Page 76 of The Last Morgan

"There’s an encrypted chip embedded in the cross. Something tiny enough to hide for years without ever being noticed."

Byron leaned forward, eyes narrowing.

"Encrypted with what?"

"Coordinates," Barnaby said, tapping the screen. "And a lock code. Without the necklace, you can’t open whatever safe, vault, or system it’s tied to."

Lucy stared at him, feeling the world tilt slightly.

"They didn’t just kill your family for money, Lucy," Barnaby said quietly.

"They were after something bigger. Something locked behind whatever this key unlocks."

Lucy swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay calm.

Corey reached over and squeezed her hand briefly.

Damien broke the heavy silence first.

"So we find what the necklace opens, and we finally find out who’s really at the center of all this." Lucy nodded slowly. "Exactly."

Barnaby leaned back, finally reaching for a croissant with a triumphant grin.

"You’re welcome, by the way." he said around a mouthful of pastry.

Corey laughed under his breath.

"Yeah, yeah, you’re a genius."

"We’ll throw you a party later."

Lucy sat back in her chair, fingers idly playing with the necklace at her throat.

Somehow, it felt heavier now.

Not just jewelry.

Not just a memory.

A key to everything.

And now — the real hunt was about to begin.

Barnaby looked up from his plate, lazily sipping on the last of his bubble tea.

He licked the crumbs from his fingers, then casually dropped a bomb into the middle of the peaceful breakfast:

"I still have one mystery left to solve."

Everyone froze mid-bite.

Corey’s head snapped up.

"What mystery?" he asked suspiciously.

Barnaby grinned mischievously, the devil himself in oversized hoodie form.

"Why Byron was sleeping in Lucy’s bed last night." Lucy choked on her coffee. Byron didn't even flinch — just calmly reached for another croissant.