I looked around the room and saw nothing obvious. I told Jeanie to scan the floor. She found it after the third pass. Near the center of the floor was a hidden panel. I crept to its location and took off my gloves. I ran my fingers over the smooth stones and felt the subtle inconsistency. I pressed down and the secret panel slid aside. Another scan revealed the trap located at the bottom of the recessed safe. The small metallic chest rested at the bottom but if it were lifted up blades would be triggered and lop off the thief's hand, how biblical.

I examined the interior of the...