Darwin and Eyrún sat quietly. After some time, Eyrún asked, “Do you want to see it?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” Richard said, grinning.

​

They stood, and Richard helped Darwin get his balance. Eyrún went ahead to turn on the portable lights in the vault. Darwin led Richard around the defensive walls and stopped next to Eyrún as Richard entered the vault.

​

“Good heavens,” said Richard, his wide eyes roaming the golden chamber.

​

Darwin chuckled at his usually verbose friend’s sudden economy of words.

​

“How much is in here?” Richard finally spoke again.

​

“I counted while we were locked in. About nine thousand bars—each weighing a kilogram,” said Eyrún, watching Richard’s mouth fall open and finished, “Four-hundred fifty million euros, give or take.”

​

“But that’s not the real prize. What you seek is over there," said Darwin, pointing to where they had replaced everything in their original positions.

​

Richard approached the platform along the back wall and paused to say a prayer before the statue of Mary and Jesus. Then he knelt, grunting as his large frame settled on the stone. He reached out both hands and slid apart the cabinet doors.

​

Darwin and Eyrún heard him take in a massive breath and shudder as he exhaled. Richard reached into the cabinet and grasped the cylinder’s edges. He cupped it reverently and bowed his head while lifting it out.

​

“Oh my.” His deep voice shook.