He opened the lid carefully under the dome light.

I reached in and touched the cool metal of the Bronze Star.

The ribbon was slightly frayed at the edges.

Beneath the medal, the velvet lining was loose.

I noticed a small piece of blue thread sticking out from the seam at the bottom of the case.

It wasn’t part of the lining.

It looked like a pull tab.

I looked up at Deputy Miller.

“Can I?” I asked.

He nodded slowly. “Just don’t damage the frame.”

I took the tiny blue thread between my fingers and pulled gently.

The velvet floor of the presentation box lifted up.

Beneath it lay a small, silver-plated flash drive.

And next to the drive was a handwritten note in my father’s neat, military block printing.

My heart did a slow, heavy roll in my chest.

I leaned closer to read the ink, which was slightly faded.

*Maren,* the note read.

*If you are reading this, they have tried to take the land.*

*Don’t trust the broker.*

*Look at the coordinates on the drive.*

*The real inheritance isn’t the dirt.*