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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUeb5aPpoj
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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:360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94whjGlxKt
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqi9mq1rVM
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"What is it, Greta?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyT8cdq9B3
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoeY56D3F0
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Her mouth fell agape. "How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RCFODmk0i
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLJIVzSq7j
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aSdGvoOtZ
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"Well, you guessed right."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0CXO8J5AO
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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?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rTh9bFWlG
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"We were going to figure something out," said Rhénee.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB9ap146qL
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Miss Griselda scoffed. "You sound just like your grandmother."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx9PPuOC83
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow as she looked at Miss Griselda. The cat that sat on her lap raised its head.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkTDiPO4ut
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"Well, let's be grateful that everything worked according to plan," said Kevin.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ221KPJbJvs
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Miss Griselda didn't say anything as she folded her arms. Rhénee could only imagine how upset she is.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9McCqC37Nh
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVORRUw9dz
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QihAeHosW
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"Really? My lies aren't that convincing, you know?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJCvbwl4Ry
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrpsGtuKGP
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"It was when you explained the reason why I had to have my shirt changed. Just do it, and quickly."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelgzQxcZMi
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"Okay, okay. You're putting me under more pressure than she does."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRbWkY2abx
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHTIDd4n7I
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"Hello, Greta?" Mrs. Derrand's hurried voice came through the speaker. "Thank goodness. I was really worried about you."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKehAvh0v86
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFRN5A1qC1
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"And what of your brother? I've been trying to reach him too."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcpqs85lxS
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSGskdDiGM
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfN6UvBBFI
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUcivwfd0L
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGNpYaSCyL
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"We know. We got a little carried away. Sorry about that."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiL2I6xCzD
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmK9v436Ch
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"Are you coming home now?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReRhWnIv66
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiizoP94fP8
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKj3byRZ9i
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Greta heard her mother mutter in frustration. "Fine. Will you want us to save your supper for when you return?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgoCGQvC1v
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74mIUYeBRL
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpIcvTIOFT
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l8i4jDnmz
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"Alright. But be safe. I'll wait up for you."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJsH4PWB26
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbzonetu2k
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"You see. You've become a very good liar in just one day," said Malcom.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F8vsjPayJ
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoK6MuyEGN
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"Have you already forgotten that we have someone in the trunk?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qYN66H5R2
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"There's someone in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YqenHiO1N
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"I didn't forget," said Kevin as he smiled at Malcom.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaytWgfjdg
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"Who's in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked as she gave Rhénee and Greta a stern look.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP5PnAmr6O
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"Don't ask me. Rhénee said that we take him with us," said Greta.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJrAbjOB2j
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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?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4GaWcKC3K
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"Me?" Miss Griselda asked, now looking cornered. "What makes you think I know?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTxMlRJkJN
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB4X94Jamz
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwQjbnxAm4
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoyjDkaDAP
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"Then it's a good thing that we've got someone in the trunk who can help us."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z7pTqNFKC
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"And where do you expect to keep him?" Miss Griselda asked, knowing fully well the answer to that question.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXZqGyP0se
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"Our basement, of course," Rhénee answered without a care in the world.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxP8cC48iQ
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"If we do that, they might come to your place," said Kevin. "They will know we have him."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iCvfvrzrP
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"Well, why can't we just kill him after everything's done?" Greta asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLVxcY5aXW
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Miss Griselda shook her head. "You are all talking about killing like it's a game."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjebrZW6r1
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qN0REHVev
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9h7ViBZcU
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"And what if he doesn't give you what you want? What then?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD6upN91VA
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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?360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXEfZYQC81
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"We'll figure it out," said Malcom. "Rhénee isn't alone in this."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYNBfQDR8X
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"You know, when Emelda told you to protect Rhénee, it didn't mean kidnapping people," Miss Griselda scorned.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3UrbExr2h
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt6qk6leZk
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"Malcom, you don't have to-" Rhénee started to say something but was quickly interrupted.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcuQ6toZDh
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJcrohsi8J
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QQIaAlLke
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmp3zEpyJ0
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"Home sweet home," she muttered to herself. She has had a long day.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0mm272gs0
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGgCSySQeC
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEn6fEfQBW
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VAz6GEXOS
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs1vvTkVVB
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"Malcom and I will carry him into the house," said Kevin. "You can open the door for us."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk12biGAkB7
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOn9Wf36b4
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She quickly pulled out her gun, tucked behind her trousers. The others behind her saw.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4nFWnJTMF
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"What is it, Rhénee?" Miss Griselda asked, sounding terrified.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaOpXt0GXo
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"Stay here," Rhénee warned. "Someone is in the house."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qc17cbC4m
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Miss Griselda gasped, and Greta, who stood close to her, held her shoulder. Malcom quickly came to join Rhénee, also pulling out his gun.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPHBOh4Gsg
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"Are you sure someone is in there?" he asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6LpvB9bfc
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHR7aqYG8w
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"I'll lead the way."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnwMgw0vQt
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"No," Rhénee said, holding Malcom’s shoulder. "I'll go."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4FR7eooUE
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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?360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdL1YGb6xb
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKiULIYw8Q
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJgdjzyGMH
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi9NoyBw3X
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX8JxY80ne
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"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked, still with her gun pointed at whoever it was in the room.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXzpcwiwO2
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"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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQLM65Lw0o
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8aXccMaNX
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"What are you doing here, Mr. Sinclair?" Malcom asked this time around.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQJvwQV9If
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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?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK6ffTAfT6
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Rhénee slowly dropped her arms. "You also have another set of keys to the house?" she asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJvds3RRoA
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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?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8duiz6MEM
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uJ2sqCymd
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"Who is he?" Rhénee asked, her eyes looking straight at the stranger.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AdqTtRS9t
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"A good friend of your late grandmother," Sinclair answered. "Please, bring the others in. They must be wondering what's going on."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uoroIADpG
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYncJ8PT3x
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0rp3Uv3n9
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"You don't seem surprised that I'm holding a gun, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gBIQK2PqO
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Sinclair adjusted in his seat as he answered, "I'm not."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4xu1piDoc
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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?360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAari3CL1Q6
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"Are you serious?" Rhénee could hear Miss Griselda in the foyer, along with a set of footsteps.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYxvLJB75q
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"You can see for yourself," said Malcom.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvD6z8uMrr
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D2yim0uv6
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"Long time no see, Griselda," came the breathy voice of the man in the corner.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN8vhYJvJV
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Rhénee turned to look at Miss Griselda. "You know him?" she asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNopN0T11K
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fy2cmnZXG
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"So I've been told." Rhénee looked at Mr. Sinclair.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBit6IEuJw
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"Please sit down, all of you," said Mr. Sinclair.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy6Mp0ZNLJ
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkHu5dqfnR
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"Aren't you going to sit, Rhénee?" Sinclair asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuM3iSvm0H
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"You already know what happened tonight, don't you?" Rhénee asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvKbD5dBjJ
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Those who were seated looked at Mr. Sinclair, looking a little surprised. Greta's mouth fell open.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5jMv4NQKm
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"Of course," he answered, giving a curt nod of his head.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3B9vshXAN
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"That means you've always known what's been going on?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwCApgIprp
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"I don't think so. It's why I'm here."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvPzDbhiOq
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcUFqdGXJH
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Sinclair cleared his throat before asking, "Would anyone mind telling me where you all were?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIx9eee1Lo
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"We aren’t children for you to be asking us such a question," Rhénee pointed out.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtE5pbbbKC
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7fCPPhd95
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Malcom is the first to speak after a moment of silence: "We were out in the woods."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7nhuyHuz8
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCzzA9o8tK
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"Rhénee, please calm down," said Miss Griselda as she laid a hand on Rhénee’s knee.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdZfh1ItYH
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95xYIAT5pH
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"As much as I am your lawyer—you might not like to hear this—I am responsible for you."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP7z1SG98g
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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?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhghrM7lxkj
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Sinclair put up a smug smile. "What hell?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uPipaUTve
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rz4rGpjoa
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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?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx0UlrhOiO
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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?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUty4OpNJF
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"It depends."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebU95DZjEP
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"On what?" Rhénee folded her arms.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz7AlGyyXV
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"On you telling me why you were out in the woods and whatever has been going on."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODvFYGg15h
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk3xfClumk
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiVQ66dVno
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Rhénee stopped. "Are we going to be serious about this or not?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns5rpVo3ek
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7hkZWKumA
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"You know about that?" Greta asked, surprised.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyuaViNCEL
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"I have eyes and ears." Sinclair smiled at her.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMCNuj0OMR
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"I’m guessing he told you." Kevin’s eyes flew to the man in the coat.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mliLXE35k
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"He just happened to be nearby when he heard the ruckus."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKEVT6uqiS
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"Wait, if he was there, how did he find himself here before us?" Rhénee asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HZzWqkXGk
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7oADPDkTN
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDRFkAfsnX
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"So are you going to tell me why there was a shootout?" Sinclair asked, bringing Rhénee back from her thoughts.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKdQBLVzF2
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYyfdHiow2
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcqZN5dQdn
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbc2Icszsl
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5q70VOeCq
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"So, anyone mind telling me?" Sinclair asked as he looked at each one seated.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPw1BMvB3J
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqWlr484Rd
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul2QiG3Jwu
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"I’m not saying anything on that one," Sinclair said. "Please continue." Rhénee almost hissed at him.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPR1W52fAY
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPS96DSF4Q
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"We better take that man out of that trunk," Sinclair suggested.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrpKJFcZsa
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"I agree," said Miss Griselda. Rhénee couldn’t help but wonder why she answered so quickly.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkPvKvhC0f
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"Kevin, let's go get him," said Malcom.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYqv3cvvRI
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaNv4FFEHx
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"You came with a car?" Greta asked. "We saw no car in the driveway."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66I1KmCsnD
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"And why put him in his car?" Rhénee asked. "I need to question him first."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd10vpGfSG
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlVURGrgYx
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"Then why aren’t you letting me?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbc7BfjSvu
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfXfwypOhs
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHbbULVIjY
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"Aren’t you now going to tell me what’s going on?" Rhénee asked after the others had left.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFq1SoYads
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"I will. But not now." Sinclair quickly stood from his seat as he adjusted the glasses on his face.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpdDDon5VX
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"No fair," Rhénee quickly said, standing in front of him. "We had a deal."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QJlmkwMop
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"A deal, yes. And I will deliver my part tomorrow."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6nZJ854kh
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"No. I want you to say it right here and now."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yDJLrtqBG
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYn835Ojwg
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D6UAnpYuj
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"I called her and told her not to worry," Greta answered as she slowly stood, looking nervously at Sinclair.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Inz4gwj6k
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxNyi9JhM7
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUVEf2FD98
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"What are you going to do to the man in the trunk?" Rhénee asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbFZqEg9sx
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"He’ll be well taken care of. I also have to question him."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqDKFMnM9V
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"And you think you’ll make him talk?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrlCQFp5Rq
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"The man I came with has mad skills at making people talk."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn65ld2Tyj
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHiq3Z1nPV
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Sinclair smiled. "No, you aren’t kids. Doing what you did today proves that."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zPyACjpZh
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO4x6InDzQ
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCHrHI9wFY
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Sw7aIcNgY
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After Sinclair walked out through the front door, Rhénee turned to Greta.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5dqPhSQCD
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV2c8RL9Nb
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsWHzhANQf
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLjsjKN8Ha
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"Will do," said Rhénee.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GJT80ed0f
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGQT9CEdbW
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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?360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXVxqPVLuq
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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?360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygbrniJjut
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hd3sw33kq
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"Hey, are you okay?" Kevin asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM1fXZHc3s
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWBtAZ1MMF
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JQBzb6s1h
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"And what about you?" Malcom asked. 360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP15m3Nq3v
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUttZubrhD
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"Well, we did have quite a day," said Malcom. "I’m starving too."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMDiEUe28o
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvVATSa3uM
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ970nxUdHcR
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmRUBElCMa
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIl8GYmukT
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys9UsBDjv8
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"I couldn’t sleep," Miss Marie answered him, "we have a visitor."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFPBKJw3A9
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"A visitor? Who?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPBRuzKKiT
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AS4a4PVLs
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"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Miguel asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVstoeFrYm
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"I came here to see you," Eugene answered, his stare now deadly. "But would you mind telling me where you have been?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFyVKTi2T7
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR8by7fQtd
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"I thought you were going to introduce yourself to Rhénee back there," said Sinclair.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3KlYXxIou
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"It wasn’t necessary," the man answered. "Besides, there will be time for that later."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDao08bMfL
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Sinclair looked at the closed lid. "Or is it that she reminds you of Emelda?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiW0rbZafu
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The man grunted. "Does it matter? The girl has spirit, that’s for sure. People might say she inherited her attitude from her father."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8QcLSzwX9
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC2O9ou81t
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"Stubbornness?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY5Aw7OkAh
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Sinclair smiled. You've got that right."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQx0jzNX2R
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"What do you want me to do with him?" the man asked, looking at the closed trunk.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnA54XavdJ
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"Get any information out of him, then dump him."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx2cGyQZuc
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"You weren't going to let Rhénee interrogate him, were you?" The man raised an eyebrow at Sinclair.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXHziAcOq3
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Sinclair scoffed. "Not in a million years."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0nq7JW1uf
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzPnYhUOKt
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xYkkBNvsc
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"You got it."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ357lJpdy6x
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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.8964 copyright protection356ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gXYqrfStU 維尼

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