Greta gasped as she looked at her phone. She found many missed calls from her mother, not to mention texts as well, asking if she was still at Rhénee's house. She must be worried sick about us, Greta thought.167Please respect copyright.PENANA7JB5xwIuKu
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Her eyes flew to the back of Malcom’s head, and she wondered how she was going to tell him. Instead, she heard him say:167Please respect copyright.PENANAbA6Tfw95sd
167Please respect copyright.PENANA2PHWsqy6O9
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"What is it, Greta?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAhgqBmsfWQU
167Please respect copyright.PENANAabG6Tf9dUr
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Her mouth fell agape. "How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAu6AfNiruXb
167Please respect copyright.PENANAQviKJ1wcka
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"You're looking at your phone, and I can only imagine that our mother has been trying to get in contact with us."167Please respect copyright.PENANA1VQClCVGrU
167Please respect copyright.PENANAvpGpHDQa9n
167Please respect copyright.PENANAol0hWNl1WE
"Well, you guessed right."167Please respect copyright.PENANAOWjvULZm6f
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"Oh, dear," said Miss Griselda, who sat in between Rhénee and Greta in the backseat. "She must be worried sick. And what if anything had happened to you with the stunt that you pulled back there?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAZiSJHhjciU
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"We were going to figure something out," said Rhénee.167Please respect copyright.PENANAYmhwXtletz
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Miss Griselda scoffed. "You sound just like your grandmother."167Please respect copyright.PENANAX1dSn2GBU2
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow as she looked at Miss Griselda. The cat that sat on her lap raised its head.167Please respect copyright.PENANAoPloiqnm6k
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"Well, let's be grateful that everything worked according to plan," said Kevin.167Please respect copyright.PENANAYfdnehaAFp
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Miss Griselda didn't say anything as she folded her arms. Rhénee could only imagine how upset she is.167Please respect copyright.PENANAI5VzP4NkoC
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"You better give her a call, Greta," Malcom told his sister. "You come up with a lie that will convince her why you didn't pick up."167Please respect copyright.PENANAOZVyeYyoi3
167Please respect copyright.PENANAWQVEXFi9cJ
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"Really? My lies aren't that convincing, you know?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAf6FPdYqoSt
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"It was when you explained the reason why I had to have my shirt changed. Just do it, and quickly."167Please respect copyright.PENANAPHanzQ2Yft
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"Okay, okay. You're putting me under more pressure than she does."167Please respect copyright.PENANA9sIQuX0n8i
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Greta made a few taps on her phone and placed it close to her ear. The ringing tone came through, and immediately her mother picked up on the other end.167Please respect copyright.PENANA7dhowU8HAf
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"Hello, Greta?" Mrs. Derrand's hurried voice came through the speaker. "Thank goodness. I was really worried about you."167Please respect copyright.PENANAW92YkmZARp
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"I'm fine, mum. I had left the phone in the living room and went to Rhénee's room to check something out. You know, girl stuff."167Please respect copyright.PENANAmi73iTxYCA
167Please respect copyright.PENANAfrXfCo9G6Q
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"And what of your brother? I've been trying to reach him too."167Please respect copyright.PENANACdpc4X2nTB
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"Uh... I left him to check out the study. Rhénee must be with him now since we came down from her room together."167Please respect copyright.PENANAfg0GoeQhJO
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"I thought of the worst when you didn’t pick up my calls. I told you not to stay out too long."167Please respect copyright.PENANATNEhS8NH6A
167Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZZanMuc8H
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"We know. We got a little carried away. Sorry about that."167Please respect copyright.PENANAb67QwqjmMZ
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"Are you coming home now?"167Please respect copyright.PENANA0GntRFDjSm
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Greta noticed her brother raise his hand to grab her attention while at the same time shaking his head. It looks like he heard.167Please respect copyright.PENANACZeNu6yxCl
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"Uh, we were wondering if we could stay for a little longer. You know, just to keep Rhénee company. And plus, she's really fun to be around."167Please respect copyright.PENANAlckAFLEfrb
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Greta heard her mother mutter in frustration. "Fine. Will you want us to save your supper for when you return?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAwvD4IMMkSI
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"No, Miss Griselda already made us something, as she insisted that we stay for supper. I bet that's why we've taken so long."167Please respect copyright.PENANAVDJoXLUf8P
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"Alright. But be safe. I'll wait up for you."167Please respect copyright.PENANAbCypyVboQq
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"No, mum, you don't need to..." Greta heard the cracking sound on the line and knew her mother had hung up. She let out a sigh of relief.167Please respect copyright.PENANAt4P41lAegb
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"You see. You've become a very good liar in just one day," said Malcom.167Please respect copyright.PENANAwIxim26Xzr
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Greta rolled her eyes. "If only she knew what's really going on. Why can't we leave immediately after dropping off the others? Mum might start getting suspicious."167Please respect copyright.PENANAPdprr6RwQC
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"Have you already forgotten that we have someone in the trunk?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAsiRgyJj5Fr
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"There's someone in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.167Please respect copyright.PENANAHWpsPVMFv8
167Please respect copyright.PENANA5mzuPJHnMA
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"I didn't forget," said Kevin as he smiled at Malcom.167Please respect copyright.PENANAJjgdZbYzt2
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"Who's in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked as she gave Rhénee and Greta a stern look.167Please respect copyright.PENANAO8snMqHJnK
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"Don't ask me. Rhénee said that we take him with us," said Greta.167Please respect copyright.PENANAForOE86sPE
167Please respect copyright.PENANAXOeusr5n5d
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"He has the answers to who we faced on the bridge and why," said Rhénee. "Or do you mind telling us?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAVNiZNW2MkW
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"Me?" Miss Griselda asked, now looking cornered. "What makes you think I know?"167Please respect copyright.PENANArcnbZgZ5jN
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"Because the same people we met at the bridge are the same people who left the finger in your bathroom with that note and set up a trap for us at Mr. Cowell's place. Something tells me you know who they are."167Please respect copyright.PENANAYKTVVyW5XV
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"I don't know what you're talking about, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda. "I can assure you that I don't know who was at that bridge. The only person I knew there was Mr. Cowell."167Please respect copyright.PENANAh6Ol8FagMi
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"Then it's a good thing that we've got someone in the trunk who can help us."167Please respect copyright.PENANAIdTxBb3c9r
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"And where do you expect to keep him?" Miss Griselda asked, knowing fully well the answer to that question.167Please respect copyright.PENANA06hYaDF37j
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"Our basement, of course," Rhénee answered without a care in the world.167Please respect copyright.PENANAF0AwvhDu1g
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"If we do that, they might come to your place," said Kevin. "They will know we have him."167Please respect copyright.PENANACHxRAx08Vs
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"Well, why can't we just kill him after everything's done?" Greta asked.167Please respect copyright.PENANADSH2fMaf4b
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Miss Griselda shook her head. "You are all talking about killing like it's a game."167Please respect copyright.PENANAZFTwmCjaJo
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"They started it," said Rhénee. "I just want to know what's going on. And the man in the boot holds some answers."167Please respect copyright.PENANApJLUPVYkk1
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"And what if he doesn't give you what you want? What then?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAp2OFDA6G5Z
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That's a good question, and everyone knew that. They have to find a way to make him talk. But then the hard part follows. What will they do to him afterwards?167Please respect copyright.PENANAuzqq5G3Xx6
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"We'll figure it out," said Malcom. "Rhénee isn't alone in this."167Please respect copyright.PENANAGgCUVxHRx8
167Please respect copyright.PENANArcTTg2t1JC
167Please respect copyright.PENANA5x1SGZ7ARM
"You know, when Emelda told you to protect Rhénee, it didn't mean kidnapping people," Miss Griselda scorned.167Please respect copyright.PENANAeRBIyguCAa
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"Just like Rhénee put it, these people started it. And it's not like the late Emelda left us a list of people who might do Rhénee harm. I'll take care of the man in the trunk if that's okay with everyone."167Please respect copyright.PENANAkar4wClIE4
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"Malcom, you don't have to-" Rhénee started to say something but was quickly interrupted.167Please respect copyright.PENANA8aHixzChrm
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"Don't try and convince me, Rhénee." Malcom looked at her through the corner of his eye. "Besides, I owe you for earlier. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here."167Please respect copyright.PENANAW116iKa2qn
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Rhénee continued to look at Malcom and didn't know what to say. She felt terrible that she had to drag him into this mess.167Please respect copyright.PENANAq6ioEnJmOh
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She looked out the window, and it was then that she realized that they were finally approaching her house. They had all been arguing with Miss Griselda that she had lost track of where they were.167Please respect copyright.PENANAiZ20skkYJC
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"Home sweet home," she muttered to herself. She has had a long day.167Please respect copyright.PENANAWzzQoPcfyB
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Malcom drove the car to the front gate, and Kevin got out of the car to open it and got back into the car. The car drove to the front of the house, bypassing the fountain.167Please respect copyright.PENANAZBA0R9NL2Y
167Please respect copyright.PENANAvRf35Mw1yr
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Rhénee was the first to come out after Malcom killed the engine, and Miss Griselda followed after her. Greta and Kevin came out next. Rhénee had Sophie in her arms, and the cat jumped to the ground soon afterwards, heading to the front door of the house.167Please respect copyright.PENANAD1p5tdT9E6
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"Well, we need to get the man out," said Rhénee as she went to the trunk. Malcom had already opened it from inside the car.167Please respect copyright.PENANANWrcAsq4y3
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Kevin joined her, and when Rhénee opened it, the man still lay there. She checked to see if he was breathing. He still is.167Please respect copyright.PENANABhaB0nWfUR
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"Malcom and I will carry him into the house," said Kevin. "You can open the door for us."167Please respect copyright.PENANAR9LXywnz0R
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Rhénee gave him a nod and went towards the house. She found Sophie by the doorstep, looking eagerly up at the door as if waiting for someone to open it. Rhénee stopped as she noticed lights in the living room. Strange. She knows she left the place dark before leaving with Miss Griselda to Mr. Cowell's.167Please respect copyright.PENANAUxs7zeNXej
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She quickly pulled out her gun, tucked behind her trousers. The others behind her saw.167Please respect copyright.PENANAik5mPOgUkt
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"What is it, Rhénee?" Miss Griselda asked, sounding terrified.167Please respect copyright.PENANAEIGRxFNRsT
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167Please respect copyright.PENANAMACqGkRJja
"Stay here," Rhénee warned. "Someone is in the house."167Please respect copyright.PENANARJlZKO2id0
167Please respect copyright.PENANA2G19ReVL1I
167Please respect copyright.PENANAiHb0Gj3yPp
Miss Griselda gasped, and Greta, who stood close to her, held her shoulder. Malcom quickly came to join Rhénee, also pulling out his gun.167Please respect copyright.PENANALGndyUC5Ze
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"Are you sure someone is in there?" he asked.167Please respect copyright.PENANArRz65nte3R
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"We left the lights off when we left," Rhénee replied, staring blankly at the front door. "Someone is in there. I'm sure of it."167Please respect copyright.PENANAw8CH4pBAnf
167Please respect copyright.PENANAtr3l4PkF58
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"I'll lead the way."167Please respect copyright.PENANAwBYxFrgirP
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"No," Rhénee said, holding Malcom’s shoulder. "I'll go."167Please respect copyright.PENANAPeVKx6YWUw
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Before Malcom could protest, Rhénee silently and swiftly went for the front door, opening it without making much of a sound as she turned the door knob. She paused as she slowly opened the door to look into the foyer. Strange. She and Miss Griselda had left the door locked. The person in the house came in through the front. But how, and without breaking the door open?167Please respect copyright.PENANAC89kMZBiea
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She didn’t have time to think about that. Right now, she has whoever it is to take care of. Ask questions later. She swung the door open and silently stepped into the foyer, with Malcom coming in behind her.167Please respect copyright.PENANAsx07UixQN3
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The hall is partially dark, except for the lights coming in through the living room to their left. Rhénee turned to Malcom and pointed towards the open entrance to the living room. She leaned against the wall, and with her gun raised, she slowly and quietly walked. Malcom slowly came behind her. So far, they heard no movement coming from the living room, but they had to be careful.167Please respect copyright.PENANAxz6KADinqA
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As soon as they reached the entrance, they stopped. Rhénee turned to Malcom and jerked her head, signalling to him that she would go in first. Malcom didn't seem to like the idea, but in the position they were in, now wasn't the time to argue.167Please respect copyright.PENANAwr3bHNrBgS
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Rhénee took a deep breath and quickly swung herself with her arms outstretched, looking into the living room. Malcom was supposed to follow after her, but the expression on her face made him think otherwise.167Please respect copyright.PENANAT1IRSjCtVa
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"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked, still with her gun pointed at whoever it was in the room.167Please respect copyright.PENANARW3SDPXz10
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167Please respect copyright.PENANAhTpPOkGAhE
"Well, that's a nice way to greet your lawyer," said Mr. Sinclair, seated on one of the chairs with his arms folded and his leg crossed over the other.167Please respect copyright.PENANAyKu7ftucCl
167Please respect copyright.PENANAwAc0F8pVEN
167Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1EaSI0WXE
Malcom stepped out of the shadows and found Mr. Sinclair smiling at Rhénee. He didn't seem at all fazed that she was holding a gun and pointing it straight at him.167Please respect copyright.PENANAMwdgaw9y18
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"What are you doing here, Mr. Sinclair?" Malcom asked this time around.167Please respect copyright.PENANAcnCvrVaOjI
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167Please respect copyright.PENANAkxemoFHfYb
Sinclair looked at Malcom with an eyebrow raised. "I should be asking you the same question," he said. "Is your paranoid mother okay with you staying out so late?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAmoiqECw1HX
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Rhénee slowly dropped her arms. "You also have another set of keys to the house?" she asked.167Please respect copyright.PENANAE5LK25HJ8Y
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Sinclair smiled at her. "I do. I came to check up on you but found the place deserted. Tell me, did you guys go on some trip?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAZzxW5UAgk4
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Rhénee couldn’t help but feel there was sarcasm in his voice. It was then that she realized that there was another person in the corner of the room.167Please respect copyright.PENANARlMqFxFCgL
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"Who is he?" Rhénee asked, her eyes looking straight at the stranger.167Please respect copyright.PENANADhhFQOpGc9
167Please respect copyright.PENANAjCTb0ZPrsB
167Please respect copyright.PENANAdHM5jQpjKy
"A good friend of your late grandmother," Sinclair answered. "Please, bring the others in. They must be wondering what's going on."167Please respect copyright.PENANABwajBRjwiV
167Please respect copyright.PENANARkW7gmtXrE
167Please respect copyright.PENANAtZLyz2Ih1k
Malcom turned to Rhénee. She gave a nod without looking at him, and he quickly stepped out of the living room. Sophie had finally appeared in the living room, behind Rhénee, and went behind one of the sofas.167Please respect copyright.PENANARbNANZQuJa
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Sinclair and Rhénee continued to look at each other. He had an amused smile on his face, and she had a rather serious one. Rhénee couldn’t help but feel that after this encounter, their relationship was bound to take an unexpected turn.167Please respect copyright.PENANA92OEmkd6ub
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"You don't seem surprised that I'm holding a gun, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee.167Please respect copyright.PENANANrqfUMiIok
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Sinclair adjusted in his seat as he answered, "I'm not."167Please respect copyright.PENANA0RWdN2dP5R
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167Please respect copyright.PENANAdv2M4fuRGj
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows, showing her displeasure. What is he really doing here? she wondered. Rhénee knew it was more than just checking up on her. Could he have known what's been going on?167Please respect copyright.PENANABegwZl22bv
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"Are you serious?" Rhénee could hear Miss Griselda in the foyer, along with a set of footsteps.167Please respect copyright.PENANAF9Es4TRNR8
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"You can see for yourself," said Malcom.167Please respect copyright.PENANAB9ZoP3oo0Z
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167Please respect copyright.PENANAUiVkOpFrW7
Miss Griselda came into the living room with Greta beside her and gasped upon seeing Mr. Sinclair, who smiled at her. Her eyes soon turned to the person in the brown coat standing in the corner of the room. She looked at him as though she had seen a ghost.167Please respect copyright.PENANAi14vJE4UlK
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"Long time no see, Griselda," came the breathy voice of the man in the corner.167Please respect copyright.PENANAJ52pTaVp9w
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Rhénee turned to look at Miss Griselda. "You know him?" she asked.167Please respect copyright.PENANAPNQUTo2K2H
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"Yes," Miss Griselda answered as she briefly gave Rhénee a look before turning her eyes back to the man in the corner. "He was also a very good friend of your grandmother."167Please respect copyright.PENANAQ76jcwoZUi
167Please respect copyright.PENANA5u9Whk4e7P
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"So I've been told." Rhénee looked at Mr. Sinclair.167Please respect copyright.PENANA3PSyarl62M
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"Please sit down, all of you," said Mr. Sinclair.167Please respect copyright.PENANAISAoUDaL8F
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Miss Griselda and Greta looked at each other before complying. Kevin and Malcom, who still stood behind Rhénee, hesitated for a bit before making their way to the chairs. Rhénee, alongside the man in the corner, remained standing.167Please respect copyright.PENANA3AdxVfpYMf
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"Aren't you going to sit, Rhénee?" Sinclair asked.167Please respect copyright.PENANAjHOh7DBMeF
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"You already know what happened tonight, don't you?" Rhénee asked.167Please respect copyright.PENANA7wk7YBwA1h
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Those who were seated looked at Mr. Sinclair, looking a little surprised. Greta's mouth fell open.167Please respect copyright.PENANAXsC3wPrMtS
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"Of course," he answered, giving a curt nod of his head.167Please respect copyright.PENANA7xivbGwjZ4
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"That means you've always known what's been going on?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAroqkVLOQx6
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"I don't think so. It's why I'm here."167Please respect copyright.PENANAmhrRSUaIpu
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Rhénee wasn’t going to give Sinclair the satisfaction of looking confused. Tucking her gun away behind her trousers, she walked over to where Miss Griselda sat alongside Greta. Opposite them sat Malcom and Kevin. All eyes were on Sinclair as the room fell into a moment of silence.167Please respect copyright.PENANA6DkjHHTTPc
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Sinclair cleared his throat before asking, "Would anyone mind telling me where you all were?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAE7Lhyo3ZXf
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"We aren’t children for you to be asking us such a question," Rhénee pointed out.167Please respect copyright.PENANA81YvdBs1pq
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"No, you aren’t. But it’s now late, and I find it strange to find Greta, Kevin, and Malcom here."167Please respect copyright.PENANAsyG2NpcoQr
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Malcom is the first to speak after a moment of silence: "We were out in the woods."167Please respect copyright.PENANAd018ucxuWF
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Sinclair raised an eyebrow, but Rhénee could see right through him and sucked at her teeth loudly, grabbing everyone’s attention, including the man who stood in the corner.167Please respect copyright.PENANAOTM3QepcBJ
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"Rhénee, please calm down," said Miss Griselda as she laid a hand on Rhénee’s knee.167Please respect copyright.PENANAU362hEtpAq
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"Let’s stop all of this nonsense," said Rhénee, throwing daggers at Sinclair with her eyes, completely ignoring Miss Griselda. "Don’t try to act like a concerned guardian when you already know what’s going on."167Please respect copyright.PENANAlY8uVBJnwU
167Please respect copyright.PENANARaNHB6J2L7
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"As much as I am your lawyer—you might not like to hear this—I am responsible for you."167Please respect copyright.PENANAmxfAizjP6b
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"If you’re responsible for me, wouldn’t you at least have given me a heads-up before I came here that I was going to go through all this hell?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAJKzkzNnw1s
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Sinclair put up a smug smile. "What hell?"167Please respect copyright.PENANANgort0kzZa
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Rhénee did her best not to roll her eyes. "If you aren't going to act like the ‘concerned guardian,’ I’ll be leaving."167Please respect copyright.PENANAzG7iWjfzVR
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Rhénee stood, and before she could even turn around, Sinclair asked, "Then how many more people are you going to kill?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAwc6lWc001v
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"Then you do know," Rhénee said, throwing him a similar smug smile. "You do know who is doing this, don’t you?"167Please respect copyright.PENANA4fkN1k8ECQ
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"It depends."167Please respect copyright.PENANA0EXlBpq2BF
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"On what?" Rhénee folded her arms.167Please respect copyright.PENANA3k1isKxUA4
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"On you telling me why you were out in the woods and whatever has been going on."167Please respect copyright.PENANAaN8wCOeqZ4
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Rhénee scoffed, shaking her head. "You asked me how many more people I will have to kill. My answer is, until I get to the bottom of what’s going on. So until then, whoever points a gun at me or the people I care about will receive the same treatment."167Please respect copyright.PENANAzXOHNkjgx9
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Rhénee turned around, and before she could find herself in the hall, Sinclair muttered, "you’re just like your grandmother. Hold on, Rhénee."167Please respect copyright.PENANA459Pctc4p3
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Rhénee stopped. "Are we going to be serious about this or not?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAj6MRd37btV
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"I know there was a shootout by the bridge tonight that you and your whole crew here," Sinclair said, looking at the other three seated, "instigated. What I don’t know is what it was all about."167Please respect copyright.PENANAouYBQmYZJG
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"You know about that?" Greta asked, surprised.167Please respect copyright.PENANAqh3Q0vr1Z2
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"I have eyes and ears." Sinclair smiled at her.167Please respect copyright.PENANAEKzJhT0SUR
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"I’m guessing he told you." Kevin’s eyes flew to the man in the coat.167Please respect copyright.PENANAj19ZibeCHF
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"He just happened to be nearby when he heard the ruckus."167Please respect copyright.PENANASt0j695PGq
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"Wait, if he was there, how did he find himself here before us?" Rhénee asked.167Please respect copyright.PENANAhzmyGByDVQ
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"Trust me, I have no idea how he does his magic tricks. It’s annoying at first, but you’ll get used to it. He has stayed here long enough to know all the shortest routes possible."167Please respect copyright.PENANAyt4l8NGBhy
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Rhénee looked at the man in the corner, and she could feel his dark eyes on her. The heavy brown coat with its collar reaching up to his face and the hat over his head made his face impossible to see. There was no hiding that he’s African American. He also wore heavy black gumboots. Lucky for him, he didn’t leave dirt stains on the carpet. If he did, Miss Griselda was going to have a hard time cleaning them out.167Please respect copyright.PENANANklpSaY2Tc
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"So are you going to tell me why there was a shootout?" Sinclair asked, bringing Rhénee back from her thoughts.167Please respect copyright.PENANA5YLh7YfLV4
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"If we do, would you tell us why all this is happening and who is after me?" Rhénee asked, turning to face Sinclair.167Please respect copyright.PENANAWS1LAq0vvn
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"Yes, but only what I think is relevant. Now, would you kindly sit down?" Sinclair gestured to the empty space she had occupied earlier beside Miss Griselda.167Please respect copyright.PENANAfbZ4vsO7mR
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Rhénee clicked her tongue. Relevant isn’t good enough, but she knew this exchange of information might prove to be a little helpful. That is, if Sinclair complies.167Please respect copyright.PENANAyHOMhQqZo1
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She obliged slowly. As she went back to her seat, she felt uneasy. She now started to wonder what her lawyer could know. He was close to Emelda, and Rhénee felt he knew a lot more than she thought.167Please respect copyright.PENANAMqg8LN1Njl
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"So, anyone mind telling me?" Sinclair asked as he looked at each one seated.167Please respect copyright.PENANAEMXxlP6e5l
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Kevin went on to explain how he had passed by Mr. Cowell’s to check up on him since he didn’t show up for work. He also had to explain about the finger that they found in Miss Griselda’s bathroom and how they had thought it was Mr. Cowell’s. From there, Miss Griselda jumped in and explained the phone call she and Rhénee got from Kevin and how they got to Mr. Cowell’s house. As much as Rhénee didn’t want to pitch in, she explained what went on in the house and how she managed to take down the man they found there. She didn’t forget to mention that they still have him lying unconscious in the trunk. Sinclair couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.167Please respect copyright.PENANAeDiEbPQhlQ
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"I did it so that I could get the truth out of him," Rhénee pointed out when she noticed the look he gave her.167Please respect copyright.PENANA59DCOCEzBq
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"I’m not saying anything on that one," Sinclair said. "Please continue." Rhénee almost hissed at him.167Please respect copyright.PENANAmyEJZLAMlK
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Malcom and Greta took it from there, explaining what happened afterwards in the woods. Sinclair listened with a smile on his face. Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows as she felt he was taking all of this in for fun.167Please respect copyright.PENANAU4NnGZwYVd
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"We better take that man out of that trunk," Sinclair suggested.167Please respect copyright.PENANAKX70G0aPC3
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"I agree," said Miss Griselda. Rhénee couldn’t help but wonder why she answered so quickly.167Please respect copyright.PENANA00NnVd1FgU
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"Kevin, let's go get him," said Malcom.167Please respect copyright.PENANA2Q3AR3MXDx
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"Once you get him out of there, put him in this man's car," said Sinclair, pointing to the man in the corner.167Please respect copyright.PENANAAGyGwMSnVL
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"You came with a car?" Greta asked. "We saw no car in the driveway."167Please respect copyright.PENANAVhTY0RogRN
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"And why put him in his car?" Rhénee asked. "I need to question him first."167Please respect copyright.PENANAr3NdjdPnXi
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Sinclair turned to Greta and said, "to answer your question, I parked it outside the premises." Then he gave Rhénee a look. "I know that you need to question him."167Please respect copyright.PENANAfOX7TMeThI
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"Then why aren’t you letting me?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAYJdYKd40k6
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"Because you’ll be wasting your time, trust me," Sinclair said, turning to the man on his left. "You can do likewise."167Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZhwgRzTJL
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The man in the corner grunted in response and started to make his way out. Rhénee watched him go around the chairs to lead the way outside. Malcom and Kevin followed him.167Please respect copyright.PENANAvV2oPYgIgw
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"Aren’t you now going to tell me what’s going on?" Rhénee asked after the others had left.167Please respect copyright.PENANA1hdfTPC7o4
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"I will. But not now." Sinclair quickly stood from his seat as he adjusted the glasses on his face.167Please respect copyright.PENANAXLsUS1BFym
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"No fair," Rhénee quickly said, standing in front of him. "We had a deal."167Please respect copyright.PENANArf3ZjUSiQQ
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"A deal, yes. And I will deliver my part tomorrow."167Please respect copyright.PENANABRqjPp0DwA
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"No. I want you to say it right here and now."167Please respect copyright.PENANAdqVYNyIcH6
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Miss Griselda, with a worried look on her face, also stood and held Rhénee's shoulder. "Rhénee, calm down. Mr. Sinclair knows what he’s doing. Let’s wait for tomorrow."167Please respect copyright.PENANAiTvP9orJxJ
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"If you haven’t noticed, Rhénee, it’s pretty late, and your friends have to go back to their respective homes," said Sinclair. He turned to Greta. "I’m surprised your mother isn’t here yet."167Please respect copyright.PENANAIclrOMblBW
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"I called her and told her not to worry," Greta answered as she slowly stood, looking nervously at Sinclair.167Please respect copyright.PENANAFPQjhk5QJY
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"Good." He turned to Rhénee. "Don’t worry, I’ll keep my end of the bargain and tell you all you need to know. After hearing your story, something tells me you’ve been through a lot already."167Please respect copyright.PENANA1Bzw4Aby05
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Rhénee didn’t argue there. And the worst part is that even if they hadn’t told him what happened during the daytime, Rhénee had a funny feeling he already knew.167Please respect copyright.PENANAA3BtQSLVgC
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"What are you going to do to the man in the trunk?" Rhénee asked.167Please respect copyright.PENANA63QS3PgxqR
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"He’ll be well taken care of. I also have to question him."167Please respect copyright.PENANA80oQx6mlQX
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"And you think you’ll make him talk?"167Please respect copyright.PENANA7htkrWgkQN
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"The man I came with has mad skills at making people talk."167Please respect copyright.PENANAfAH46hZU2E
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"You aren’t talking to children, Mr. Sinclair." Rhénee folded her arms, annoyed. "Just say you’re going to torture him."167Please respect copyright.PENANAIQdSfL2nMu
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Sinclair smiled. "No, you aren’t kids. Doing what you did today proves that."167Please respect copyright.PENANAuvAPqwDYnB
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He started to make his way out of the living room when he stopped and said, "Oh, and we better talk about the cottage incident too."167Please respect copyright.PENANAc92NQ4ZoPv
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Miss Griselda and Greta looked like they were about to faint as they looked at Sinclair, who hadn't even turned to face them. Rhénee wasn’t moved in the slightest.167Please respect copyright.PENANAZRn96PPBR0
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Sinclair smiled and continued his way out of the house. He knew he didn't manage to impress or frighten Rhénee. Not when she was a lot like someone he knew.167Please respect copyright.PENANAZolIJQcYQb
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After Sinclair walked out through the front door, Rhénee turned to Greta.167Please respect copyright.PENANAMzEeQ3KbIs
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"I think it’s about time you and Malcom got back home," she said. "Your mum might have bought the story that you stayed here for too long, but we can’t make her more worried than she already is."167Please respect copyright.PENANAzPTHn0ry08
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"You’re right," said Greta. "But can I get a bite to eat first? I told her that we ate here, and after all that drama, I’m starving."167Please respect copyright.PENANAv44Lkwrbdw
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"Of course, we had something left over from supper and some apple pie," said Miss Griselda as she took hold of Greta’s arm and started to lead her to the kitchen. "You all must be hungry. Oh, Rhénee, tell the boys to come over to the kitchen once they get back. They’re probably hungry too."167Please respect copyright.PENANAGDK86KuGqo
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"Will do," said Rhénee.167Please respect copyright.PENANAxv5To120Cu
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Greta and Miss Griselda disappeared behind the door of the kitchen, while Rhénee stood in between the living room and the foyer. She turned to the open front door. Malcom and Kevin weren’t going to be back anytime soon. Carrying a dead body is a big deal.167Please respect copyright.PENANAS0S9W7bhXB
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Turning and facing the living room, she went over to the seat Sinclair had sat on and sat down, replaying everything that had happened when they got into the house. She never expected to find her late grandmother’s lawyer here. Being one of Emelda’s closest allies, there’s no doubt that he knew what'd been going on. And he even mentioned the cottage. Could he really know where all this is coming from? Including the necklace?167Please respect copyright.PENANAPqIWSZokNN
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Speaking of the necklace, she started to wonder what connection it has to all this. Could it be that the man whom she speaks to over the phone is the one who gave it to her grandmother? If he did, why bother connecting it to the cottage?167Please respect copyright.PENANAAR9i5bSMTq
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She sighed and rubbed her forehead, which started to ache. She thought that thinking would only make it worse. She has no choice but to trust Sinclair and hope that he will tell her what she needs to know.167Please respect copyright.PENANABmGA9ASeVU
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"Hey, are you okay?" Kevin asked.167Please respect copyright.PENANAJ30xRmntWv
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Rhénee looked up to see Kevin looking at her from the entrance of the living room. She hadn’t heard him come in, and she soon heard the sound of the front door closing and footsteps approaching. Malcom appeared behind Kevin, and just like his comrade, they all looked very tired.167Please respect copyright.PENANAmsTmUpB2Ls
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"It’s nothing," Rhénee said as she slowly stood. "Miss Griselda wants you in the kitchen. She fears that you might be hungry. Greta is there."167Please respect copyright.PENANAgfYi8XaGaD
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"And what about you?" Malcom asked. 167Please respect copyright.PENANAywpDym0zGr
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"I might grab a slice of apple pie," she said, putting up a smile. "I’m hungry all over again." She knew if she refused, the two of them would carry her to the kitchen if they had to.167Please respect copyright.PENANAHaXEYLtpbR
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"Well, we did have quite a day," said Malcom. "I’m starving too."167Please respect copyright.PENANAe6RoZWF5uZ
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Rhénee slowly made her way to the kitchen, with Kevin close behind her. It was then that she realized just how tired she's been, as she felt her legs about to give in. But she pushed herself forward nonetheless.167Please respect copyright.PENANAMApUDIqcoc
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***167Please respect copyright.PENANAH6jLACrsWo
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Miguel fumbled with his keys as he tried to open the door. His head hurt like hell, and his vision blurred a little after the hard hit he took to the head. Whatever had happened tonight at the bridge was a disaster. When the whole fiasco had ended and the enemy had soon fled, his boss finally came through, and like anyone would expect, he was not happy to be waking up to see one of his cars being burned to a crisp.167Please respect copyright.PENANA2BrGRCORkl
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After finding what he hoped might be the right key, Miguel slotted it into the keyhole and turned it. He heard the lock click and was thankful that the door opened. He entered the dark, quiet house, trying his best not to knock anything over in the small foyer as he closed the door behind him. Likewise, he turned on the lights and started to make his way to the stairs. Just as he was bypassing the living room, he stopped in his tracks. There was someone there, seated on the couch.167Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZLHT9lRfo
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He stopped and went back up a little. The living room lights are off, but the lights from the foyer make out someone sitting on his grandmother’s seat. He reached for the switch on the wall of the living room and was surprised to see his grandmother staring back at him in her heavy brown coat.167Please respect copyright.PENANAcch7dYZeLw
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"Why are you up this late, grandma?" Miguel asked, looking at her with a surprised look on his face. "You almost scared me there."167Please respect copyright.PENANA6tNx8Qrbc6
167Please respect copyright.PENANAjkzKVkMur6
167Please respect copyright.PENANALXdxyOTRJc
"I couldn’t sleep," Miss Marie answered him, "we have a visitor."167Please respect copyright.PENANArArTWQShNd
167Please respect copyright.PENANAaAhlxrepJd
167Please respect copyright.PENANAI8ICMkrmjo
"A visitor? Who?"167Please respect copyright.PENANA9pfByLihnl
167Please respect copyright.PENANAFehIzNNOjB
167Please respect copyright.PENANAUmPGIooY6W
Miguel followed Miss Marie’s eyes, and his jaw dropped. Seated on the other side of the living room couch is his best friend, Eugene, looking at him with discontent.167Please respect copyright.PENANAtiBxvaVqFf
167Please respect copyright.PENANAz2cIBLsSJE
167Please respect copyright.PENANAKDzTkbcodj
"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Miguel asked.167Please respect copyright.PENANA2FNvnbQh1b
167Please respect copyright.PENANA1gagOBSMbk
167Please respect copyright.PENANAFnvkXemZdv
"I came here to see you," Eugene answered, his stare now deadly. "But would you mind telling me where you have been?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAPL1cH4kelU
167Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ma6NBGrle
167Please respect copyright.PENANAUhRYwj7N17
***167Please respect copyright.PENANAkiAYqOhl6B
167Please respect copyright.PENANAuHT37GcmWE
167Please respect copyright.PENANAtXxDznu1GB
Sinclair looked down at the man tied up in the boot. He closed the lid afterwards and turned to the man in the heavy coat beside him. They stood outside the gates of Rhenee’s house. The trees and the darkness of the night hid them from sight. From afar, unless someone was approaching the car with headlights, you wouldn’t spot them until you came close enough.167Please respect copyright.PENANAGwISfs38hx
167Please respect copyright.PENANA4zakUHxxRc
167Please respect copyright.PENANAek1AwsfG5H
"I thought you were going to introduce yourself to Rhénee back there," said Sinclair.167Please respect copyright.PENANA08ReyUdztd
167Please respect copyright.PENANA1L09FQlQn3
167Please respect copyright.PENANAAa1tdwnNjH
"It wasn’t necessary," the man answered. "Besides, there will be time for that later."167Please respect copyright.PENANAWgu5ErUA3x
167Please respect copyright.PENANAFFQE6CW9d6
167Please respect copyright.PENANAqBylVQ4rNQ
Sinclair looked at the closed lid. "Or is it that she reminds you of Emelda?"167Please respect copyright.PENANApuRx5EBfjh
167Please respect copyright.PENANACBcGh0VTNN
167Please respect copyright.PENANAYokD2C3TJm
The man grunted. "Does it matter? The girl has spirit, that’s for sure. People might say she inherited her attitude from her father."167Please respect copyright.PENANAhO28bSKT8r
167Please respect copyright.PENANA19w2DGThFj
167Please respect copyright.PENANAxe1JNKDQSF
"Well, that’s because they never knew Emelda. Rhénee might be like her father, but she’s passionate and caring like her grandmother. The three of them all share one similar trait, though."167Please respect copyright.PENANAkkUwoL4kv7
167Please respect copyright.PENANAHDAzRbdPY6
167Please respect copyright.PENANAUSwTFFpSiW
"Stubbornness?"167Please respect copyright.PENANAyAbGm9ON0O
167Please respect copyright.PENANAitj3Md9hS1
167Please respect copyright.PENANAM88e3yGBeh
Sinclair smiled. You've got that right."167Please respect copyright.PENANAcayZBlKH29
167Please respect copyright.PENANAzWI6WIqRVY
167Please respect copyright.PENANApPsUXGZrsE
"What do you want me to do with him?" the man asked, looking at the closed trunk.167Please respect copyright.PENANA0WT2YIkySt
167Please respect copyright.PENANAh01E0do9cy
167Please respect copyright.PENANABrJA8GDKBx
"Get any information out of him, then dump him."167Please respect copyright.PENANA0omOOu5Ngz
167Please respect copyright.PENANA3VcPHoUqVc
167Please respect copyright.PENANAH4w7OfbP6g
"You weren't going to let Rhénee interrogate him, were you?" The man raised an eyebrow at Sinclair.167Please respect copyright.PENANAcAVE332Tkk
167Please respect copyright.PENANALjsjn88yKu
167Please respect copyright.PENANAYg0wZLbHea
Sinclair scoffed. "Not in a million years."167Please respect copyright.PENANA3MONAmbnVI
167Please respect copyright.PENANAC8bY8NwauU
167Please respect copyright.PENANA9s5uvE2dEK
The man gave a nod of the head. "Good call. I wouldn't want her to find out too much. The less she knows, the better."167Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZGv8Jx1jK
167Please respect copyright.PENANA6smTRhyoez
167Please respect copyright.PENANAZU9a4GEi94
"We're only doing this for her protection. Once I find out what's going on, I'll contact you. We've got to deal with this mess quickly."167Please respect copyright.PENANAyUZT9XAwQ6
167Please respect copyright.PENANAwNDd6K8h7b
167Please respect copyright.PENANAaDfvUo4PJ6
"You got it."167Please respect copyright.PENANAQlfx8yQpiv
167Please respect copyright.PENANA97Flz0DfZK
167Please respect copyright.PENANAq902IwJ1LP
Sinclair parted ways as he went to his black Lamborghini parked behind the man’s car. The man went over to the driver’s seat of his car and switched on the engine, bringing the headlights on. Sinclair also did the same behind him. The man drove away straight down the road, while Sinclair turned the car the other way around and drove in the opposite direction.
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Rhénee Johnson: Emelda's Sapphire (Book One)
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Rhénee Johnson: Emelda's Sapphire (Book One)
Author:
Namwezi
ISSUE #25
Chapter 24
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