An elderly woman in a floral wheelchair sat near the nurses’ station, staring at a blank wall.

A heavy-set woman in blue scrubs walked down the hall toward the door.

She looked annoyed as she unlocked it.

“Visiting hours ended at six,” she said, looking at Vance’s badge.

“Detective Vance, Marion County Sheriff’s Department,” he said, holding up his identification. “I need to speak with the administrator on duty.”

“She’s gone for the day,” the woman said, her eyes shifting to Claire and me. “I’m the head nurse, Mrs. Gable.”

“We’re here to see Margaret Elaine Mitchell,” I said, stepping forward.

Mrs. Gable’s face went pale.

She looked at the paperwork in Vance’s hand.

“We don’t have anyone by that name here,” she said quickly.

“Yes, you do,” I said. “She might be registered under a different social security number, but she is here.”

“I can’t let you in without authorization from her primary guardian,” Mrs. Gable said, stepping back to close the door.

Vance put his hand against the glass, preventing it from shutting.