One last puzzle, if you're up for it.
Tough age to lose somebody.
You never once mentioned New York.
No need to be intimidated.Just take a deep breath.Hang on a second.I know you.Cat Tracey, huh?
If I told you what really happened, you probably wouldn't believe me.
We're here at 76th and Madison, where a fire has broken out at the historic Highgate Hotel.
Wouldn't believe me about the fire.Wouldn't believe me about the hotel.Wouldn't believe me about... me.
Stay calm.We're gonna get you out of here.
Everybody loves a good story.
What's your name?Kat.Take my hand, Kat.
Here's my pitch.It's got twists, turns.
Some real life or death shit.And if I don't tell the story, nobody will. It started in spring, and it started far away from all this.In Berlin, Minnesota, population 6,736.6,735 the day I lost my mom.I'm so sorry, Kat.
That was the first of many times I'd hear those words.
Diner's not gonna be the same without Alice.We made you a casserole.I just can't believe she went so quickly.
And the first of many times I wouldn't know what to say back.
Kat, we're gonna rev this thing up.Crack the will open.You ready?
Mom died in June.But since Merlin only has one lawyer, her will wasn't read till September.
Well, congratulations, kid.You're the sole beneficiary.She left everything to you.
I'd forgotten she even had a will.It wasn't like she had much to leave me.
And the house, which you can choose to keep or sell or, hell, rent out for some passive income.
Our little one-story house by the lake.We painted it yellow when I was ten.How can I live in it without Mom?On the other hand, how can I give up the only home I've ever known?
And there's one more thing.
It's a safe deposit box.So light at first, I think it's empty. All that's inside is a little piece of stationary.At the top, a logo, the Highgate Hotel, 942 Madison Avenue, New York, New York.Then a date, 1-3-0-8.
And beneath it, in my mom's messy cursive, all it says is, Baby K, one last puzzle, if you're up for it. Is there anything else?Like, is there supposed to be something else in the box?
Bet you were hoping for diamonds.
Guess I'll have to wait for someone else to die to come into massive fortune.
You know, I remember seeing you two at a noir fest at the picture house when you were, what, five?
We went every year.She started me young.
Pretty intense films for a little kid.You were screaming in your seat.
Mom loved mysteries for the thrill.I hated the thrill.I love mysteries because they make sense.Every clue perfectly connected, every thread tied neatly up.And now here's one last puzzle if I'm up for it.
But even if I solve it, my life won't make sense.Not without her in it.
Tough age to lose somebody. I really am very sorry.
One last puzzle if you're up for it.That's it?No coupon for an all-expenses-paid weekend in a luxury suite for you and your very cute best friend at this hotel?No, no more.
Meet Ethan McKay, a high-fashion farm boy.Or maybe a small-town Samantha Jones.And the last person I love in Berlin.
Wow, parents have all kinds of sordid secrets from their youth.For example, Mother Jeanette told me she spent one night as a stripper at a roadside motel in Mankato to pay for the bus back to Berlin.Ooh, this place looks fancy.
Maybe Alice took a lover and this is where they had their secret trysts.
Ugh, no!I just... And what's the puzzle?This gives me nothing.
Why are you raising your eyebrow like that? Stop raising your eyebrow like that.
An address you could go to.
I don't want to go to New York.
Who doesn't want to go to New York?Oh, it's the greatest city in the world.Source, I went on the theater trip senior year of high school, and I've seen all of Sex and the City thrice.
I know you might not want to hear this, but you gave up a lot while Alice was sick.
You dropped out of college.
I'm going to finish online.Eventually.
You sat in this house all summer.
Which is a perfectly reasonable response to my mom being literally dead.
You're right.I'm sorry.You know I loved her too.
Yeah.I know. I've never been on a plane.
It's the safest and sexiest way to travel.It's a metal tube hurtling through the sky.Oh, you'll love it.No Wi-Fi, perfect time to read a book.Oh, this is so glamorous.I'm coming with you.Wait, I can't.It's Jax's last week here before grad school.
So you'll have to settle for missing me.
If I take too much time off at the library, I'll be an orphan and I'll be unemployed.
Go for a week.I'll cover your shift.
You don't know the Dewey Decimal System.
You know what Alice used to say.Pressure makes diamonds.
That was usually about pulling an outfit together two minutes before she had to leave the house.
Rihanna, Rihanna.You know you'll never get another puzzle from her.This is the last one.
Think about it. But don't overthink about it.
That would be so unlike me.
Oh, yes, Miss Cat.Nothing like you.
Ethan was right about one thing.Thinking about grief gets you nowhere.It's like going back to the fridge over and over, hoping the snack you want magically appears.But it never does.You're always left hungry.And I could either starve in Berlin or go.
I'm gonna FaceTime you every five minutes.You're gonna be sick of me.
Water the plants while I'm gone?Obviously.And the chickens?
Okay.When your life falls apart, you start looking for signs.A butterfly landing on your shoulder.A rainbow after a storm.I'm coming!I'm coming!A riddle on a piece of hotel stationery.
Alright folks, we are finally on our way.We've got stops in Rossfield, Lanesboro, and Wabasha, and route to Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport.
Sit back, relax, and... Enjoy this extraordinary view of Central Park out the window to your left.
The plane does a victory lap over Manhattan.From up here, it looks like a fantasy.A perfect grid.Sparkling skyscrapers.
It's a perfect 73 degrees in New York City.Not a cloud in sight.
I might not have wanted this, but looking down at the city... Put up those tray tables.
Make sure your seatbelts are securely fastened.
I have to believe I'm here for a reason.
LaGuardia Airport.For passenger pickup and rideshare, proceed to door A5.For taxi and shuttle, proceed to door A6.Oh, I've seen this in movies.Taxi!
Get in line, lady.Never mind.76th Street and Madison Avenue, please. I've been outside the Highgate Hotel 30 seconds, and I've already seen four Birkin bags.Oh, Ethan would be drooling.
Meanwhile, I'm wearing a ratty old t-shirt that says, ask me about my horse.Even the doorman knows I don't belong here.He's staring me down like he wants to kick me to the literal curb.
You got a reservation?If you got a reservation, I'll take you back.If you don't, you're SOL.No vacancy.
Right. A reservation.At the roadside Super 8, you usually don't need one of those.Shit, this is why I hate last-minute plans.There's always something I forget, like my Kindle, or my mouthguard, or... Hang on a second.
Ah, forget it.Losing my mind.Anyway... You inside or you're off my sidewalk?
I'm here for a job interview.I don't know why I said that.I didn't mean to say that.But I didn't come all this way not to go inside.It's to be, um, personnel.I've always dreamed of being personnel.Huh.
Sidewalk to Gigi.Go for Gigi.Got a girl here for an interview.Say she wants to be personnel. Name?
Her?She's the one.Follow me.
Whoa.The hotel lobby is so beautiful.It looks like a movie set.Everything gilded and glittering.Mom, as I knew her, was scrappy and carefree.Grace on her t-shirts from late shifts at the diner, grass stains on her jeans.I can't imagine her here.
But 24 hours ago, I couldn't imagine me here either. The actual position title is Guest Services Specialist.Like me, Gigi is probably in her early 20s.Unlike me, Gigi looks like she could kill a man with her claw clip and feel zero remorse.
She leaves me behind the front desk.I feel like I just crossed a border without a passport.What is that?A gym bag?It's a duffel bag.It's actually really convenient for travel because it squishes up.I just got in from out of town.
Ugh, what is in here?I brought a few books.Mostly Anna Karenina because I just don't think Russian literature should be read on a Kindle.Yeah, okay.
You're not on the schedule.
What's Cat short for?I was so transfixed by the lobby that I almost forgot I've been lying my face off.I'm sure this is where my luck runs out.Nothing.Just Cat.
You're in luck.Emily R. was a no-show, and the girl before her was wearing skinny jeans.So, I'm willing to slot you in.But, ugh, that t-shirt.
Is everyone gonna be a disaster today? We do have a lost and found.These are things people lost?It looks like Carrie Bradshaw's closet threw up in here.
Here.No one will miss this sweater.It's hideous.It's perfect!You'll have to put it back.Immediately.But I can't send you into Rene looking like that.It'll be embarrassing for me.Who's Rene?
Cat?Cat, hi.I'm Cat.Pleasure.Right this way. I prefer to meet everyone to ensure our new hires meet the Highgate standard.No need to be intimidated, just take a deep breath and be yourself."
Now probably isn't the time to tell her I have no idea who she is.But I can tell she's somebody.She's got poreless skin, model cheekbones, accent right out of Bridgerton, and she's looking at me like I'm the most interesting person in the world.
You remind me of an old friend, that's all.Something about your posture.
Sorry, slouching runs in the family.
Now, what did you say your last name was?Tracy.Cat Tracy.Cat Tracy.
She says my name like she's tasting wine, trying to figure out how it sits in her mouth.
Well, Cat Tracy, I'm Renee Highgate.Pleasure.
Oh. Okay.Her name is on the building.Very casual.Totally fine.It's amazing to meet you.I would be thrilled to work at a woman-owned business.
That's refreshing.The girl before you came in with a copy of my 2019 British Vogue feature for me to sign.Like this was some sort of meet-and-greet.So gauche.
Gauche?Who am I?I put on one Chanel sweater and start saying gauche?Do you have a resume?I, um, I cut out printers to reduce my carbon footprint.But I can pull it up on my phone.Here.Berlin, Minnesota.I don't believe I've heard of it.
No reason why you would have.It doesn't even have a Wikipedia page.
Library volunteer, University of Minnesota Department of English.What is a 4-H award?
It's a youth development organization.My blue ribbon was for growing the county's largest turnip.But you should know up front that I'm not actually good at gardening.It was a slow year for turnips.
That sweater wouldn't happen to be from our lost and found, would it?
Um... I'm so sorry.I was severely underdressed and I'm gonna put it back, I swear.Kat... Look, I've never worked at a hotel, but I was a cashier at an antique store, which also involves dealing with a lot of cranky old people.
Kat... Sorry, not that the people here are cranky or old... Kat... They're probably lovely.You're hired.
Tired?How did that happen?
Well, it's more or less what you'd expect.Taking reservations, addressing guests' concerns.And you said you just moved here.Do you need a place to stay?Just for the night.I'll make you a deal.
We've got our 25th anniversary gala coming up in a week, and I'm knee-deep in chaos, as you can imagine.Totally. And I have a little ad hoc project that I need some help with.Nothing too involved.Just taking inventory of my personal wares.
Should be a piece of cake after the dewey decimal system at the Berlin Public Library.Quick timeline.Need it done in a week.If you're willing, I could offer you a place to stay.You look like you have a question.Why me?
I've got a feeling that you really want to be here.
I've had the note from mom in my pocket ever since I opened the safe deposit box.It's true.I do want to be here.But I can't accept this.Why?Because this wasn't the plan.Because I'm going home in a week.Because... It's too much.
Stuff like this doesn't happen to girls like me.
Maybe you're not the kind of girl you thought you were. So, what do you say?
Well, what did you say?I said I had to think about it. Think about it.You waltz off a plane with a gym bag, and you get a job at the best hotel this side of the Burj Khalifa, and a free room, and... Breathe, Gigi.You are put together.You are a queen.
I might not be from Manhattan, but the language of girls is universal.Gigi's jealous.I'm gonna step outside for a sec.Come on.Come on.Pick up.
You've reached Ethan McCain.
Actually, you haven't reached me, which sucks for you, doesn't it?Leave a message at the beep or feel free to reach out via text, WhatsApp, IG, Snapchat, Grindr.
Okay, I can do this.I can make a decision on my own.I'm a capable adult.Okay, let's see.Pros.Free room at a place I definitely can't afford to stay.Lots of access to figure out what mom's puzzle is.
I'm only gonna be here for a week, so it does feel irresponsible to take a job.I'd have to lie, and I'm a bad liar, and I hate lying.Also, Gigi might assassinate me.I wish I had another sign. No, I'm sorry.I'm so sorry.Well, there's my sign.
Everything here is so fast and so loud.Millions of people living loud, fast lives.I can't be one of them.I'm just not cut out for it.Maybe I should just turn around and go.
You gotta yell back, you know.
I was on the curb, you dingus!Or, uh, hey, watch where you're driving!Or even a good old-fashioned flip of the bird.
No dice on the interview, huh?
I am, I just... I'm not sure it's the right fit.
I don't know.Came in here fresh off a plane with that gym bag and came out with a job?Seems like you might belong here.
Sure.Belong here like a cow belongs at a car wash.I have to tell Rene in five minutes, so gotta get my ducks in a row, I guess.
Well, uh, good luck.You know what they say.Pressure makes diamonds.
My heart flips when he says it.I've never believed in coincidences, but... What?Nothing.Just... thank you. My feet make the choice before my head does.
I push through the revolving door and through a crowd of exceptionally well-dressed tourists and straight into... Bloody hell, watch where you're walking!A guy I can only describe as a young Jude Law.
If... Young Jude Law looked at me like I was a bug on his windshield... Watch where you're walking!Excuse me?Sorry, that was bad advice I took.I didn't mean to be rude.I gotta go. But I don't have time for Jude Law.Not when Mom sent me here.
There are answers at the Highgate and I can't leave until I find them.So... Renee, I'm in.
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