For Finley.

While her father hadn’t spent his wealth on exorbitant things, he had proven his willingness to give her extremely generous gifts through the trust he’d arranged for her.

Was that what he was doing via this treasure hunt? Giving her another extremely generous gift? If so, why? He’d already done so much to ensure her financial stability.

A scuffling sound from the floor drew her attention. Sally (twelve-year-old pug, snores loudly) shifted from lying down to sitting up. She peered at Finley with sweet round eyes. Sally’s frequent sidekick, Dudley (four-year-old hedgehog, loves apples) stood beside her, tiny nose twitching.

“Should I go ahead and open it?” Finley asked them.

Dudley gave her a poker face, but Sally panted happily.

Finley took that as a yes. She turned the envelope and slid her thumb between the flap and the backing.

Nostalgia curled tentacles around her. She’d experienced this same wistful squeeze whenever things she’d valued had begun to reach their conclusion. When her best childhood friend had been about to move away. When her high school years had wound down. During the waning days before Dad left to serve his sentence. When her years at Furry Tails’ first location had drawn to a close.

This was the beginning of another end. Once she reached the treasure—if she reached the treasure—she’d receive no more communication from her father. Not for the rest of her life.

Don’t be ridiculous, Finley! Change is the drumbeat of life. You know this.

She slid out a piece of ivory cardstock. A photograph drifted to the tabletop. She turned it right side up, revealing an old picture of her and her dad. She tilted the letter to the light.

Finley,

If you’re reading this, I’m gone. I’m sorry if I left you sooner or more suddenly than you wanted. If I could have, I’d have stayed alive as long as you needed me.

I want to make sure you know that you’re my sun, my everything. My daughter. My joy. My source of significance. Before you, I thought I knew what it meant to live, but I was wrong. It was only in you, in my role as your father, that I found out what it meant to truly live. My wish for you is that in loving someone, you, too, will discover what I did.

Thank you, sweetheart.

You made me so happy. I have no regrets when I look back on our time together. Only endless gratitude. You’re my legacy, and I couldn’t be prouder.

If I have to go out, and it seems like I do, then why not go out big with one last birthday treasure hunt? For the next clue, return to your roots and to the place shown in the photo.

Happy birthday.

I love you.
Dad