The news about the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6UIrxzaTh
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbG94pPXFS
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcevWub104Y
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5k5AfEfFp
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmy14Rn6zw
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5NrdMkE5n
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqKRhGJK9N
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzytg8CaBr
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQUU1YupXa
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtewaiNah3Y
There was more to it 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuzyCO4qEg
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmwYTzHMSa
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTVaRTElaB
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VKk4MpcJn
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXFMSsPDyl
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85fJ9fWkS9
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4cjYaC1F4
except from a few individuals. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd7CxhVsox
And apparently, one of 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8Rwl9rNea
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOQFInf13b
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhudRfbr24
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsetOT8J4b
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfmEfRwrji
really going on, all hell would break loose.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKULa2tZuO
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbywGxjpL67
Rhénee dropped the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzDCdUWPDO
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6nd0ZUgW4
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2Ne9JHAc1
ear, she took a sip of coffee.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzOUfHyR2S
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVngw6TEVY
"Ya, its crazy here," 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1cJKinui0
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymQks2rft5
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnuUwRYgWj
broken in."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3e22b2tfh
"If only they knew."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCAA5pqx7g
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe1NfqnEbe
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDHPRXvTOa
"She did. I had to make 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7unrxWXRj
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7l8DNjMLi
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3b7HXojNM
"I doubt if she believed that."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBXZWPrxUT
"Haha, looks like you 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnpyvDupkS
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy9Xm9ET0d
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uK9V96CmX
"True. But we did. I 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ4i6D9NQG
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf9NvbAPKc
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FLVax2Vr7
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtwFP3V8dH
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4ZfbydLab
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdWwuRcowz
"Okay, bye."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90NJCDn9Uf
"Bye."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKxRkLUNSb
Rhénee cuts the call and781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivMfXxYVOB
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4mLTp0M9k
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmiDms4MS1
wink last night.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzTm6d1hzr
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQMRQWAGXo
"I wasn't going to 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4zoAC3O9Q
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh0Pb5eDl0
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRomYA4x6ye
"You don't have to 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LMI2pGmDu
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiF96vhGbB
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FuSzQIfy7
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkjhTi7TnR
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi1Y24TyZl
"Why Malcom?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig0dLGEloI
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBfhVjskSX
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEhQiq8CDw
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF7lXzaGOn
"Alright, you go ahead."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnkMoNLeKl
Miss Griselda gave 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AnRudGMax
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy2Z1ACpWG
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ014CfpLbP6
did when they talked about Malcom. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUORayGvejv
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QcZFQr0pP
The sound of her phone 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfU2ldpwAU
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQoDBsC9Xp
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGTw98PmlK
mother.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7TwOjswn4
"Hello?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcWj0r6HKe
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXphGZC063
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIib7vx1pua
That voice. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVLTYcJho8
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38LAOh7Grt
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWkEqpFdk7
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEy2416u6S
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu4BdifBi0
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17Lag3IemB
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbReaAG6Rj
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAnTvKxXwx
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIweki8RNe
"You don't know me, 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifHAPaFufX
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu5SIkMgWp
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7oLRQT09G
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FteuR2VfQ
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE3bFHYrr1
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTiTN32A6a
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2y2vQunKF
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ScnxfIYGh
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAe74AD4Fn
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJATPmQBw7
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JScCxbW86
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CNrzlHLPh
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7lR4iqWqS
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi2VI6EQz0
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEprhx0O2N
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NytEzHzgp
"Oh, and by the way, 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQGl5wtWw2
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFUPSnyKFm
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhakUBooEJ
this time around."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFduPTyBCq
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHpMSAGvhR
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhumKZaIJRw
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvItZvyJrA
Rhénee sat down on the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCxU5qcAqu
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9JM9wURLO
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ijZ8h4pvA
the others, who know what might happen. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzmg7zF1eG
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSvcj03HyK
***781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DYBPBx9M8
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1GTzob9un
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzO8kTD9Zn
"But she isn't hurt right?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgouJAQ7gA
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtvPCFQiPp
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5cSi2yYAE
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s86uPYlX4
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDJCQeuVCx
"Nah.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YBZwpstRF
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufxPxGJOpu
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUD0Lt0iy9
"Thats781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXt212yDt5
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkVwpRbxor
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePJ1TmXOT4
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpP9cSGXtU
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL7mskdXhM
"Alright."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4nbMq1nL4
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDayb6eSlPN
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvymX53x7E
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezkEFut1up
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCxZ4qbMX5
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW95EM4IwV
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72IuR5Qoi0
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8CUcMcyFb
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJZiPpbwX0
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJr852LMkY
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeL6M1pCjJ
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcqYu2mHLs
"Does it bother you?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUQsxWgwnj
"Um... not really. But.... um."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksI2TMBpP9
Eugene781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcerNuxmNOo
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE5AyLkdvx
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TNL3cBhrx
"Mum, are you okay?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrvWN0bD5W
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwvofPM8vH
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UTFIDuJN5
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1lYcE9tm4
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49ufMu1Pbk
Mrs781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JPa3onuXP
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8uo9zXYxQ
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV8mjPTC8D
had talked about Rhénee?781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE7iKbT5DZ
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYb3vcShXr
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLk7Ih75s4
***781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS4IYr8GhZ
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3y2ZeD3Gz
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ45BAvE9d
"You better rest though. You still look tired."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzOFdhO45l
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfR0mbtTow
"No, I'll do it."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXQmXX8OHk
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR80H3liIWB
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GHphsTS5K
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaXv450fiy
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzDJvStIx6
Rhénee781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjIuL3cDtF
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJEc6urVDJ
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWBrRnY2St
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1oKmtGzb6
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vfn8LcXL2
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bQhtdYvQ7
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaFmc8NGwo
"Thank781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI836sHesj
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU9d9Xjx08
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoFWF1xZ83
"Well, yes. I still think I would."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5sJYzfliS
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtfc4jo0xN
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnby7lhvWwr
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1um5Vmz4N
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC1XwbmZjx
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXTqyOueBx
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KUrykUEFg
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrMNCZN4lB
"Coffee will be lovely."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4TJyjAroL
Miss781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhkvhkRJCC
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTbtOmXcuh
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvmizsQqAv
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB6U5e1FTW
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffVIKJaD9H
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnomEgKnH4z
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41H5CzsTVJ
"What mysterious person?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3FJLczn9C
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwDBdxs1QK
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IMnwHkXuO
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrURjqHuBCM
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw3IcDIK2t
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMljL0gFuV
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsxuVsuWBk
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpHbhIWJDA
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXrKSYeszy
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCBe2AvWnI
The781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM95kfxGti6
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwEPvSuq05
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU32FjvP7I
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpOyIvqXyU
of this.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTft94gbeC
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHrA0wOGfd
"I...781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JjHiedTRf
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1ZlrBwyow
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU3KkemXjz
frustration. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrYhNGOMr2
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8ANVOoYyO
Rhénee781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhLFtCYA2h
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOo9IiHA7g
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZg8EJbu5I
cups on the tray and wondered. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYMaYlLV6s
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiM0lvaVb2
781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4isBnudCk
As781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzHuzZ9q8e
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrJgq4kLHh
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvwGRxBzCx
reminder kept ringing in her head.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S9LjkgmiO
"And tell your friends not to get involved."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgg4ylCUtV
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD317mwDKgK
"I781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodQPGs9ngf
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8iqcvkxqV
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUluIKNATU
talking about, Rhénee?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkKLWxFxOT
Rhénee781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEerm51ceye
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUoipufucT
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYib3jd2MN
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMEbFVwsQ1
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNcc7Y0I1V
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofeQuU66zL
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrArBpjBw3b
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvimuVC7RH
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lz2DQLMKI
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8BNTWtPzh
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOc8Q0nZTE
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdrHuISNg1
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnP83LCrHf
***781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6mcSTDsru
Sweat781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5qTr3HRUF
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OVtMhntCR
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAlP27soZG
the person waiting never likes to wait.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4F06fsDpV
He781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttTgPtyZ37
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyF8eVpCua
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxHHUbypiz
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YfyUyIuuN
second.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx5JP630Iv
He781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJwzxh6xoU
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT4EpvGuIE
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pi0whrjRx
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy8KxQfCVI
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZeI1XZk7S
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVXhYhDmbT
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitibypKLaw
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYXwy5H8EX
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTjApGg0Hg
"You're late, again."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMBBfG9cwF
His781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9NZV4pcBT
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB0dSM4npM
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhyXHlxUaA
lion door knob. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5QBi7b35R
He781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc9TyT3vx5
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcsbGe4n7v
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnplbJ7vmTj
"What781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQXKFTuFYB
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq5Z8AhiSI
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4MkQSmRSu
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4c2AtGkDu
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLn3u88RYd
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD78sEZ76Ss
A781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMVr1KcBJf
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcvBMvjWyE
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsE4hu1E8N
as they had their backs towards the window.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui8xTSmr2B
"You know we need him," said the tall man.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnRAYFShjx
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqfqCca1n5
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAUXZiLI75
The781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNLMD6hXnP
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1heubH6cr
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrFisAfiTU
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mKv8LLvj3
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOghlA5fnCC
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8ROBrZj9O
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXjHaJLWwC
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmK5wqiQkb
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ4cGnkJ4r
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSoJXYiTUu
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hVHqNSwpP
"What if she reveals the truth?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTxeet416y
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKeiYSxl0s
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AwK1wSmx5
For a moment, silence hung over them.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMsj5pY3D4
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO8KOVDoTt
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7KtRayNIt
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIFjKUt2tY
"I781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTgYV6rb2B
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwJWiFsKiZ
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dm95Hnryf
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYz00httwS
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqCyltslJ1
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9u7ZMnqGG
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9TRk6iBZm
***781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXI9vVqHYD
The781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23vpcB1ACO
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahmdJsR5wn
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez3NeNamG1
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlvYpPM6fo
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL9mFteKC9
they met, they seemed sky blue.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc0tgAaaXf
And781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFNPCnwKSi
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmt6N60bHT
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOLr6ndPoM
Rhénee781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYIacIZxok
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCneqmI3YN
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVJs1JAtmc
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlVAPDnIkT
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS95KFOR5oX
coffee table in the middle.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKliKf0usa
When781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAQlz6UCRL
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9m9INOShb
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFupqwyO33x
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3fPS0Y5qh
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIReGXQSBpJ
"Are you sure?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz15kIghrg
"Yes, I'm positive."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobZklglbRS
Miss781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3FX8Izb66
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt7o6qp8fM
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvGUCcMtKI
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOvU14LjDg
from their cups.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMAU2VlcfS
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ1AMIQmgs
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexDsmK06tj
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOecrlw13GU
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRitVNDovlm
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PPGOb17Yi
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNMcJTlTGN
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd8VFXVuzP
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppeYjFJ5eq
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaOGSatEyf
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKsfDPjbWL
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0i0cy4WW9
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡposDn3eCko
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj92DwKsocI
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2P4gmSoxV
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzhXTLc07K
"Oh,781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU5cnTgs3g
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pb4I8JbIn
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnDOOArDR7
who he is."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGNgObF8Fd
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWEaqNNnw0
Rhénee781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQcJetMLuM
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVwDdA5eXA
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliV15bUtYj
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgO88dBxgY
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFrG8WYtK7
Rhénee781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MDLomir1j
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJbP6GHgYl
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHnNcFUqcJ
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapS9HlBzfx
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oZGB0OSls
"Fine,781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ26ItO7GEa
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTSpcxQN7Q
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVavygRw42M
or die if you stay by me."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNvBkVjLMA
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