The news about the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ0wPCRphx
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJoKlGmvui
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LYwVHo3Ld
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdvBaK4gDi
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc4DJNbZOL
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx407Eb3eu
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO41gYP3DM2
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZLBpS4xOc
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySZx1HJcNX
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73sMgAuOW3
There was more to it 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOJDDVbkEy
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptBv6ZM07D
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzGpHowNqT
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtWXhH1Gy6
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd8PHmLhp6
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LxbPQoihe
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhaPbEQnwq
except from a few individuals. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCLEiVdoyo
And apparently, one of 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZzoQ0oQVj
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS2O5rRuJI
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYELKwqq4X
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsvhEbufxL
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPcVDL81Hc
really going on, all hell would break loose.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZUleEyy1B
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqlQdEUka9
Rhénee dropped the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1iXLhXt08
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeajkpNTKC
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQlYSCU06z
ear, she took a sip of coffee.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrsaZGgGS8
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglJTIlc1sd
"Ya, its crazy here," 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfgdfPUJwo
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U7nLYz9XI
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRccYsVJNpU
broken in."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxx464NeVK
"If only they knew."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDo5jnl0G9
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbPmQ6IsaL
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx5Dvslbx1
"She did. I had to make 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EWrGyFdtp
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjipy1v4S4q
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq5oBAxmlP
"I doubt if she believed that."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnYCgTmVCV
"Haha, looks like you 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCR536Hxun
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVYFM63LrD
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN0ixXdstc
"True. But we did. I 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjr5QtkbTn
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9pn57YYPL
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4NXVK9O1F
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLInmamkxHq
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2qyMy48gH
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB8PDHbBv4
"Okay, bye."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vxaYPPcIS
"Bye."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUthyuWDhj
Rhénee cuts the call and899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV2gwdyN8D
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BYNntX2p5
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl6wskAg1O
wink last night.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK8UJKECvN
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSAR4kz8sB
"I wasn't going to 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QON1Gq3nK
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ws8llYVcV
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUyBe52YAE
"You don't have to 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlLaqFvHdN
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrlSy0ZWf5
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMU7bctGoB
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlt22wm2jb
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2ZrDxW9Na
"Why Malcom?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0bxZzxrK7
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ212BcaBRBD
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwqNtyt0ok
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpDItHaWe9
"Alright, you go ahead."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj7B5UTj2T
Miss Griselda gave 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uAbaOSKWj
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRm7lYP3rH
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPjCDQny4v
did when they talked about Malcom. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUtFHvLg4c
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEtOSsA6IU
The sound of her phone 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqT9MHlsoh
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYjVJe9ulK
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQWLyTJGdK
mother.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgc7ty1Jdu
"Hello?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN9NuT8g7w
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjp0tPubIi
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzJtrn47Aw
That voice. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5snzgmzP4h
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthqhkuM8PM
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvj6v1LsxP
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqw9aKAC1v
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijl03vyvo6
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISWH6Ap53G
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7qTy0dthr
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZEcnsUFU0
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25AkT2jnDm
"You don't know me, 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR2RmKfp7D
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWlHzqINI6
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAQLfNX0H3
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXHLvS78nF
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mr3grlfIU
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp5mjzVzI3
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCOlE0kNOM
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HfhBP6WCX
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdy39EcbUV
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBpr8QDt9T
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg2WhYZoCd
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPv9xXxK5v
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A2XqnLbNq
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzjgPUb2zy
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwm8kWSRwB
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwn6oy7j8q
"Oh, and by the way, 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAgsmagwlJ
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ355MBJihIF
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfKOdKT7Y5
this time around."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgajPYWfvI
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75ZTeVdjFQ
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEmITIATHy
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZCaf0D1Y7
Rhénee sat down on the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSUlNjNEmQ
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoHGwIp6Ea
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm9oCBraQT
the others, who know what might happen. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCMbZjcLI4
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5esaXZpR1z
***899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mZd28XhZU
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU12rgehprQ
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQxeXaHJXT
"But she isn't hurt right?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULLZtIzZ3i
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7N6oiKAur
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTKh24mWNH
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs3YsKe5iv
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkbbVhwf9D
"Nah.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqY28cFPUn
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTq6AAOPRA
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FZGRXKz5e
"Thats899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDVuO3jBTY
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARbiNp4q5x
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzroS5PqOBj
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGHjnPVYrj
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOkxruWfWZ
"Alright."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMJ7IPDPSU
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSehhHfUQw
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE5YCCgJgR
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMtYVItFEN
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwBObC4nCF
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr4zzG1AxK
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7knDGIjLN
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu5SluVCYK
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBpE7SR4hH
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIBoIjcL86
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WwW4Wi0BW
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQd6dFaFgG
"Does it bother you?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAQiSo06wr
"Um... not really. But.... um."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5NOW8Mbju
Eugene899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WSi4SwRJd
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt8YWYxur2
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAygKSbHYCH
"Mum, are you okay?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkCO7TD6fl
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytM9XTNAzU
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBCpK6lMh0
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiSBjrFEXQ
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuj9SLUTQP
Mrs899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezekYHCEZl
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nx6n1lrPR
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08hrl59NFd
had talked about Rhénee?899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUyUxywhK8
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYULfNrC3GE
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR0bIC8kqS
***899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8oLZE9jtB
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqNe7IOdW4
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAHI2X6vkv
"You better rest though. You still look tired."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiba0muXFMx
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5X3iQmQNR
"No, I'll do it."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qzt51AoUw
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu1tXfVa2v
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKr1PdVnMU
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqzzS8Amvl
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs9q411uEl
Rhénee899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cKg3uBlFs
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0WeKefZ4B
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i65DbpcLY
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuvIkz76g3
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVyFAP8DqQ
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1CM8gOhXr
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tA5wi3Hz0
"Thank899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmsujq98sn
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PhD6GGQGJ
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8xYeTEMRg
"Well, yes. I still think I would."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcruFw8m4pa
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdeDs4PSMY
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F6NHJvwik
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgznbhimDOO
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5dIvkp8kS
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7cSPws1le
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yzkk9F3Pb
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZwhjSRwTA
"Coffee will be lovely."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGqou8C3py
Miss899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC9jpsBh97
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV0UU6Rqww
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoaHmBz2fB
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUIzQM0b6C
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Oz703XlA
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYASeNTk2v
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HDPJDXj0L
"What mysterious person?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4LREQRTos
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2yYh7e2tE
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnnamFHpEF
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbXcaFHNzw
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5OgXZQgKu
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uTHhNszrZ
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXFwpxLNjR
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1jE9OSkHB
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop2yEBSnxD
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHBa38VdhF
The899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPwRW4zzsv
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nyP5Sir7F
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs6CrhnDqf
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5G15guD3Q
of this.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTEZMNGbCK
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkYQmx5N7Y
"I...899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1s6uxNTkK
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZvZ11ARhu
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6vN1GpMoM
frustration. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCOcjx3H8Q
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9Am8eI49x
Rhénee899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFYIEbKsIi
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQstN3i1ofA
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPJcuIUuk8
cups on the tray and wondered. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW34lagvyzD
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAME7UvuigW
899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi64m8Ow63g
As899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLYwyHHlap
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n2A2Lk8wb
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRum6Okajp
reminder kept ringing in her head.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVExPWF3Z6c
"And tell your friends not to get involved."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q7HjNftBP
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ5BmpD8UA
"I899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc31RJ3LDpC
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sUxYrmn2B
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIzldOITQx
talking about, Rhénee?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIqiFiWnYj
Rhénee899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFjn61cpb1
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ141LEMjdZ7
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZShrIsDFN7
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlR6igUUEZ
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaHxZjaoVT
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jgRJ7fR6b
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfEAHFbF7T
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiBnFqSulc
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR92M2EgYmd
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZCDkj0SKG
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApqoPx75kj
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNNwiGVUrB
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGSR3F7LoF
***899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0O8VqCJpQ
Sweat899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY26MtJ8reM
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjoeK3hG8H
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlSGeQwyOc
the person waiting never likes to wait.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaRnmfhyAl
He899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5q6q8fXXO
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLqcSVfKfo
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZTyyrPJNT
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxf8eXACAT
second.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55cb0UGmgI
He899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YjHZNAwjz
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS1gkoOpf7
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qq8eeMgs6
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnp45vEGsA
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9VAoovhqc
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08sVFgVX56
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHhVMqd5V6
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8jFTj7kWz
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKTIjXzlKW
"You're late, again."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Lgq2WOamf
His899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxMy1kJQ0e
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwplEQQEQL
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY4RiIDJWw
lion door knob. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd3gLI0lZA
He899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKQOWl6JiO
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOojD8ucqzT
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrL37dTHmD
"What899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTREKJDPVG
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU5yZ2r7Kt
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGfG1wNPkP
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEe85UoAcI
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjIW1bJZEc
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw9FWfLYRr
A899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OL2mPPoq6
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIpHGBOdMw
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlPb64BhCf
as they had their backs towards the window.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu77m3rgLL
"You know we need him," said the tall man.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapEruT2KjG
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa85ENaTz8u
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqJqM8mO3F
The899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP7M5YFIpc
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hR1hHBWnk
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzcbawQLBT
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8302yBuH4
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXUB7ydbYo
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxUX9xPLWA
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZS1geuB0xi
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQpfi5XZmT
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc72kYnl94V
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6HVpVN16Z
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9SaCMQzV4
"What if she reveals the truth?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA04MlEiqZu
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZaST3IThI
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJHdMqYIX9
For a moment, silence hung over them.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5qvPHAVNp
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzVTvlfRLm
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tg7leYqB4
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OcymBvGni
"I899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKsQYXrmru
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKBSydc8II
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAIj6cIF3j
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa15XCy6aP
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyH9vjXH9s
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rV4BRuu5T
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJS7gt2yYR
***899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LpgyWEOCm
The899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydF5fqzw9B
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqimWeWd2K
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYUbbY2vCm
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqbK7dMhwa
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CyPTNsdbf
they met, they seemed sky blue.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QkK8SUbcu
And899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhglgU5gq5r
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sZ3bB9GGV
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY9c0ZZyTQ
Rhénee899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMts9XX4o1
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdkojPp7yX
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi8Gl0ac9D
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YtzKK2Cmr
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVtsFTPyxW
coffee table in the middle.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijBk4850Ad
When899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrujx35aN2p
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmfquFV8OT
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoXUf3M2f9
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOy2GpT73X
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfPKKLxlms
"Are you sure?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulybR2Wlaw
"Yes, I'm positive."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZlxYR12Ct
Miss899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWhrOL28d3
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3Hz4JZJrw
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYGDP4WpNK
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnBTStview
from their cups.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8vVSnpiR2
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MEoklsLDC
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxpCKjhN9x
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj697YixMx
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCW2Edq8vn
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw1twed3ZX
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIA8Tfk5Nb
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNd13AGGC3
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFkuid64Yo
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRweb1Btum
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr1Cnz4jRC
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZuvCpaufI
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TgAyXluNP
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvZGopWh9l
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZkDnTEToa
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydGbKGaHIq
"Oh,899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ762mnA2g0S
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLzGu7ealz
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPgnim1F3A
who he is."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26tdzbdhxy
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv8N2rbkdn
Rhénee899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji2VEVMYB2
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAqyqEBdWD
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTl6JzjFg9
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2yO7d4qQx
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qpKGLTxWO
Rhénee899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBVxYstxaY
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq64AAvJ9ST
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjj8G5Wr1z
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjvxKVU7m4
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XxWECtaq4
"Fine,899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwBMLNBN0g
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhiUfV0Jms
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz6kWzuA84
or die if you stay by me."899Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBEerIyZim
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