[ Her discomfort is nearly palpable, and when she hesitates, he nearly moves in to assure her she does not, in fact, have to answer his question. But answer she does, and he turns to regard her, eyes wide with fascination. ]

You can speak with the dead? [ Curiosity, rather than doubt. ] Truly? How does that work, exactly? Is it as if the deceased has left behind some lingering consciousness, perhaps? Like examining the grounds of some recent scuffle and extrapolating what happened there?