The second part is the mystery. Neither woman knows, but neither one acts surprised either.
Mindy is at the front desk, and we’ve been ordered not to say anything interesting until she gets back. I’m not waiting.
“Is there a nurse or administrator who might have helped her?” I’m hoping against hope.
Miss Jessica presses her lips into a straight line before shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I wish I could be more help.”
“Martha Landry.” Ms. Irene nods knowingly. “She was a candy striper, and she had the biggest mouth in our senior class.”
“Martha Landry? I don’t remember her ever working at the hospital.” Miss Jessica looks at her friend confused.
“She got kicked out after a year.” Ms. Irene flares her eyes. “She thought she was so cute in that uniform. From what I heard, the boys did, too.”
“No!” Miss Jessica hisses.
“Yes.” Ms. Irene raises her eyebrows and does a little sniff. “Now she was a ho.”
Looking back and forth between them, I can’t help it. “Why did I think ladies were more… ladylike back then?”
“Because you’re an idiot.” Miss Jessica snips.
“Please don’t spare my feelings.”
Ms. Irene starts laughing, and Mindy jogs into the room. “What’d I miss?”
I look up at her. “Any idea where I might find Martha Landry?” The ho.
“Well, yeah. She’s over in the east wing.”
“Are you serious?” Standing fast, I catch her arm. “Can I see her now?”
“Probably.”
We take off in the opposite direction. Ms. Irene calls something after us, but I assume it’s another little dig, either about us dating or me knowing nothing about old ladies.
She’d be right about the latter.
Mindy checks her phone. “I guess we can see her now. I know she sleeps a lot these days.”
It takes less than a minute to get to her room, and Mindy taps on the door. “Miss Landry?” Her voice is hushed. “Are you awake?”
“I’m awake!” A high, wobbly voice answers, and my insides tighten.
Could it possibly be this easy?
We enter the room, and I look around at the papers with childish drawings taped to the walls, framed photos of teens in caps and gowns, couples in wedding attire. A thick old lady sits in a glider across from us. She’s wearing heavy, tortoise-shell glasses, and her hair is cut close to her head. She smiles broadly when we enter.
“Hi, Miss Landry.” Mindy speaks softly in sort of a sing-song tone as we enter. I linger at the door. “How are you feeling today?”
“Is that you, Gabriella?” She reaches out a hand, which Mindy takes. “I was just thinking about you. How is little Trixie? I bet she started walking.”
“She’s doing good.” Mindy nods, still speaking in that quiet voice. “She took her first steps last week.”
Straightening, I frown, trying to understand what’s happening right now. Mindy doesn’t have a child…
“You’re so sweet to come and see me. Is that Roy with you?” She leans to the side, peering at me over her glasses. “My word, if I’d known the mayor was coming, I’d have had my hair done.”
“Come say hello, Roy.” Mindy makes eyes at me, and I walk over to shake the old lady’s hand.
“Hi.” I smile, not sure what to say. “How’s it going?
“How are things down at the courthouse?” I look at Mindy for help. She just tilts her head to the side like play along.
“Oh… Ah, you know…” I’m trying to think. “Same old same old… Files and fingerprints.”
Mindy snorts, and I squint at her. She did not prepare me to role-play.
“Did you get my note about that pothole over on Pine Street? I nearly broke an axle on Tuesday.”
“Um… Yes. I did.” Mindy’s eyebrows rise in approval. “I put my best man on it.”
“It better not be that Jimmy Hebert.” The old lady scowls, shifting in her seat. “All he does is stand around and flirt. He doesn’t do a bit of work.”
“I’ve heard about him.” I do my best to sound mayoral, wondering how to get out of this. “I’ll have a talk with him this afternoon in my office.”
“You do that.” She sniffs and moves on to her next complaint. “That Salinas boy was picking his nose again. Tossing newspapers and picking his nose. I have to wash my hands every time I touch my paper.”
She goes on longer than I’d like, until finally Mindy finds an exit strategy. “I’d better get the mayor back to work. Important town business.”
“Well, thanks for visiting.” Miss Landry huffs, shifting in her chair. “You’ve got my vote next year.”
Mindy promises to bring the