Chapter 27
"But they didn't do DNA testing back then. Even if all your IFS were there, the best we could do was get a blood type match," Woody stated.
"But it's one more piece than we have now and if you can find that cab driver we could possibly have another!" Mac was getting really excited at the potential prospects.
Woody watched in awe as she took the last bite of the huge burger that had been in front of her and marveled that she had finished all of it.
Max was happy that the case he had worked on so long ago might still be solved all these years later. He was glad to see these two young people so eager to find the answers to a case over three decades old. Then he remembered something that tickled him and he told the two at the table, "You know, if all else fails and you are at a dead end…you could always go and see Clara Rose!"
Mac tilted her head to the side trying to place the name as any she remembered from either of the case files. That was how she missed the horrified look on Woody's face at the suggestion. "I don't remember that name from either case file Mr. Cavanaugh, but if you think she is someone we should talk to, I wouldn't want to leave any stone unturned."
"First, please call me Max, and second, I was only kidding about Clara Rose. She is a local physic. I was just giving my son-in-law a hard time. He's met Ms. Rose a couple of times since she loves to call in random tips to the police. I think your Admiral even met her while he was here."
"Maybe she could tell me if I'll ever meet a guy I really want to marry," Mac sighed.
"I'd be happy to introduce you to her if you like," Woody offered with a smirk. "Meanwhile, since you're done eating we could take a drive to see if that apartment building is still there."
Mac wiped her mouth with her napkin and announced that she was ready to go.
Since it was early afternoon on a week day there was very little traffic to keep them from getting across town quickly.
On the drive they passed a florist shop and Mac gently reminded, "Don't forget your promise to Ms. Orly, Woody."
He looked confused for just a moment and then nodded that he remembered. "I'll stop on the way back if it's not too late by then," he told her. "Would you like to go with me tomorrow? You never did say how soon you had to be back to Virginia."
"Trying to get rid of me already?!" she teased and then added, "I can stay a few days. If I take much more than that the Admiral will be on my six!"
"Well, we wouldn't want that! Let's see how quick we can wrap this all up."
They were pleasantly surprised to find the building was still there and the sign out front said you could still rent rooms there for any length of time. "I can't believe this is still here, let alone still an apartment building," Mac said as they got out of the car.
Going inside they found a dingy foyer with a row of mailbox's along one wall, a check in desk on the other, and an elevator on the far wall. In the middle of the room there were a few ratty easy chairs with a couple of end tables topped with old newspapers and overflowing ash trays. "Charming," Mac commented quietly to Woody.
His arched brow and half grin was all she needed to know he agreed with her assessment of the place. Approaching the overweight, balding man at the desk, Woody asked to speak to the manager.
"You're looking at 'im, copper. Wadda ya want?"
"I'd like to find out if apartment 312 is vacant," Woody told him.
"Aw, fond memories of that one for you and the Mrs.?" he asked, smirking at Mac.
"She's not my wife!" Woody protested.
"Figured as much," the older man sneered.
To be continued…