Heidi Behrendt

   

   A desk—an Italian segreto—had also been delivered that morning. The friends had already done a complete search of its small drawers and nooks, but the search had come up empty.

   The one most pleased with the inheritance was Schrödi, their large orange cat, who had been napping upstairs. He sniffed around the desk and then jumped on it. Schrödi must have landed in just the right spot, and with the right force, because out popped a secret drawer like a well-oiled machine.  He immediately started cleaning himself, happy to have a new perch.

   The drawer contained a small leather journal fastened by an intricate knot. A business card was sticking out from the pages. Gwen pulled it out.

   “What is this?” she asked.

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