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A hundred thousand people had already listened, and the numbers only continued to grow.
It appeared Mariella had a new career in front of her. Not as a beauty or travel influencer.
But as a true crime junkie.
Given the sudden popularity of the podcast, Mariella and Matthew had decided to stay in the area for a few more days. They wanted to record more. To interview people. To do a “deep dive” as they called it.
They’d even hired Duke—who’d earlier canceled most of his tours for the week due to the road—to act as tour guide for their remaining time here.
Andi had considered going back to Fairbanks to see if Victor was still there. But she’d called the hotel where he was staying and had pretended to be his secretary from Texas. The woman who’d answered told her he’d left earlier.
The news was disappointing. But that meant Andi could stay here a few days longer also.
Finally, they pulled up to Craig’s cabin. The cabin was unlocked, and a few minutes later, they were in Craig’s office.
Right away, Andi saw the bobblehead doll they were looking for.
Andi stared at it a moment. Angela Lansbury. You were the first real crime junkie, weren’t you?
She didn’t say the words aloud.
Instead, she turned to Simmy. “Do you want to do the honors?”
Simmy shook her head, moisture glimmering in her eyes. “No, I’d rather someone else. Duke, would you?”
“Of course.”
Carefully, Duke picked up the bobblehead and twisted its head.
It came off.
He turned the head over and showed them all some papers that had been carefully placed inside.
“Is it the deed?” Andi asked.
Duke carefully took the papers out and straightened the first one.
“Yes, it is.” Duke showed them the paper.
Andi peered closer. This deed originally gave that land to Joe Grunfeld’s family. But just as they suspected, Tommy had paid officials to shred any evidence of that deal and write a new one for the Blancos.
“This helps to prove that Tommy is guilty,” Andi murmured. “It’s a paper trail.”
“There’s another paper inside.” Duke dug it out and unrolled it.
It was an envelope with Simmy’s name scribbled across it.
Her hands trembled as she took it from him.
Andi half expected Simmy to wait until she was alone to open it. But she didn’t. Instead, she unfolded it and pulled out the paper inside.
Then she began to read out loud.
My Dearest Simmy,
I know who you are. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you looked exactly like your mother.
I met Linda when I was only nineteen years old, and we fell madly in love. But our lives took us in separate directions, and she never told me that you existed. I didn’t know until I saw you in the trading post.
