A loud clinking sound echoed through the high ceiling beams as the main central gear inside the sphere locked firmly into place. The brass rings stopped spinning entirely, lining up to reveal a hollow channel running down the center of the structure.
Mark entered through the double interior doors into the bright church hall, looking around cautiously as he walked toward the sphere.
Officer Miller: Marcus, what is happening to the base?
Marcus: The final weight just dropped into the bottom column.
Arthur took a step backward toward the main aisle, his arrogant composure beginning to crumble visible before them.
Arthur: This is ridiculous. I am calling my attorney immediately.
Officer Miller: You're staying right here, Arthur, until we figure out what is going on.
Arthur: You can't detain me, Officer! I haven't broken any laws!
Officer Miller: I am investigating potential evidence of an old federal banking crime.
Marcus reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small brass key shaped like a sunburst pattern. He inserted the key directly into the central hub where all six brass rings intersected near the middle.
He turned the key twice to the right, releasing a heavy spring catch inside the thick oak platform below.
The hardwood floor beneath the altar groaned as a hidden wooden panel shifted back two inches into the floorboards. Dust rose into the air, floating like tiny motes of gold in the bright afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows.
Marcus: My father told me before he died that the truth would reveal itself when the clock ran out.
Officer Miller: Where was your father all these years, Marcus?
Marcus: He was living two towns over under an assumed name, hiding from Arthur's men.
Arthur made a sudden move toward the double exit doors, swinging his heavy walking cane around blindly.
Arthur: Get out of my way!
Mark reacted instantly, stepping into Arthur's path and catching the silver head of the cane in his left hand. He twisted the stick away easily, pushing the elderly banker back onto one of the padded wooden pews.
Officer Miller: Sit down and stay quiet, Pendelton!
Arthur: You are making a huge mistake, Miller! My family controls this entire town!
Officer Miller: Not anymore, you don't.
Marcus knelt beside the opened floor panel, reaching his arm deep into the narrow square opening in the foundation. His fingers brushed against a heavy steel box wrapped in oilcloth to protect it from moisture and dirt.
He lifted the heavy box out carefully, placing it onto the top of the nearest wooden pew for Mark to see.
Marcus: This is what my father died trying to protect.
Officer Miller: Open it up, Marcus.
Marcus used the same sunburst key to unlock the brass padlock securing the front latch of the steel box.
Inside lay stacks of original legal documents, stamped with official state seals from thirty years prior. Right on top was the original land grant deed for the entire community church grounds and surrounding acreage.
Marcus: Look at the bottom signature line, Officer.
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