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“Her uncle specifically said wheels.” Judge tilted his head to one side. “I think that narrows it down to a bus or train that can carry many souls.”
“And he said to bet a C-note.” Utah tapped his fingers against the table. “That’s one hundred dollars. There’s something significant about the number.”
“The number of railroad ties?” Gabbie offered.
“A numbered stop?” Utah shrugged. “Makes me want to go on this scavenger hunt to find out.”
Drake laughed. “Me, too.”
“We’d all go if we didn’t have too much left to do here,” Molly said. “We’re pushing to complete the demolition as soon as possible so we can start rebuilding. If we stay on track, we could have the lodge fully up and running by Christmas.”
“As much as I’d like to go, duty calls,” Drake said. “I could send one of our guys with you if you think you need one.”
“I can go with you,” Molly said.
Parker touched Molly’s hand. “You have an appointment midmorning with the interior designer.”
Molly’s brow descended. “I could reschedule her to another day.”
Parker shook his head. “It took three months to get on her schedule. She’s coming all the way from Bozeman to see the lodge.”
Dezi shook her head. “No need. I can do this on my own. I’ll stop by the morgue to make arrangements to have my uncle’s body interred. Afterward, I’ll swing by the bus and the train stations to see if something with the number 100 jumps out at me.” Her lips twisted. “I’m not expecting anything. If my uncle had found a treasure, surely he would have lived in better conditions than he had. If I recall, he rented a single-wide mobile home. The trailer park where he lived wasn’t horrible, but the units in it had seen much better days.”
“You’d think that if he’d found a treasure, he’d have moved to a better place to live,” Cassie said.
“Exactly.” Dezi wasn’t completely convinced the letter was a list of clues. “For all we know, my uncle could’ve been suffering early-onset dementia. I could be setting off on a wild goose chase with nothing at the end but disappointment.”
“Or he could have saved the treasure for you,” Molly said with a gentle smile. “He might not have wanted the money. Sounds like he enjoyed the chase and wanted you to have the same experience.”
Dezi gave Molly a crooked smile. “I don’t have time to chase around the countryside, searching for clues. I have a kitchen to run at the Lucky Lady. I can’t disappoint my new boss.”
Molly smiled. “Our fishing tour group let me know they’d be eating at the Blue Moose Tavern tomorrow night. The rest of us can fend for ourselves.”
“I roasted a ham this afternoon in preparation for going to Bozeman tomorrow to make arrangements for my uncle,” Dezi said. “You’ll have the ham to make sandwiches or fry up with breakfast tomorrow.”
“Perfect. Then you can follow the clues and let us know what you find,” Molly said with a grin.
Dezi frowned down at the list. “I’m not going to spend the entire day in Bozeman unless I have to.”
Molly shook her head. “There’s nothing easy about losing a family member, even if you weren’t that close. The arrangements could take longer.”
“Then I’ll do them by phone,” Dezi said. “I have to be there in person for the viewing and to talk to the attorney. I’ll take care of the funeral arrangements while there, as well.”
“Take some clothes, in case you end up staying,” Molly said.
Dezi nodded. “I will.” She folded the paper, slid it into the envelope and folded it in half before slipping it into her back pocket. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to clean the dishes and go to bed. It’s been a long day for me.”
“You go on and do your thing,” Molly said. “We’ll get the dishes and clean the dining room.”
Dezi frowned. “That’s my job.”
“Not really,” Molly said with a grimace. “We’re looking for someone to do maintenance and cleaning in the dining facility. We just haven’t had much luck.”
“In the meantime, I should be doing it,” Dezi insisted.
Molly sighed. “Okay then. But you have to get out to Bozeman in time to do all you have to do there.”
“I’ll be fine.” Dezi pulled her hand free of Grimm’s and immediately missed his warmth. “If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen.’
