The Stone of Sadness (An Olivia Miller Mystery Book 3) by J A Whiting

were.
    “You’re right, Brad. There’s no reason to contact him.”

Chapter 10
    Hannah the psychic responded to Olivia’s email telling her that she was booked solid with client readings for the next few months but invited Olivia to come to her farm to talk. She wrote that she had a good deal of chores to do, and if Olivia didn’t mind, she could chat with her as she worked in the barn.
    Olivia maneuvered the Jeep along the skinny country road looking for Hannah’s farm. She turned into the long winding driveway that snaked along stone walls, open fields, and mature trees. Olivia parked between a big antique Colonial house and a red barn. There were flower beds surrounding the house spilling with blossoms and a crushed stone walkway led to the front door. A wide door on the barn was open, so Olivia decided to see if the psychic was working inside.
    A tall black horse stood on the cement floor cross tied between two rows of stalls and a petite woman was working on the animal’s coat with a hand brush.
    “Hey,” Olivia said. “Hannah?”
    The woman straightened and turned. She had her light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. She wore jeans, boots, and a tank top which showed off the muscles in her lightly tanned shoulders and arms. She projected an air of competence and good health. She gave Olivia a big smile, put the brush in a box, and wiped her hands on her jeans as she walked over to shake hands.
    “Hi. Nice to meet you. Come on in.” Hannah welcomed Olivia into the barn. “I’m just finishing up with the General here,” she motioned to the stately horse.
    “He’s a beauty,” Olivia said.
    “He is, isn’t he? He’s a wonderful horse. Despite his size, he’s as gentle as a lamb. I use him to teach new riders because he’s so smart and steady. Do you ride?” Hannah asked as she reached for another brush.
    “Oh, no. I’ve never been on a horse unless you count pony rides at a fair when I was little.”
    “You should try it. I bet you’d enjoy riding.” Hannah pointed to some hay bales along the wall. “Have a seat here if you like while I finish up.”
    Olivia sat and made herself at home. The barn smelled of horse, hay, and fresh air. Hannah kept the place spotless.
    “So I understand that you have some questions for me?” Hannah said as she bent to brush the horse’s legs.
    “Yeah.” Olivia wasn’t sure where to start. “Well, you know I’m staying at my cousin’s house while he’s away and I found some old newspapers in the attic.” Olivia proceeded to explain her interest in and connection to the murder case of forty years ago.
    “So it just seems so horrible that no one was prosecuted for the crime and I wonder what happened with the investigation,” Olivia said.
    Hannah unhooked the horse from the ties and turned him toward the other end of the barn where the far door was also open. “I’m going to put General in the pasture.” Olivia rose from her hay bale perch and walked with them. They stepped into the sunlight and headed down the path to the far field.
    “At the time of the murders, a young man from the area was considered a suspect but there wasn’t enough evidence to arrest and go to trial,” Hannah began. “The police asked me to assist in the case several years ago. A detective contacted me and asked for my input. They were hoping that working together we might come up with a lead that could tie the murders to the suspect.” Hannah paused. “I’m reluctant to get involved in these cases because they’re exhausting for me.”
    She sighed and continued. “I connect with people on the other side. Sometimes I see and hear them or sometimes there’s no visual but they speak to me. In cases involving murder, the police don’t tell me much. They often bring me to the place where the crime occurred and I open myself to sensations. In most cases, I transfer into the body of the victim. Sometimes I can see and feel what the victim saw and felt. In essence, I am