8. Key to my Heart
The group gathered around the box Bess had been searching through. Nancy lifted the worn little book from the bottom of the box. She carefully examined the journal, a simple book bound in red. A small gold lock kept the cover securely closed.
"What do we do now?" George questioned, eyeing the lock. "Find a locksmith?"
"That could take some time. Maybe she had a key hidden somewhere." Joe suggested. "Anyone see anything while we were searching?"
Everyone thought about the areas they had searched. Nobody had seen any signs of a key anywhere.
"Nancy, what is that paper?" Gabriel reached out to touch the corner of a yellowing slip of paper that was visible above the pages of the journal.
"I don't know." Nancy shrugged. "It could be a folded page I suppose." Nancy studied the protruding corner of the paper. It seemed to be a separate page in the journal. Carefully, Nancy separated the pages that held the paper in place and pulled it out. The page was crumpled and worn with age. With great care Nancy unfolded the paper and read the words out loud. "The rose's vine holds the key to my heart."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bess asked.
"I hope it means that a key is hidden somewhere in this house." Nancy answered.
"But where?" Joe questioned. "This place is huge. And what does 'the key to my heart' mean?"
"I think I get it." Frank murmured. "A journal holds your deepest secrets, the secrets of your heart. A key would unlock a journal. The key to her heart is the key to her journal. I'm just not sure about the vine."
"Could I see it?" George asked, indicating the journal.
Nancy handed the diary over. George took the journal from Nancy and examined the lock. "Nan, don't you have a necklace like this?" she asked, pointing to the design on the lock.
Nancy looked at the lock carefully. On the underside was a deep red stone in the shape of a heart. A single vine of roses twined around the heart as if embracing it. Nancy gasped when she recognized the design.
"That looks like the same design as the necklace dad gave mom."
"Do you still have it?" Frank asked.
"It's at home."
"Then let's go get it." Gabriel suggested as he stood up. The others followed suit.
The group made their way to the door. George led the way down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairway she paused. Quietly she motioned for the others to listen. In the silence a faint banging noise could be heard. George and the others cautiously moved toward the sound, watchful for any intruders.
"The house seems empty." Bess whispered as the group moved through the rooms.
"But what is causing that noise?" Joe pointed out. "Someone had to be here."
"I vote for getting out of here." Frank spoke up. "Whoever was here must have left by now." Everyone agreed and continued to make their way to the door. But when they reached the front door it was swinging in the breeze.
"I guess we know where the banging was coming from." Gabriel said. "But who was here, and why did he leave the door open?"
"Good question." Nancy replied as she grabbed the door. "However I wouldn't advise standing around here to discuss the possible answers. Let's get back to my house and get the key for this journal."
Frank parked the car in front of Nancy's house. Gabriel pulled in behind him. Everyone climbed out and followed Nancy onto her front porch. Nancy tried the front door but it was locked.
"Hannah must be out." Nancy guessed as she reached in her pocket for her key. She opened the door and led the way inside.
"The necklace is kept in a safe in my dad's office. I'll go get it."
The others waited in the kitchen while Nancy was gone. Bess grabbed everyone a cold drink and sat down. She was just about to take a sip of her drink when Nancy rushed into the room.
"My room's been ransacked!"
I know everyone wanted to know what the journal said. I promise the next chapter will be about the secrets in the journal. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.