Chapter 23

When he got her calm enough to find out why she had reacted the way she had, he tried to reassure her. Jordan was sure that since Mac knew the truth about who the baby's father was, that now everyone in Boston would as well.

Woody reminded her that the people he worked with were the only ones that didn't know. Both her family and co-workers already did. He also reminded her that Colonel Mackenzie was here to work with him not to gossip about Woody's home life.

Woody hadn't been expecting a beautiful woman to be led to his desk the next morning. Instead, he had thought he would be meeting a manly looking female Marine. He quickly tried to hide his surprise as Mac introduced herself.

Offering her a cup of coffee before they got started he apologized for it's strength saying, "I think it's left over from the night shift."

Mac took a healthy swig and pronounced it 'perfect'.

Woody shook his head as at least one Marine stereo-type remained true in his mind. "Here are both case files for you to take a look at," he told her.

She quickly skimmed both and then asked, "I don't suppose any of the physical evidence has been preserved this long?"

Sadly he shook his head, but brightened when he offered, "No, but there are still a few of the principles of the case available to talk to."

"Really?! That would be great!"

"Petunia, Magnolia's sister is in a nursing home on the other side of town and the junior detective on the case was Max Cavanaugh. He owns a bar near by and we could stop in there for lunch after talking to Petunia if you like."

"I would!" Mac smiled at him. "I met his daughter when she came to Virginia for her Aunt's bridal shower."

"I know," Woody admitted, and when Mac gave him an inquiring look, he told her, "Jordan and I are married."

"Oh! I had no idea. Congratulations!"

"Thank you," Woody said and asked if she was ready to go and see Petunia.

He guided her out to his car and they headed across town to see Petunia Orly. The elderly lady was as much of a surprise to Woody as Mac had been.

They arrived at the nursing home and after asking for Ms. Orly, they were told she could be found in the common room at this time of the day, probably at the piano. However, when they walked into the room and saw the woman seated at the keys Woody just couldn't mentally accept this woman was someone named Petunia!

She was a large boned woman probably close to six feet tall when she was standing, her hair was swept up in a gunmetal gray bun and her hands easily had an octave and a half reach!

Seeing Woody's stunned look, Mac hid a grin and approached the woman. One thing she had learned since starting to work at JAG was never to prejudge any situation. She remembered the kidnapping case Bud had where the napped was a goat!

Smiling, she cleared her throat and asked, "Pardon me, Ma'am, but are you Ms. Petunia Orly?"

The woman stopped playing and turned in Mac's direction. "I am, and who might you be, young lady?"

"Ma'am, I am Colonel Sarah Mackenzie and this is Detective Woody Hoyt, we were hoping to ask you some questions about your sister Magnolia and her son."

"They've been gone nearly forty years now. Whatever interest could you have in them now?"

Woody spoke up, "We actually think we might have found a tie in to another case that might shed some light to what happened to them. Would you mind answering a few questions?"

"I guess not. I have always hoped that her son might still be out there somewhere and that we might meet again before I die."

"What can you tell us about him?" Mac asked her.

"Why don't we go into the garden to talk, it's very pleasant out there," Petunia said and pushed back from the piano. It was the first time Woody and Mac noticed she was in a wheelchair.

To be continued…