PAGE 6 — THE WOMAN IN THE PORTRAIT

Ruth went into the kitchen and locked the door.

She removed the brass key from beneath her clothing.

She had carried it around her neck for weeks.

Nobody knew.

She remembered Edward’s final words.

The second floor.

She went upstairs.

The blue room was empty.

She examined the walls.

Nothing.

Then she noticed something behind the large portrait hanging above the fireplace.

She moved it.

There was a tiny keyhole.

Ruth inserted the brass key.

Click.

A section of the wall opened.

Behind it was a narrow compartment.

Inside was a metal box.

Ruth opened it.

Documents.

Bank statements.

Letters.

Photographs.

And one envelope.

Her name was written on it.

Her hands trembled as she opened it.

Inside was a letter from Edward.

Ruth,

If you’re reading this, then I am either dead or being held somewhere.

I need you to know the truth.

You have served this family faithfully for twenty-two years. But I have lied to you.

Ruth continued reading.

The truth was worse than she had imagined.

The Whitmore fortune had never belonged entirely to Edward.

A portion of it belonged to Ruth’s family.

Her grandmother had worked for the Whitmores decades earlier.

She had been promised land and money.

Edward’s father had stolen it.

And Edward had discovered the truth years later.

He had spent his life trying to correct the injustice.

But someone had found out.

Someone didn’t want the money returned.

Ruth looked at the final page.

One sentence was underlined.

Nobody noticed the second key.

She stared at the words.

Then she heard footsteps behind her.

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