The Secret in the Guest House

Carter: What do you mean he gave you a riddle? Miss Vance, we don't have time for guessing games!

Margarethe: He told me, 'The year the family business started is the key to everything you will ever own.'

Carter: The company was founded in 1988, right?

Margarethe: That’s what the public website says, but my grandfather actually started the original trust in 1974.

Carter: We'll try both numbers if we have to. Quiet down, someone's coming out the side door.

The heavy oak door of the guest house swung open, and a burly man in a black tactical jacket stepped out onto the porch, looking around with a flashlight despite the afternoon light.

Security Officer: Who’s back there? Show yourself!

Margarethe: It’s my property, officer. You have no right to order me off this land.

Security Officer: Miss Vance, Mr. Julian gave strict instructions. No family members are permitted near the secondary structures today.

Margarethe: Mr. Julian is an officer of the board, not the sole owner of this land. Show me a judicial court order signed by a magistrate, or step aside.

Security Officer: I don't need a court order to keep trespassers away from private corporate records.

Carter: Stand down, Marcus. You know who I am, and you know who pays the security contractor invoices for this estate.

Security Officer: Carter? What are you doing with her? You know Julian terminated your guard contract an hour ago.

Carter: Julian doesn't have the authority to terminate a trust-funded security contract without a board vote, and you know it. Move out of the way before you make yourself an accessory to grand larceny.

The guard hesitated, lowering his flashlight slightly as he looked between Carter’s stern expression and Margarethe’s steady stance.

Security Officer: I’m just doing my job, Carter. I don't want to get dragged into a family lawsuit.

Margarethe: Then step aside and let me inspect my father’s private study. If you try to stop me, my divorce lawyer and estate attorney will have your private license revoked by tomorrow morning.

Security Officer: ...Five minutes. That’s all you get. If Julian comes back down this path, I’m telling him you forced your way in.

Margarethe: Fair enough.

They pushed past the guard and rushed into the dimly lit hallway of the guest house. The air inside smelled of dust and old leather, a sharp contrast to the ultra-modern main house.

Carter: Down these stairs, behind the wine storage rack. Hurry.

Margarethe: Is the safe behind a hidden panel?

Carter: Right behind the oak bookshelf. Help me push this panel aside.

Together, they heaved against the heavy wooden shelf, scraping it across the concrete floor to reveal a small reinforced steel door set directly into the foundation wall.

Margarethe: Here’s the keyhole. Hold the flashlight steady.

Carter: Try 1-9-7-4 first.

Margarethe inserted the silver key, turned it until it clicked softly, and then spun the four brass dials on the metal lock face: 1... 9... 7... 4. She grabbed the handle and pulled, but the heavy steel handle didn't budge.

Margarethe: It didn't open! The lock is still engaged!

Carter: Try 1-9-8-8! Quick, I hear footstep coming down the stairs!