The old greenhouse stood behind the original Ashford mansion.
The estate had been divided and partially redeveloped over the years, but a section of the grounds remained abandoned.
Daniel advised me not to trespass or disturb anything that might be evidence.
Instead, he helped me identify the property owner and submit a formal request to inspect the area.
It took several days to receive a response.
Victoria's company controlled the land.
When I called her office, her assistant refused to schedule a visit.
I expected that.
What I didn't expect was a phone call from Victoria herself that evening.
"I understand you've been asking questions about the greenhouse," she said.
I gripped the phone.
"Why do you care?"
"Because the area is unsafe."
"Then let us inspect it with permission."
"No."
"Why not?"
Her voice became cold.
"Because your father spent years destroying this family with his accusations, and I will not let you repeat his mistakes."
I took a breath.
"If his accusations were false, why are you afraid of a greenhouse?"
She hung up.
The next morning, Daniel found an old survey map showing that the greenhouse sat on land once included in a disputed property transfer.
He also discovered that a small section of the foundation had been excluded from a later redevelopment plan.
It might have been an ordinary surveying error.
Or it might have been the reason my father left the message.
We applied for permission to examine the site through the appropriate legal process.
While we waited, my mother revealed another detail.
The night my father disappeared, he had returned home briefly.
He placed a small brass key inside the sugar jar.
Then he kissed me on the forehead and told my mother to keep us away from the Ashfords.
The next morning, the key was gone.
My mother had never seen it again.
I looked at the old photograph.
Somewhere on that estate, my father had left something behind.
And Victoria was determined to keep us from finding it.
Click here to continue reading: PART 6: The Key Hidden in a Box of Christmas Decorations
The Day a Millionaire Walked Into Our House
Part 5 of 20
