Chapter 16 - The Third Key
Margaret stared toward the entrance of the archive as the footsteps drew closer.
A woman emerged from the shadows wearing a long gray coat. Time had added silver to her hair, but her posture remained steady and confident. Rebecca's face turned pale.
"Mother..."
Helen Brooks offered a gentle smile that did little to ease the tension.
"I hoped we would meet again under better circumstances."
Rebecca shook her head.
"You disappeared."
"I allowed everyone to believe that."
Daniel stepped in front of Margaret instinctively.
"You've been following us."
"For years," Helen admitted. "Not because I wanted to hurt you. Because someone else never stopped searching."
Arthur folded his arms.
"You could have contacted us."
"No, Arthur. I couldn't."
Helen slowly removed a chain from around her neck. Hanging from it was a brass key identical to the two already in Margaret and Daniel's possession.
The third key.
Arthur released a long breath.
"So Samuel's plan actually worked."
Helen walked toward the black safe but stopped several feet away.
"No one opens it alone."
Margaret held her key tightly.
"My sister left messages warning me not to trust anyone."
Helen nodded.
"She left me the same warning."
Rebecca looked confused.
"Why would Aunt Eleanor tell everyone not to trust each other?"
"Because she knew one terrible truth."
Helen's eyes settled on the black safe.
"None of us knew who the real traitor was."
Silence filled the archive.
The three keys suddenly began to vibrate faintly in their owners' hands.
A hidden mechanism inside the safe had recognized their presence.
May you like
Without anyone touching it, the three keyholes emitted a soft golden light.
---
