Page 88 of The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

“What was it called before?”

Yawning, I say, “It used to be calledRestaurant. The word is still painted under the alligator sign because they were too cheap to paint over it.”

“Can I head over there?”

“If you promise to get me one of Lexi’s Sm’ookies later.”

“Of course.”

I pass him the keys and go back to sleep. Hours later, I’ve nearly forgotten the exchange when I find Maddock inside the restaurant pacing. Thankfully, I beat the Klatch here today.

We say good morning and he asks about a dozen questions, trying to figure out why the clue pointed toRestaurant.

I wish I had better answers, but it’s not until I’m cleaning up at the end of the day does something float into my mind. “The restaurant,” I whisper. Then, more loudly, “The Christmas decorations.”

Maddock’s eyes grow wide as if he knows what I’m talking about.

I don’t finish mopping and we race to the door and lock up. Ambrette may have swindled him out of the chateau, but he’s been working with legitimate lawyers to figure out recourse. It could take a while, especially since she hinted that there might be a rightful heir, but I found the Christmas decorations and we’d like to see the chateau become a hotel, if not a historic site, so we stored everything until the case is settled. Maddock invested a lot of money in rehabilitating the building and land, so at the very least, he’d like to recoup his investment ... with interest.

We carefully unpack the boxes until we come across the little painted Christmas village made of wood. Along with the soda fountain, the theater, a few other buildings, and the clock tower, we find the restaurant. I hold it carefully in my hands and turn it over.

“It feels like the bottom slides out.”

Maddock takes it and gently shifts the wood. He flips the panel over and something gleams. “Is that what I think it is?”

My smile grows. “It’s small, flat, and gold.”

“One of Tickle’s Golden Tokens,” he breathes.

I turn over the golden coin in my hand. On one is a flying pig with wings and on the other is a clock with the hands pointing to three. It’s shiny and smooth like it just came from the mint or wherever eccentric old men with the last name Tickle obtain things like this.

Maddock reaches inside the little restaurant cavity. “There’s also a piece of paper.”

“I hope it’s not another riddle,” I say.

Maddock unfolds the brittle paper and reads, “‘Times change. So you don’t forget, find my brother under the tower at three o’clock.’”

“Times do change,” I say.

“But whose brother do you think it could be?”

I shrug and rub my finger over the clock. “I’m guessing the message means the clock on the coin.”

A moment that’s as quick as lightning passes between us before we both utter, “Back to the Future.”

Maddock and I jump to our feet. Hand in hand, we dash to the town square. It’s nearly dark and we gaze up at the clock tower, circling it once, twice, and then stand under the portico where we kissed just last week.

“Back to the Future,” I repeat with a laugh.

“Let’s see what else Hogan has up his sleeve.”

Plywood covers the door, likely to keep Jesse out, but I try to jiggle it loose. Maddock angles his head for me to move out of the way. Like a beast, he tears it off with a splintering crack.

“I’d say ladies first, but I’m not sure it’s safe.” Maddock takes the lead up the creaky wooden stairs.

It’s slow going as we pick our way carefully. When we reach the top, I look out over Hogwash Holler, wishing it would reveal its secrets.

He says, “I don’t see much other than dust and bird doo.”

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