“I knew Judge Mercado would issue this quickly. The man doesn’t mess around,” Gavin said.

All heads turned as the door to the vault opened.

“Sorry, it just took us a little while to find this.” JT Dobson, the bank manager, held up his key. Val couldn’t help noticing the man looked no older than eighteen. He probably weighed all of 120 pounds, too, in his skinny pants and tight-fitting button-down shirt and tie. Val sized him up. Couldn’t have been much taller than about five foot five.

Val looked at the key JT produced and frowned. It didn’t resemble the one she had. But she was no expert on safe deposit box locks. Maybe the guard key is different than the personal key.

“The box will need both keys to open it. Each will fit in these locks.” JT pointed to the two key holes on either side of the box. He stuck his key in and turned.

Gavin tried the one Val had. It didn’t fit.

He tried again. It didn’t even go halfway into the lock. Val could feel her pulse pick up a few paces. Holy crap.

“Can I see that?” JT asked.

Gavin pulled the key out and handed it to JT.

After a quick inspection, JT said, “This is the wrong key.” JT handed it back to Gavin. “I’m sorry but this isn’t even a safe deposit box key.”

“If this doesn’t open that box, then what does it open?” Val snapped. She couldn’t believe it.

“Ma’am, I don’t have a clue. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” JT said. “Anyway, I have a locksmith service that we use. The guy usually comes within the hour. You have a warrant so we can go ahead with getting this open. Do you want me to call him?”

“JT, yes, please do,” Gavin said.

JT was true to his word. A locksmith showed up in less than an hour. While they waited, Gavin had pulled Val aside and whispered in her ear. “If I keep that key I have to give it to the Morgans. Can you hold on to it for another little while?”

Val stood back, stunned and then crossed her arms. “So, you want me to do something that’s not by the book,” she teased. “I can get fired for this. Plus, I have proper protocol to follow…”

Gavin pursed his lips. “There’s a difference between my not by the book and Jack Styles’ version.”

Val couldn’t help but smile to herself as she took the key and put it back in her pocket. It’s not often I get one up on Gavin.