A son asked his mother to dig up his grave a year after his funeral. Everyone’s hair stood on end when she found…

She remembered the funeral vividly—the casket, the flowers, the mourners. She had watched as it was lowered into the ground. How could it be empty now? And if David wasn’t here, where was he? The letter, she said suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.

He said we’d find the truth here. But this—this isn’t the truth. This is just more questions.

Mark knelt beside the open casket, shining the flashlight inside. He ran his hand along the smooth satin lining, as if searching for some clue. Then he paused, his fingers brushing against something small and metallic.

Emily, look at this, he said, holding up the object. It was a key. A small, rusted key with a number etched into it.

Emily took it from him, turning it over in her hands. Her heart skipped a beat. What is this? she asked, her voice shaky.

Where did it come from? It was tucked into the lining of the casket, Mark replied. It’s like—like someone left it here for us to find. Emily’s mind raced.

A key. A number. It had to mean something.

But what? And who had left it there? Was it David? Or someone else? We need to figure out what this key opens, she said, her voice firm now. This is the clue David wanted us to find. It has to be.

Mark nodded, though he still looked uneasy. All right, but we can’t stay here. If someone finds us like this, we’re in serious trouble.

Let’s cover this up and get out of here. We’ll figure out the next step at home. Emily hesitated, her eyes lingering on the empty casket.

She felt a mix of emotions, fear, confusion, but also a glimmer of hope. If David wasn’t here, maybe he was still alive. Maybe this was his way of reaching out to her.

With a deep breath, she nodded. Okay, let’s go. Back at the house, Emily and Mark sat at the kitchen table, the key lying between them.

The number etched into it, 247, was clear, but its meaning was a mystery. Emily turned the key over and over in her hands, as if hoping it would suddenly reveal its secrets. It has to be a locker or a safe deposit box, Mark said, breaking the silence.

Something with a number like that, but where? And who does it belong to? Emily frowned, her mind racing. David never mentioned anything like this. He didn’t have a locker or a safe deposit box that I know of, but maybe it’s not his…