The ring inspector

The climb concluded upon the wide plane of the table. Before me rested a silver keyring, forgotten near a ceramic coaster. Its split steel coils overlapped in precise, concentric loops. I stepped forward slowly. Extending one gloved grip, I touched the cool, curved edge of the outer ring. It offered firm resistance against the polished wood, yielding only a faint metallic chime. A steady, well-crafted circle.