The rain had stopped.
Only the scent of wet earth remained in the air.
For several minutes, no one dared touch the envelope Jonathan Vale had left behind.
It rested on the hood of Ethan's car like a silent challenge.
Lucas looked from the envelope to Ethan.
"So..."
"Who's opening it?"
No one answered.
Lily slowly stepped forward.
"I will."
Her voice was calm.
Calmer than she actually felt.
Every truth she'd uncovered during the past few weeks had changed her life forever.
Another secret couldn't possibly hurt more.
Or so she wanted to believe.
She carefully broke the seal.
Inside were three items.
A faded photograph.
A brass key with the number **17** engraved on it.
And a handwritten letter.
Lucas frowned.
"A key?"
Ethan picked it up carefully.
"It looks like a safe
