Later that night, Charles was at his balcony, leaning on the balcony rails when he suddenly remembered there was a particular key to a safe deposit box he had retrieved from the Lincolns’ house. He needed to know what exactly his mother had kept for him there. But he was hoping deep inside that his father had not messed with it, because he would have no idea what to search for, or where to search for it as he didn’t find anything else in their house which was relating to him. Charles went back into his room, and laid on his bed, ready to sleep just so he could wake early enough to get things done. Whatever the outcome of his outing tomorrow would be, would determine if he was going to acknowledge the schedules he had once cancelled. “Mother, you don’t have to worry. If I have to swim the greatest ocean, just to retrieve all you prepared for me, I would.” Charles determined in his heart. The next morning, he rose to his feet, and had his bath. As soon as he was done having his bath, he headed out of the house, and his driver drove him off to the address of the institution in charge of keeping his possession. On getting there, he got down from the car, and exhaled, then adjusted his suit before going in to the institution. The moment he walked in, he spotted the reception and then asked to be taken to the vault where they had kept his property. “This way, sir.” One of the receptionists said, then led him to a guard who was in charge of taking customers to their vault. “Good day, sir. Please follow me.” The guard urged, and Charles followed him silently, taking a look at the different corners they passed through before they got to his vault. Charles stared at the locker and confirmed that the number matched with the number that was also inscribed on the key. Then the guard opened the first lock with the personal key for the locker, from the institution. As the first lock opened, Charles opened the second one with the key which was with him. As the locker clicked open, he opened the little door, and found the locker empty. “What? How can it be empty?” Charles muttered out in annoyance. Then he turned to the guard. “Take me to the manager. I need to see him right now.” Charles demanded, and the guard bowed a little, acknowledging his request. But before he closed the locker space back, he noticed a note placed inside, but at the wall of the locker space. Then he reached his hand into the locker space and brought out the note only to see an address written on it. It was obvious that the note had been there for quite some time, but Charles was still pretty annoyed as he didn’t know what this address could do for him. The guard led him out of the vault, and then when they were back to the ground floor, they took an elevator up to the manager’s office floor. “Wow. Mr. Lincoln, it’s surprising to see you here. Do you perhaps have interest in acquiring a secure locker space here at our institution?” The manager asked as he welcomed Charles in and offered him a seat. “I already have one, and that’s why I demanded to see you.” “Wow. I had no idea. I guess you’ve had it way before now, and probably you had someone work it out for you.” “Actually, my mother did. I came to claim whatever she left there, for me, but it’s empty. How’s that possible?” “Please calm down, Mr. Lincoln. It’s possible your mother had it removed before she passed the key down to you.” The manager uttered, trying to calm Charles down. “Look into it, please. This key has not been in my mother’s possession in a long time, and I can assure you she didn’t remove it.” “Alright then. Please have your seat while I check a few records.” The manager urged, and began to do as he said. He called his secretary to get a few past records concerning Charles’ vault, and when they were all searched through, the manager got back to Charles who was waiting patiently. “Actually, Mr. Lincoln, three keys were made for your locker space. One which is held by the institution, one which is with you, and the other was kept with another person whom your mother trusted.” “Who? My father?” Charles questioned, feeling rage build up inside of him. “No, Mr. Lincoln. The other key was left in the hands of your mother’s lawyer in case of a time of emergency.” “So, are you implying that my mother’s lawyer already stole what’s mine?” “No, that’s not what happened. I recall, about twelve years ago. Your mother’s lawyer came to meet me to speak to me about he taking the property from the locker space as he feels it’s no longer safe.” “That’s about a few years after my mother’s death.” Charles said, in his mind. “Usually, the third party can choose to inform us that he or she has retrieved the property, or not. He informed the institution, and for him to have done that, he certainly had good intentions.” The manager spoke. “Could that be the reason he dropped a note for me? To find him?” Charles thought to himself. “Alright then. He left a note for me, so I guess I can track him from there.” “That’s much better.” “But did anyone apart from him come to check the locker space?” Charles asked, out of curiosity. “Uhm… Regarding that…” The manager cleared his throat, looking a bit nervous. “No… no, sir.” Charles knew right there that some corruption had occurred, but that wasn’t his concern anymore as long as his mother’s lawyer was in possession of the property which his mother left in the locker space. When he got out of the institution, before he got into his car, he put a call through to Vera. “Clear my schedule for the week. I won’t be available for a while.” He instructed her.