The Golden Watch No One Was Supposed to Open

Chapter 2: The Letter in the Boy's Coat

Henry moved Noah behind him before the man could take another step.

The jewelry shop was small, but Henry knew every corner of it. He knew which drawer held the alarm button, which display case had loose hinges, and which heavy silver candlestick on the counter could become a weapon if an old man had no other choice.

The stranger noticed his hand drifting toward the drawer.

"I would not do that," he said.

Henry kept his eyes on him. "You still haven't told me who you are."

The man sighed, as if disappointed by the inconvenience. "My name is Victor Voss. I was asked to retrieve the boy and the watch."

"By his mother?"

"By people who know what is best for him."

Noah gripped the back of Henry's coat. "He came to our apartment yesterday. Mom locked the door. He said if she didn't give him the watch, the medicine would stop."

Henry felt rage move through him, slow but hot.

Voss's expression hardened. "The child misunderstands adult matters."

"Children understand threats very well," Henry said.

Noah suddenly tugged Henry's coat. "Mom gave me something else."

Voss's eyes sharpened.

Noah reached into the lining of his torn jacket and pulled out a folded paper. It had been hidden carefully, stitched into the fabric with uneven thread.

Voss lunged.

Henry grabbed the candlestick and swung.

It struck Voss's wrist hard enough to make him curse. Noah ducked behind the counter as Henry snatched the letter from the boy's hand.

Voss recovered quickly, but the bell above the door rang again.

A police officer stepped inside.

Henry had pressed the silent alarm after all.

Voss's face changed instantly. The danger vanished beneath calm manners.

"Officer," he said, "thank goodness. This elderly gentleman is keeping a child from his legal guardian."

Henry opened the letter before anyone could stop him.

The handwriting was weak.

But he knew it.

Father, if this reaches you, I am alive. I was told you rejected me. I believed it for years. Daniel is dead. Noah is my son. The people from Harrow House are coming for him. Do not trust Victor Voss.

Henry's eyes blurred.

Alive.

Emily was alive.

The officer moved toward Voss. "Sir, I think you should stay where you are."

Voss smiled faintly.

Then he looked directly at Noah.

"You should have listened to your mother," he said. "Now she will pay for this."

Before the officer could grab him, smoke burst from a small device in Voss's hand.

The shop filled with gray fog.

Henry coughed, reaching blindly for Noah.

But when the smoke cleared, Voss was gone.

And so was the golden watch.

Only Noah remained, shaking behind the counter, clutching one torn piece of paper that had fallen from Voss's pocket.

On it was an address.

Harrow House.