Chapter 1 - THE KEY INSIDE THE CREST BEAD.
Pearls rolled across the marble as Gabriel Reed entered the gala. He lifted one with a handkerchief and saw the tiny family crest.
“Who broke my wife’s necklace?”
Vivian closed her fist around the crest bead and called it fake. Seven-year-old Elsie remained safely on the padded bench while Naomi stood between her and the guests.
“My mother said Grandpa would know the pearls,” Elsie whispered.
Then Vivian’s phone rang. Gabriel placed it on speaker.
“Dad, I’m behind the blue door. Keep Elsie away from Vivian.”
Three knocks sounded from the locked gallery.
Gabriel ordered the officers to guard every exit. Vivian insisted the room contained fragile acquisitions and could not be opened during a public event.
Naomi looked at the scattered pearls.
“You called a child a thief before checking who broke the necklace.”
A museum conservator brought the master key. Before he used it, Elsie held up the crest bead.
“There’s another key inside.”
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The bead opened along a hidden seam.
Inside was a microfilm strip bearing Evelyn Reed’s signature—and a list of children placed through the museum foundation.
