The mechanism inside shifted with a deep mechanical thunk that echoed through the cellar like a heartbeat. Claire stepped back instinctively. Dust shook from the top of the safe as the door creaked open. She reached in. At first, she thought it was empty.
Then she saw the envelope, sealed with wax bearing the faint imprint of her father’s signet ring. Underneath it—neatly stacked bills, gold coins, old jewelry, and a single velvet pouch that jingled softly when lifted. There were passports, old deeds, and a bank ledger tucked behind it all.