Room Eighteen
Chapter 12 - Room Eighteen
A tip from the recovery contractor led detectives to a rehabilitation clinic that had closed the previous winter. Its records identified a woman admitted under an assumed surname after a head injury. The patient had been transferred to another facility, then discharged to supported accommodation.
The woman's date of birth was wrong. Her identifying paperwork was incomplete. But a note in the chart described a silver lighthouse necklace that had been removed after she arrived. Another note described repeated questions about a younger sister named Isabella.
When detectives showed the information to Isabella, she began shaking.
“That's her,” she whispered.
Ethan moved his chair closer but waited for her to reach out. She placed her hand on his arm.
Police tracked the discharge address to a group home near Madison. Staff recognized Mara's photograph, though they knew her by another name. She had moved out several months earlier, leaving with a social worker who helped locate her family records.
The social worker had tried unsuccessfully to contact Isabella because the number on Mara's old phone was disconnected. The newest lead pointed to a small community clinic in northern Wisconsin.
Isabella wanted to drive there that night. Ben wanted to come. Naomi asked them to permit authorities to verify the woman's identity and wishes before arranging contact.
“I know you hate hearing that,” Naomi said.
Isabella wiped her eyes. “I don't hate it. I hate that nobody asked Mara what she wanted when they took her.”
The next afternoon, Naomi called.
“The woman at the clinic has agreed to a supervised video call.”
Isabella gripped the kitchen counter.
May you like
“She's asking whether you still make your mother's Sunday pancakes.”
Isabella began to cry. Only Mara knew about those terrible, lumpy pancakes and the rule that everyone had to eat them anyway.
