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 baby next time. We’re out in the hall when she snorts a laugh. “Files and fingerprints?”
“You could’ve told me she has Alzheimer’s before we barged in there.”
“You didn’t ask!” Mindy does her best to stifle more laughter. “You sounded like a pretty good mayor. I’d vote for you!”
“At least I’m familiar with the town.” We stop at the reception desk, and I put my hands on my hips. “What now?”
“You’re trying to find a baby born seventy years ago? Why not just go to the courthouse, Mayor?”
“I have a feeling it wasn’t recorded. I don’t know of any uncle or aunt on my father’s side besides Winnie, and it’s not her.”
Mindy reaches behind the desk and grabs her purse. “Come on. One of the benefits of working here is I know just about all the doctors and nurses at the hospital. Maybe one of them can help us find this baby.”