The Secret Is She: A Woman’s Solve of NYC’s Greatest Treasure Hunt

Evelyn Jack
Apr 14
2 min read

Updated: Apr 22

Intro:

In September 2024, while watching Expedition Unknown with my husband, The Dread Pirate Wesley, aka "Dreadly", I was introduced to something that would change everything. Josh Gates was interviewing Byron Preiss’ daughters about the mysterious New York puzzle from The Secret. When Painting 12 appeared on the screen, I felt an undeniable jolt of recognition—something wasn’t right.

That wasn’t the Statue of Liberty everyone assumed it to be.

I ordered the book that same night. One week later, after immersing myself in verse and visuals, I solved it. A quiet spark of clarity lit up my spirit. I knew I was right—not just logically, but intuitively. What I saw in that painting was a tribute not to a monument but to two extraordinary women.

The figure is a composite of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and her daughter, Abby Rockefeller Mauzé—mother and daughter, founders of two hidden treasures of Manhattan. The puzzle begins at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), created by the mother, and ends at Greenacre Park, a sanctuary gifted to the city by the daughter.

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A Tribute Hidden in Paint and Verse

Most treasure hunters focus on the men—famous figures, historical landmarks, and symbols of masculinity. But I didn’t chase the usual.

I followed the women.

Verse 10 and Painting 12 are layered with poetic femininity—elegant, powerful, and quiet in their strength. Abby and Abby are the heartbeat of this puzzle, and until now, no one has seen them.

This isn’t just solving a mystery—it’s a revelation. A loving tribute hidden in plain sight, from a husband and father to the women who shaped his world.

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The Hunt: Spring 2025

We flew to New York City in April 2025, just as Greenacre Park reopened for the season. I had to wait out the winter, knowing the ground was too frozen to dig. But the moment it thawed, we were there.

I walked the verse line by line, confirming what I knew deep down. Every clue aligned—from MoMA’s modern grey edges to the whispered rush of Greenacre’s hidden waterfall. I dug. I searched. And though I didn’t unearth the casque, I found something just as valuable:

Proof.

The puzzle leads here. The symbolism, the geography, the legacy—it all fits.

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The Video

This 7-minute video documents everything. I guide you through every step—each poetic reference, each symbolic detail, every realization that led to this female-centric solution.

"Dreadly" stood behind the camera, but more importantly, he stood behind me in every way that mattered. His belief in my vision gave this journey the fuel it needed.

We may not have found the casque, but the truth? That’s been uncovered. I will include my "secret proof" in the email when I submit this video for consideration.

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Conclusion

This wasn’t just a treasure hunt. It was a reclamation. A reimagining of how we solve, who we put in the center, and what we believe.

I trusted my voice. I followed intuition and insight. I looked where no one else was looking—into the stories of the women behind the puzzle. And I’m proud of what I found.

To my husband—thank you, "Dreadly". For holding the camera and holding space for me.