She pushed the name plate until the long side was in a straight-up position. The key was fully exposed. With shaking hands, she extracted it from the hollow that had housed it, and protected it for the past seventeen years.
It looked like a much smaller version of an antique skeleton key. She turned it over in her hand, knowing the last person who touched the key was her mother. She felt a sense of connection she hadn't felt in a very long time. Silent tears made a path from her eyes, down her face to her chin, then dropped onto her jean-clad knees.
The two men, somewhat understanding her emotional turmoil, stayed quiet. Logan was softly rubbing her back, offering comfort with the warmth of his hand.
Taking a series of deep breaths, Cordelia struggled to regain her composure. When she
