Page 91 of The Last Morgan

In the abandoned records room, papers were scattered across the floor like leaves in Autumn. Barnaby’s scanner pinged again, pointing to a collapsed shelving unit.

Lucy knelt and carefully pulled back the debris. There, taped to the inside of an old filing cabinet drawer, was another envelope.

A second coin.

This one was etched with a delicate rose.

Lucy’s breath caught in her throat.

“My mum’s favorite flower," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "She used to keep a rose garden in our backyard."

Byron said nothing — just stepped closer, his hand brushing lightly against the small of her back, offering silent support.

Barnaby scanned the coin quickly. "Same structure," he said. "Definitely another piece of the key."

Lucy tucked it away with the first coin, her heart pounding harder with every step they took toward the truth.

Their final destination loomed ahead: the abandoned luxury hotel her father had sunk everything into before he died.

The building looked as if it was grieving itself, its grand facade cracked and crumbling, its windows like dark, hollow eyes.

Lucy stood staring at the building for a long moment watching Barnaby practically dance up the front steps, his scanner held high.

Inside, the hotel was a ruin. Dust coated the grand staircase, and broken furniture lay strewn across the marble floors.

"This way," Barnaby said, following the beeps.

Behind the old reception desk, tucked into a ventilation hole, Lucy found the third envelope.

Inside was the final coin.

This one was different — not a flower or an emblem, but a small, simple engraving of a key and a string of numbers.

Barnaby scanned it eagerly. "Coordinates," he said, eyes gleaming.

Lucy traced the engraving with her thumb.

"Coordinates to the next piece," Barnaby murmured.

Byron reached out and gently tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

"You’re doing good, princess," he said.

Lucy laughed softly. "You’re going to make me cry, and I don’t cry, remember?"

He smirked. "I’ve seen you cry. In your sleep."

She smacked his arm lightly, and he caught her hand, pressing a quick, heated kiss to her knuckles before letting go.

Barnaby was oblivious to their exchange, too busy uploading the coordinates into his laptop.

"Let’s get back," he said, snapping the moment.

As they headed back, Barnaby chattered excitedly in the back seat, while Byron kept glancing at Lucy as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

Lucy leaned her head back against the seat, smiling softly to herself.

The first pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place.