Chapter 23: The Fireproof Box
The morning after the fire was eerily quiet.
Blackwood Tower stood scarred against the gray sky. The smell of smoke still lingered in the air as investigators searched through the damaged building.
Inside a temporary conference room, Damien, Ariana, Lucas, Victoria, and Father Gabriel gathered around a large wooden table.
In the center rested the fireproof box recovered from the executive archive.
For several moments, no one spoke.
It felt as though the answers they had been chasing for weeks were locked inside.
Damien finally broke the silence.
"Open it."
Lucas examined the lock carefully.
"It's old, but not electronic."
"There has to be a hidden release."
Father Gabriel stepped closer.
He traced his fingers over the engraved oak tree on the lid.
