I listed three facts conveyed to three different police agencies that she could call and confirm. She agreed to do so but said she was ninety percent convinced already and asked me to continue.
"Tell me anything you can," she said. "If you ask me to keep it off the record, I will."
"On the record, tell the public this; you've been led to believe the psychic tipster is a woman of an age able to collect social security. She is living in Idaho. Some people around her know of her ability and assist her but she alone has the gift. This unique ability was discovered recently and she is as shocked as anyone about possessing it. She will only utilize it for common good. Her visions are limited as to time or location and she has no idea when they might disappear. The process causes physical difficulty and effort. If she is in any way discovered or harassed, she will immediately cease utilizing this extraordinary gift."
"She wants her anonymity," Ethel Reagan repeated.
"She demands it. And she abhors the false prophets who abound and considers the million dollar reward offered a direct invasion of her privacy. Additionally, hounding her is a gross disservice to law enforcement because her help will cease if someone discovers her identity."
"Wow! That's a mouthful!"
"Chew on it. Be an advocate of her privacy, not her identification. What else? Ask a few questions; I'll see if there are any I can answer. I'll tell you if it's on or off the record."
"When did it start?"
"It began with the Rhode Island boy who disappeared last September."
"How many cases has she been involved in?"
"This will be off the record. Several hundred but that needs clarification. A lot are cases of runaway or lost and many are children found quickly. As for true abductions; we've located close to fifty. There have been three serial killers caught as well. But you don't need those numbers; I understand you've done your homework searching public records."
"Has she ever been wrong?"
"Never, to date. She only provides tips and assumes the authorities will use our call to investigate the crime and reach their own conclusions with legally obtained evidence."
"Is the government involved, or backing her in some way?"
"No. Policing authorities at all levels are smart enough to accept the tips gratefully and not dig to disturb the source."
"Have you heard about an organization called After? Is she involved with it?"
"No. I've barely heard of it. They chase down cases that are still pending, don't they?"
"Yes. They just got started but they're doing good work." She changed the subject. "What do you want form me; to stop writing about it?"