"Could Richard Caldwell have access to those records?" she asked.
Daniel hesitated.
"Possibly. If his museum acquired the financier's collection, it may also have received related documents."
Victoria looked toward the doorway.
"Then we need to contact him."
Margaret shook her head.
"Not yet."
"Why not?"
"Because if he has something to hide, warning him will only give him time to prepare."
Daniel Foster nodded in agreement.
"We should authenticate the documents first. Once we know precisely what we have, we can decide how to proceed."
Leonard continued examining the box.
At the bottom lay a smaller envelope sealed with dark red wax. Unlike the other papers, it had no address, only the words For Margaret, if the truth survives.
Margaret stared at it.
Her father had been dead for decades when the envelope was apparently placed in the box. Yet the handwriting looked exactly like his.
She reached toward it, then stopped.
"What if it contains something important?" Victoria asked.
Margaret swallowed.
"Everything in this box is important."
Daniel Foster photographed the envelope before carefully breaking the seal.
Inside was a handwritten letter and a small folded sheet containing a sequence of numbers. The letter was dated several months before the fire.
My dearest Maggie,
If you are reading this, then someone has finally found the records I was unable to protect. I do not know whether I will have the opportunity to explain everything to you, but I want you to remember that a person's worth is not determined by what others say about them.
The Star of Aurelia was entrusted to me for restoration. I never sold it, and I never gave anyone permission to take it. The document bearing my signature is false.
I believe Arthur Harrington acted under the instruction of another man. I have evidence that the agreement was never completed, but I fear that the people involved will destroy whatever remains if they discover what I know.
The truth is hidden where the light enters at noon. The numbers I have left will help you recognize what belongs to us.
Never allow anger to become the only thing that guides you. Find the evidence, protect it, and let the truth speak.
Your loving father,
Daniel.
Margaret pressed the letter against her chest.
For several moments, she could not speak.
The others remained silent, giving her time to absorb the words.
She had spent most of her life wondering whether her father had died believing that she might one day clear his name. Now she knew that he had left her a message, trusting that the evidence would eventually reach someone who could understand it.
"He knew," she whispered. "He knew there was still a chance."
Victoria reached across the table and placed a hand over Margaret's.
"I am sorry."
Margaret looked at her.
"Your apology cannot restore the years he lost."
"I know."
"But what you do now may prevent the same thing from happening again."
Victoria nodded.
"I will help you."