for a moment then eased the door shut. Alexandra could hear the chain being released and when the door reopened, Ms. Halman stood to one side and motioned for her to enter.

      “Thank you,” Alexandra said as she slipped into the apartment.

      The living room was small but neatly kept. A worn floral sofa was positioned against one wall, and on the other, a television set sat on a wooden stand. A toddler was seated in front of it, watching a cartoon show. He turned wide eyes on her and Alexandra sent him a smile as she stepped around him.

      “You say you’ve seen her? Where is she?” Ms. Halman asked anxiously.

      “I’m not sure, and that’s why I need your help,” Alexandra replied, noting the dark circles around the woman’s eyes. She wouldn’t dare mention that her vision had revealed Mady being taken by a man she suspected was the Penn State Serial Killer. Ms. Halman obviously had enough to contend with.

      “Just tell me what to do. Please, have a seat.”

      Alexandra complied as she removed a file and a small notepad from her purse. “I know this is hard for you, but please bear with me. I’m going to ask you a few questions. This information is important, so I need you to tell me everything you can. Is this the most recent picture you have of your daughter?” She slipped the photograph from the file.

      When Ms. Halman nodded, she placed it on the table and continued. “I saw Mady walking. Where was she going?”

      She cleared her throat. “It was Friday, around 4:30 p.m. Mady’d just finished her homework and she asked me if she could play with her friends in the park and I let her go alone.” She paused to dab at her eyes with a handkerchief.

      “Which park? And what route did she take?”

      “Brook Park. It’s only a few blocks from here, and we always take the main road. I usually walk with her, but her brother had a fever that day and I let her go alone.”

      Alexandra knew what it was like to lose someone dear. “It’s not your fault,” she said empathetically. “Sometimes we don’t know when bad things are going to happen.”

      “I’m her mother. I should’ve been protecting her.” She dabbed at her eyes again.

      Alexandra fought the tears that burned her eyes. She saw herself in this woman, this mother. The pain she’d experienced when she’d lost her parents had been unbearable. She’d tormented herself, wondering what if. Yet no amount of wondering could have changed what had already taken place. This was different. Mady was still alive. She could feel it. And she knew that she could possibly prevent her murder.

      “Ms. Halman, may I borrow an item that belongs to Mady, something dear to her?”

      Curiosity registered in the woman’s eyes. “Something like what?”

      “Anything that she loved.”

      The other woman thought for a moment then nodded. She reached into the pocket of her housecoat, pulling out a gold charm bracelet. “I bought this for her on her twelfth birthday. She loves animals.” She passed it to Alexandra.

      Accepting it, Alexandra noted that each little charm was shaped like an animal. “Thank you.”

      Ms. Halman forced a smile, her eyes brimming with tears now. “The puppy is her favorite. I couldn’t afford a real one, so I was sure to get that charm attached.” She hung her head then, her body shaking as she sobbed silently.

      Alexandra couldn’t help herself. She placed her notepad aside, slid toward the other woman and wrapped her arms around her. There were just no words to ease such a pain. All she could do was hope that she could keep her promise.

      When Ms. Halman regained her composure, she sat up to wipe her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “It’s just been so hard. I’ve always promised myself that I would do whatever it took to protect my children. That they’d never have to suffer through what I did.”

      She met Alexandra’s questioning look. “Thirteen years ago I was working the night shift at a local diner. While walking home one morning, I was attacked and raped.” She looked away. “I became pregnant, and nine months later Mady was born. They never caught the guy. Somehow I managed to survive through it all. I even got married and had my son, though his father and I are separated now.”

      Alexandra’s heart sank in her chest. She couldn’t imagine suffering through something like that. “I promise you, Ms. Halman, I’ll do whatever it takes to bring your daughter back,” she assured.

      “Thank you.” She gave Alexandra’s hand a squeeze. “Please, excuse me for a moment.”

      She stood and headed off toward what Alexandra assumed was the bathroom. She sat there, looking at the bracelet in her hands. Her eyes drifted closed as she tried to channel her mysterious ability. She didn’t really expect anything to happen, as she’d never been able to summon her visions, but it didn’t hurt to try. She didn’t notice the toddler moving toward her.

      “Hi,” came his small voice.

      Alexandra opened her eyes and a smile crept to her lips. “Hello. What’s your name?”

      “Peter, and this is Muffy.” He held up a straggly, one-eyed stuffed rabbit.

      “Well, hello to both of you.”

      He smiled. “Are you the police?”

      His question caught her by surprise. “Oh, no, I’m just … a helper.”

      “Are you gonna bring Mady back?” He waited, his eyes wide with innocence and anticipation.

      A great sadness tugged at Alexandra’s heart. With the police having no solid leads, she was the best hope for saving Mady. Her eyes fell once again to the charm bracelet in her grasp. “Yes, I’m going to bring Mady back.”

       Chapter 5

      Impatiently, Alexandra looked down the busy street, spotting the bright yellow hood of a cab making its way toward her. “Taxi!” she cried out, waving a hand.

      The vehicle zipped by without even pausing. Two subsequent attempts rendered the same result. With a sigh she began walking up the street in search of a better location to catch a cab. She noticed a sign for Brook Park and decided that she’d stop there for a few minutes. Mady’s charm bracelet, which she’d fastened onto her wrist, hadn’t evoked any visions, but being in the location of the abduction just might stimulate her psychic ability.

      And so she shrugged off her navy, pinstriped blazer that matched her knee-length pencil skirt, draped it over her arm and headed in that direction.

      She’d only walked a short distance when an image a few feet in front of her forced her to slow her pace. It was the silhouette of a preteen girl, wreathed in an apparition-like glow. Instantly, Alexandra knew that she was having a vision, although

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