Chapter 60 - The Opened Carter Box
No one spoke for several long seconds.
Daniel crouched beside the Carter box whose wax seal had already been broken.
Unlike the others, its lid bore faint scratches, as though someone had opened and closed it repeatedly in great haste.
Samuel photographed every angle before carefully lifting the cover.
Inside lay only three objects.
A leather notebook.
An old brass pocket watch.
And a folded inventory card.
Daniel immediately recognized the pocket watch.
It looked identical to the one his grandfather had carried every day until his death.
He picked it up.
The metal felt unexpectedly warm.
Samuel unfolded the inventory card.
Instead of listing documents, it contained only handwritten notes.
Contents Removed
Date: Unknown
Authorized By: C.
"C?" Lily whispered.
"Carter?" Daniel wondered.
The elderly caretaker slowly shook his head.
"No."
"There was never anyone here whose name began with C."
Samuel turned the card over.
A second message appeared beneath ultraviolet light.
If the box is already open when Daniel arrives... trust whoever opened it.
Daniel stared silently.
Someone had reached the archive before them.
Yet instead of stealing everything...
That person had intentionally left behind a message addressed only to him.
Then Daniel opened the leather notebook.
The first page contained a single sentence written in elegant handwriting.
May you like
You have already met me.
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