“Yes… it is…” Courtney’s eyes burned with desperation, and Julia tried to figure it out on the fly, just as desperate.
“But there’s so many things I got no vision of, no premonition of. I didn’t know the cops were going to search our rooms, plant a gun, or arrest you. I didn’t even know about the pictures in Samuel’s cabin. I didn’t know any of it. I had no warning whatsoever—”
“Still… you got a vision today… and you have to make yourself… keep them coming… communicate… with Grandma Kay… find out who killed her… and get me out of here…”
“Courtney, I can’tsummonher, I can’tconjureher, I can only allow—”
“I know I said… I didn’t want you… to help… but I need you now… Jules, if you don’t… I could be here forever… I don’t need a lawyer… I need apsychic…”
“Okay, okay, I’ll try, I swear—”
“Please…”
“I will, I’ll try, I promise.”
Just then the cop opened the door, motioning them apart. “That’s it, ladies! Time to go, Miss Pritzker. Break it up.”
“One last thing, sir.” Julia released Courtney, trying to collect her thoughts.
The cop nodded curtly. “Make it fast!”
“Courtney, the funeral home needs to know if they can go ahead with the funeral. What do you want them to do?”
“Yes, I guess… all those people… she deserves that… but now I can’t go…” Courtney couldn’t wipe her eyes, so Julia brushed a tear from her cheek.
“I think it’s the right choice, and—”
“She wanted me to… scatter her ashes… in her garden…”
“We’ll scatter them when you get out.”
“Okay.” Courtney tried to rally, straightening. “Jules… get meout.”
29
Julia left the interview room shaken, her thoughts in utter turmoil as she followed the cop down the hall. She’d just made a promise to Courtney that she had to keep, but she didn’t know how. She flashed on a time back in college that Courtney had done her the solid of the century, for which Julia would owe her forever. It was a chit that Courtney would never call in, but one that Julia would never forget.
They’d been studying in their dorm room when someone had knocked on the door.Who is it?Courtney called out, rising.
Campus police, answered an authoritative male voice.
They’d exchanged looks, and Courtney crossed to the door and opened it to find a campus cop standing with two men in suits and ties.
We’re here to speak with Julia Pritzker. I’m Officer Jefferson and these are Detectives Ryers and Backe.
I’m Julia, she said, already on her feet.
We need to speak with you about someone. Do you know this man?The campus cop pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, unfolded it, and showed it to Julia, who was alarmed to see it was a photo of her crush, Matt Winger.
Oh yes. His name is Matt Winger. I met him at the library and just saw him again at a party.
When was the party?
Sunday night.Julia still felt cranky at Courtney for making her leave.
Where was the party?
Off-campus.
