Chapter 7 - Richard Hid a Key Upstairs
Richard’s final message to Naomi contained six words:
THE CLOCK REMEMBERS WHAT I COULDN’T.
Naomi had spent years trying to understand it.
Then she saw the grandfather clock in Adrian’s library during her first
week as housekeeper.
It had belonged to Richard.
That was why she stayed.
Not to spy on Adrian.
To search for whatever Richard had hidden.
She never found a safe way to open the clock without attracting
attention.
Adrian walked upstairs with her.
Inside the library, he removed the rear panel.
Nothing.
Naomi examined the mechanism.
Then she noticed one brass screw was newer than the others.
Behind it sat a tiny key.
Adrian recognized it.
His father had maintained a private archive room in the basement.
The key fit a locked cabinet Adrian had never opened.
Inside were old contractor ledgers.
A flash drive.
And an envelope addressed:
CAPTAIN NAOMI REYES.
Naomi’s hands began shaking.
May you like
Seven years after her career ended, Richard Sterling had finally kept
his promise.
