To my right, the former parlor served as the main office, complete with the original fireplace. The hearth and surround were dark red brick and the whole of it was topped with a dark mahogany mantel-piece. There was no counter separating the reception area from the office secretary, whose desk had been arranged facing the wide bay window. She interrupted her typing to turn and look at me. She seemed pleasant; dark-haired, plump, probably in her forties, though it was hard to tell. When she said, "Yes, ma'am?" several dimples appeared in her cheeks. She pulled out a chair and patted the seat.

I crossed the room and sat down, introducing myself. "I'm looking for Mrs. Bishop."

"She's in district meetings all day, but maybe I can help. I'm Mrs. Marcum. What can I do for you?"

"Here's the problem," I said, and launched into the tale. I'd told it so often that I had it down pat; the search for Jane Doe's identity in fifty words or less. For the umpteenth time, I described Jane Doe and the series of interviews that had led me to Lockaby. "Do you remember anyone like that?"

"Not me, but I've only been here ten years. I'll ask some of the teachers. Mrs. Puckett, who teaches typing, doubles as the guidance counselor. She'd be the one who'd recognize the girl if anyone did. Unfortunately, she's out today – we all get a mental-health day every couple of months. She'll be in first thing tomorrow morning if you want to come back."

"If she does recognize the girl, would you have her records somewhere?"

"Not going back that far. We had a fire here eight years ago. Between the smoke and water damage, we lost the majority of our files. It's a wonder the whole place didn't go up in flames. The fire department saved us. They were here in seven minutes and knocked it down in thirty before it had a chance to spread."

"How'd it happen?"

"Fire chief said electrical. We had wiring that dated from the original construction – 1945. He said it was a wonder it hadn't happened before. Now we have smoke detectors, heat detectors, and a sprinkling system-the works. We're lucky we weren't wiped out. Happily for us, there weren't any injuries or loss of life. Paperwork, who cares? It accumulates faster than I can file it."

"The kids like it here?"