While Dressing My Late Husband for His Funeral, I Found Coordinates Hidden under His Hairline

The top drawer was locked when I pulled at it.

Had it ever been locked before?

I had given Thomas candy as a surprise on multiple occasions by hiding it in that drawer. On top of the desk, I had left grocery lists. I had passed it ten thousand times without giving it a second consideration.”Why would you lock this?”

There was only one way to know. I went back to his briefcase and took out the key I had previously discovered.

Had it ever been locked before?

After a few minutes, I opened the drawer by sliding the key into the lock.

An envelope moved forward.

It was empty when I lifted it. Nor were there any letters. I wasn’t shocked, exactly. Thomas consistently stated that digital files could be deleted and paper might be destroyed. It makes sense that he had the coordinates permanently inked on his body; what could be less reliable than that?

I felt around inside to find the key to the storage container.

I discovered the hidden compartment in this way.

I saw that the wood panel at the back was not flush with the frame. I found the edge with my fingers. It moved, exposing a tiny, concealed space that was perhaps four inches deep.

Before I reached inside, I looked at it for a long time.

I discovered the hidden compartment in this way.

I curled my fingers around a tiny, cold, hard object. I took it out.You are there.

I raised the key. It was imprinted with the number 317.