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“And we have to assume that whatever was worth anything was removed ages ago.”

“I would think they would have taken their treasures with them to the new home in Streeterville,” I suggested.

“Yes. All the art, gilded mirrors, the leftover silver, and Limoges porcelain were taken by different members of the family. Some of it resides in museums, while the rest is in private galleries.”

I nodded.

“But apparently there were rooms that had been boarded up, many closets filled with ruined clothing and furs. There were also lots of boxes filled with paper.”

“No cash?” Bing asked hopefully.

“No, son, no cash.”

I chuckled. “Why do you say ruined clothing and furs?”

“Well, much of it looks like it was caught in various elements—water, mostly—but there’s a cedar trunk that didn’t look as destroyed as the others that I’ve taken the liberty of moving to your workstation in the cold room. It looks to me like a hope chest. If it is, and it contains letters from one of the matriarchs of the family, I think it will be a great find. Someone who collects items from the Gilded Age might be quite excited about a treasure like that.”

“But I’m not the first person to inventory it,” I surmised.

“Oh no. I suspect that teams have gone through everything already. It makes sense that the family would have arranged for that.”

“A collector might find letters of mundane correspondence really exciting.”

“From a historical context, yes. That’s what we’re hoping. I mean, as I said, anything of any real value is gone. We’re not expecting to discover any jewels or expensive linens. It will be interesting, though, to see what you find.”

“How so?”

“As a member of the jarl, there may be documents that we wouldn’t see as being of interest, but you might.”

“I will certainly be on the lookout for anything noteworthy.”

“Excellent. I’ll reassign Bing to Terri until you’ve completed your examination of the chest and its contents.”

I glanced at my friend, who had her hand over her heart like she was going to pass out.

“Oh, that’s not necessary, sir. It will be excellent training for Bing to assist me.”

He squinted at me. “If you believe so. But if you get slowed down, do let me know.”

“Of course, sir.”

Once he was gone, Bing slipped around in front of me. “I know I drive you nuts, so why won’t you pawn me off on someone else?”

“Well, Terri might poison you under the guise of bringing you tea.”

“Very true,” she called over. “That could totally happen.”

“And if she was booked on attempted murder charges and then you were reassigned to Marc, he might actually shiv you, and⁠—”

“I would,” Marc called from the other side of the room. “I really would. I have a spork waiting to be turned into a murder weapon.”

“So there you have it.” I got down off my stool. “I can’t in good conscience allow either of my friends to be put in that situation.”

Bing’s eyes bulged, and I smiled at him.

“And this way it will be a bit more exciting for you,” I stressed.

His head fell back, and he made a choking sound in his throat. “Cataloging is so boring. I could die.”