Mallory’s eyes widened. “You found out who I am?”
He nodded.
“How?” I asked.
Randy ignored my question and finished chewing his bite of food before focusing on Mallory. “Does a town called Arcola sound familiar to you?”
Mallory frowned and appeared to be trying to search her memory, or lack thereof. She shook her head. “No. Where is it?”
“Illinois.”
All four of us repeated, “Illinois?”
Randy nodded. “Your prints got a hit from the local sheriff’s office there. I called the county office, and after getting transferred around, I finally spoke with someone who actually knew you.”
My heart started to race in my chest, and I suddenly didn’t want to find out who Mallory really was. What if she was married or had a boyfriend? Would that mean she’d leave Montana and head back to her family? Would she be safe if she left here?
When I glanced over to Mallory, I could have sworn she was thinking the same thing as me. Her face was white as a ghost.
“What did they say?” MaryAnne asked when Mallory remained silent.
“Mallory Lee Wilson worked for the county, cleaning offices, when she was in high school. Part of the background check included obtaining fingerprints, that’s why they were on file. She lived with her grandmother, Elenore Hapner, who was her mother’s mom.”
Mallory covered her mouth with a hand, as if in shock.
“Do you need a break, Mallory?” I asked.
Slowly lowering her hand, she replied, “No. Please go on.”
Randy looked at me, then Mallory. “Maybe we should eat first, and then—”
“Are you kidding me?” MaryAnne stated. “You just dropped this bomb on her, and you want her to eat before you tell her more about herself?”
Randy looked to Mallory for guidance.
“Please keep going, Randy.”
He drew in a breath and slowly let it out. “According to this person, you and your parents lived in Chicago until they passed, when you were five. She couldn’t remember how they’d died.”
I kept my eyes locked on Mallory, ready to be there the moment she needed me. She slid her hand toward me, and I quickly took it in mine.
“You moved back to Arcola to live with your grandmother.”
“Did she know who my parents were, the lady you spoke with?”
Randy nodded. “Paul and Roxie Wilson. Your mother was from Arcola, and the county employee thought they might have met in college. I looked up as much information as I could. Paul Wilson was adopted, and your mother had no siblings. The only other relative the woman knew of was your grandmother’s older sister, Nora, and she’s also passed away.”
Mallory looked at me, and I gently squeezed her hand. “My grandmother must be the older woman I saw in the memory.”
I nodded.
“Do I have any siblings?”
Randy shook his head. “Your grandmother was the last living relative. You were working at a restaurant when she passed, less than a year ago. I’m guessing your grandmother left her house to you, because according to real estate records, you sold it about six months after her death. The city worker also said she believes you put some things into storage. Then you moved to Chicago.”
“What?” Mallory said softly. “When?”
“According to this lady, you moved a month or so ago. She wasn’t sure exactly.”
