Chapter 2 - The Empty Safe
I rode in the back of the ambulance, holding my mother's frail hand.
The paramedics gave her oxygen to stabilize her heart rate.
My mind raced back to the antique silver locket she always wore.
My late father had given it to her on their anniversary.
He always told me it was the key to our family's true legacy.
I thought it was just a sentimental piece of jewelry.
As soon as we arrived at the hospital, I made sure my mother was safely admitted.
Then I borrowed a phone from a nurse and called a taxi.
I rushed straight back to the sprawling estate I shared with Garrett.
The massive wooden front doors were wide open.
I walked cautiously into the dark, silent foyer.
The entire house had been completely ransacked.
Paintings were torn from the walls, and furniture was slashed open.
They were looking for something else.
I crept up the grand staircase toward our master bedroom.
I heard muffled voices coming from my father's old private study.
I peeked through the cracked wooden door.
Garrett was standing by the fireplace, soaking wet and holding a crowbar.
Evelyn was holding my mother's silver locket, tracing the engraving with a wicked smile.
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"The physical key is useless without the passcode, Garrett," she hissed.
"We need to pry the numbers out of Clara before she realizes who we really work for."
