Chapter 25

Answers

*Sam*

I wander for a while messing around with the keyhole attempting to open it. Nothing seems to be working. This charm was made in the 20's so it shouldn't be too complicated to hack open with today's technology. I've been sticking bobby pins in the lock one after another trying to find the one that won't break under pressure. So far my results include 7 snapped pins along with a cracked nail.

My hair might look like a mess but it's worth it to find out the dark secrets that lie in the little charm. "Dammit!" I yell in frustration. "That was the last pin!" With everything in me I wish I could just bust this god forsaken charm! Not looking where I'm going I bump right into Maxie holding about 20 shopping bags. "Oh!" she shouts as the bags fall to the ground. "Maxie I'm so sorry! My mind has been so scattered lately."

"Oh Sam don't worry about it. Things happen." We both kneel down and I help her pick up the new clothes and jewelry. We almost have everything cleaned up when Maxie breaks the silence. "Sam is this yours?" I look up to see Maxie holding the charm bracelet. "Uh yeah. Sorry. I must have dropped it in all the commotion." I begin to take it back when Maxie stops me. "Wait a second….. I have one of these too."

"Whoa. This is your bracelet?" Maxie laughs at my question. "Of course not! These charms are supposed to relate to who you are. Half of these charms don't even live in the same universe as I do!... Although…" "What?" I ask.

"This charm right here. The one with the lock I have." After all this time Maxie still seems to amaze me. "If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it? Not that it's any of my business but from what I hear that charm is extremely rare!" "Spinelli got it for me. Something about it being connected to his alter ego 'The Jackal'... Anyways it had to do something with a man giving his so called gal that charm to…" I cut her off. "Keep their most precious secrets." "Ya! So you do know it?" "Yes." It takes me a second but I have a wild thought.

"Hey Maxie? By any chance do you happen to have the key to your charm on you? I lost mine and there's something really important inside I need to get." She smiles. "Lucky for you I do! When Spinelli gave it to me he made the key into a necklace so I would always have him close to my heart." Maxie removes the key from around her neck and hands it over to me. "Oh my God Maxie you're a lifesaver! Thank you!" I start to hurry away. "I'll get it back to you as soon as I can!"

This is it. The literal key to this whole mystery! I don't waste a second and slide the key into the lock and turn it. A sudden click makes my heart jump. I open the charm to find a piece of paper inside. Quickly I wedge it out and begin to read. It's a receipt for a warehouse on pier 52. Rent use starting over a week ago.

"I know where I'm headed next."