I came across a fairly recent true story that would make an interesting RB story.
An eccentric, and also not terribly honest, art/antiques dealer by the name of Forrest Fenn had a very successful art gallery in New Mexico and became fairly wealthy. In 2010, he took over a million dollars in gold, jewelry, and coins; placed them in a small chest: and buried the chest somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. Then Fenn wrote a book which included a chapter on the buried treasure and a poem with 8 clues to its location.
Fenn's intent was to encourage a greater interest in the outdoors, especially the wilderness. Instead, thousands of eager treasure hunters combed the Rockies and the national parks hoping to get rich. Many wasted years looking for the chest. Some spent all they had in the search. At least five died.
Finally in 2020, after five years of research and wilderness hiking, a grad student from Michigan found the chest with its gold and jewels. Mr. Fenn confirmed that the student had in fact located the chest in an undisclosed location in Wyoming.
Fenn passed away just 3 months after the chest was found. Dozens of law suits and threats arose from other treasure hunters who were angry over missing the prize.
Imagine the stir a treasure hunt like that would cause in Knotty Pine. Treasure seekers might hire some of the local desert rats, miners or rangers to help them decipher the clues and climb into the Rockies. Think of those injured or killed in that hunt. Think too of the treasure hunters who wasted so much of their lives.
The Root of All Evil might be a good title. Any other titles come to mind? Comments and suggestions are most welcome.
God bless.
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