The Lakeside Inn, Leeanna Morgan [rosie project TXT] 📗

the bed. He’d spoken to Penny and healed a little of the hurt he’d created. Now all he had to do was figure out what to do next.

Penny and her sisters gathered around her laptop in the dining room. They were on a conference call with Chloe Anders, the woman who had taken the letter back to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D. C.

Chloe had given them some background information about the people analyzing the letter and where they were up to in their investigation.

Penny found the whole experience fascinating. She hadn’t realized how much work was involved in authenticating items people found.

“So, what you’re saying”—Barbara said as she looked up from the notes she was taking—“is that you’ve completed some aspects of the analysis but not everything?”

“That’s correct,” Chloe replied. “A full statistical, historical, and scientific analysis will take months to complete. The only thing I can do at this stage is give you an update on whether our staff think the letter could be authentic.”

Penny glanced at her sisters. They were all waiting to hear what Chloe would say.

“So far, our investigation looks promising. In order to complete a statistical analysis, we compare the document we’ve been given to other verified documents. In your case, to letters and journals we know Abraham Lincoln wrote. We also do a stylistic analysis and look at the purpose of the item, in this case the letter.”

Barbara leaned forward. “How did our letter compare to the others you looked at?”

“It compared very well. So far, our forensic team has been unable to detect any forgery. That’s a very good sign. The composition of the ink is consistent with what would have been used at the time the letter was written. The paper is consistent with other paper used by Abraham Lincoln in his correspondence. We still need to complete a variety of scientific procedures but, overall, the team is very excited about what you’ve found.”

Penny grinned. “I can’t believe it.”

Katie high-fived Diana. “This is amazing. Who would have thought there would be a letter written by Abraham Lincoln in a dresser our great-grandparents owned?”

Chloe’s voice came through the speaker. “This is probably a good time to ask if we can examine the dresser and everything in your great-grandmother’s chest. It won’t make any difference to the authenticity of the letter, but it may give us a greater understanding of how the letter ended up in Montana.”

Penny looked at her sisters. Each of them nodded. “When you’re ready,” she said to Chloe, “we would be happy to send the dresser and chest to you.”

“That would be marvelous. We won’t need them for a few months. I’ll talk our transportation team and ask them to contact you when we’re ready for them. I’m sure you realize this but, if the letter is authentic, it’s not only worth a lot of money, it will have significant historical value. Have you thought about what you’ll do with the letter if Abraham Lincoln wrote it?”

Diana spoke into the microphone. “We’re still thinking about it. If it’s real, we won’t keep it here. We don’t have the security we’d need to keep it safe.”

“I’m going to do a little PR for the Smithsonian now.”

Penny heard the smile in Chloe’s voice. Even though they’d only met once, she seemed like a nice person.

“We have a program whereby you lend the Institute the item for a specified period. In return, we provide world-class archival storage and security for the letter. Although it would be kept at the Smithsonian Institute, your family would still own the letter. Another option is to sell it. If that’s your preference, I can recommend some good auction houses that specialize in historical documents. And finally, you could lend it to other museums.”

Penny didn’t know about her sisters, but the thought of selling the letter didn’t sit well with her.

“Could you send us some information about the different options?” Barbara asked. “That way, we’ll have a better idea of what’s involved before making a decision.”

“Of course, I can,” Chloe said. “If it makes it any easier, I’m happy to fly back to Sapphire Bay and speak with you in person. If you have more questions or need clarification about anything, I’m here to help.”

Even though Chloe worked for the Smithsonian, Penny appreciated her advice. If the letter was authentic, it was far too precious to have its future decided by people who didn’t know the best way of looking after it.

Barbara looked at her sisters. “Does anyone have any more questions for Chloe?”

Diana nodded. “How long do you think it will take to do the full analysis of the letter?”

“At a rough guess, I’d say another three to four months. The letter isn’t the only one our team is analyzing. But it’s the most exciting document they’ve seen in a long time. There are many scientists and historians who are incredibly excited and humbled to see the letter.”

Goose bumps rose along Penny’s arm. “We were just as excited when we found it. Thanks for taking the time to speak to us today.”

“That’s more than okay. Remember to call me if you have any questions.”

After each of them said goodbye, Barbara ended the call. “Well,” she said. “That was interesting.”

“They think it’s authentic,” Kate said with barely concealed excitement. “Mom and Dad will be thrilled.”

Diana grinned. “I can’t believe we held the same letter Abraham Lincoln wrote. It gives me the chills just thinking about it.”

Penny checked her emails for the information Chloe was sending through. As if reading her mind, the message appeared in her inbox. “It’s wonderful to know the experts are excited. That has to be a good sign.”

“Especially when they would have seen their fair share of forgeries,” Barbara said as she closed her notebook. “If the letter is real, what do you want to do with it?”

“Photocopy it and put it on my wall,” Katie said wistfully. “The Gettysburg Address is one of the most important speeches ever delivered by