Chapter 30 - THE UNOPENED VAULT
Eleanor and Marcus walked down the long gravel driveway toward the tall iron front gates under the afternoon sun.
Sitting on the stone pillar near the mailbox was a heavy antique steel box sealed with a heavy brass padlock.
Engraved on the top lid of the box was the original Sterling family coat of arms alongside a small keyhole.
Marcus used a metal detector to scan the package for explosives before allowing Eleanor to step closer.
"It's clean of explosives, but the lock is an antique master tumbler," Marcus reported, stepping back to give her space.
Eleanor reached into her trench coat pocket, pulling out the faded silver pocket watch her grandfather had left her years ago.
She pressed a hidden spring on the back of the pocket watch, revealing a tiny brass key hidden inside the casing.
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She inserted the key into the antique padlock on the box, turning it clockwise until a loud, heavy metallic click echoed across the driveway.
The heavy steel lid swung open slowly, revealing what lay resting inside on black velvet.
