The news about the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7OXPHr9w5
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4pgyEtsXG
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZHfNbfFMi
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlaKZjNYpW
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyWRWi4zWi
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT5fCQQgRT
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdccUxXavW
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPxBOwkLTA
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOWwEPfEt8
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtnv39kgDJ
There was more to it 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a1g0IVm3c
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QZMxcug8O
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXckKNUisL
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTehZAN9PL
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM7sThTbQM
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpbzm335vN
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI4gsCC0VZ
except from a few individuals. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xBK12jY8F
And apparently, one of 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcWQIHAfW1
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH5s3lftSH
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4E7PO1mga
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcolDYyLFv
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBMGMorraQ
really going on, all hell would break loose.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QZAWA8KVp
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJZBc8Uhrs
Rhénee dropped the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiP1AGlxPw
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgp1v0K0Dy
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D3wVueiqI
ear, she took a sip of coffee.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz4y4X5M7r
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZnKYmUjv5
"Ya, its crazy here," 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WI429OMR7
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyEAtPwBv3
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOnxMJ3YbS
broken in."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbURoIFMDR
"If only they knew."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkyPlCAatd
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTxMWBs8KZ
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII9c2T3GaE
"She did. I had to make 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3p9jm26UD
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuTZhqjbRP
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDt3io7FPf
"I doubt if she believed that."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GIjXNrq69
"Haha, looks like you 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQx5Dkp0Qw
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR3taFoK1i
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7A499noEo
"True. But we did. I 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MoWCivxoZ
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhFBcVrMFk
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8XEHsfvkC
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgyxRt0wb6
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bBvVJeHyN
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE8TQYLSwk
"Okay, bye."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO90ykTE5I
"Bye."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFST8hW6mYm
Rhénee cuts the call and740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ6eEkteZK
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCggGvTBjAs
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCXtIZMPKK
wink last night.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBaCKDDkFs
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yvZU61gIu
"I wasn't going to 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb55Exgz5O
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJHvz5ersU
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6Nuz4yLQy
"You don't have to 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATRyN9iJ8J
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uKNmvTRCB
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbjs5TBOBs
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzYs8AAZah
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSwCpqtn5g
"Why Malcom?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54OhwChQza
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwV8M2Iols
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek3xUNrcg3
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCS9gjeZM9
"Alright, you go ahead."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ0F4D9Xaz
Miss Griselda gave 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy60sg0aUUV
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeer3uHWOpo
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RYSXXbxXy
did when they talked about Malcom. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Vnm9kv0j
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP8ZhcCkNZ
The sound of her phone 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfPTvSWLvY
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BWIlXe0no
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLtJZWYCWW
mother.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9Q3eobHGI
"Hello?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwzowVyons
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7uD6VEmfj
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHVpLvmMpT
That voice. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p7nFPOFZf
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GWwzVzBKS
"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?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPRq6k7OvS
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOQUq3gA79
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt5zqgnZX6
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmO8fYZScg
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHgyFlfdKI
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDs6y6V1jE
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ng9isS6G8
"You don't know me, 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ouEA9mCxW
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreLKMDKr8y
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxRpXuIRWQ
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzcrf7VOY2
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtfK7QjmKR
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMqQW7sdg6
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNKlsQfmE4
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnazLmYomS7
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvVUhDNdUa
"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?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhMONzEiAs
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5snWjeXSa
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbaXWOMZqZ
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwS6yOQEFN
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D6PyALFty
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRm7CsUSLP
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUrMPZI6kp
"Oh, and by the way, 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IWVwpSUt7
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidhnm02bws
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4WrldXxD4
this time around."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgHM3jpP0N
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnyjdTtsQS
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl4tXrCss2
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSAAuusHfc
Rhénee sat down on the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDuxEM3bvN
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOIfSzrH7J
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgy8CSUlp4
the others, who know what might happen. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBQUQqbPyh
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06Xrhoif0B
***740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLFSMjBf8y
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NGlDuQdM7
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrGVRZbF9r
"But she isn't hurt right?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbflIAvvBj
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuHgA8s3qO
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6A37WuVzz
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONh2O74jQL
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKuJo8W6Q3
"Nah.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0hwcthgxG
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVACzhj7iX2
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVvy6SfPLL
"Thats740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKOVRdAiNs
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPctLkzQ9O
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCwskBQb3c
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7iZP33M3M
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k03u3fnkA
"Alright."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis2g7rT1EX
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. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6SEGIpo74
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc8C98yOXZ
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEAKXKxBC3
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58lblYvsT0
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp2Lvq9fRe
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TOYjIPacg
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvpICfclIR
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhPQggVI9m
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq0hFEYSlI
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVOH6Rp9fn
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZVPWvpTQ3
"Does it bother you?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTPONoYwHa
"Um... not really. But.... um."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqbd3Km2cV
Eugene740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7VLsutrms
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6zW2jz1v4
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvaZKx5uLY
"Mum, are you okay?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUBzh8HKST
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5LcVqJnqS
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AC8U4srUh
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8UHDeoUU7
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSmgrEtEHY
Mrs740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMKaWVEH12
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9gxOiZ7tL
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QwVmaEtlZ
had talked about Rhénee?740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRdtDehOiw
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoMHHvdoZn
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo5E3ESXAg
***740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8E0hiXGbF
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY7bEEsuel
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvvEjK7wA2
"You better rest though. You still look tired."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcrvacGPbg
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXPDGNCme6
"No, I'll do it."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXpbh667Zm
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Juc0mUZ6v
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAGfYgmow5
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrSiNbqiRh
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux3y1hO8gT
Rhénee740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eXfQkIkRg
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSpqgiDLlH
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EXgFq3jys
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYAoxsOl8X
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLaXCVSabW
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBF9Q2iwOg
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntPTyG4NVM
"Thank740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUaw4P7vDX
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGFUGkIPn6
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeRO1y2PQy
"Well, yes. I still think I would."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjuHu9NdfA
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5pncb3GcD
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKMduua8GE
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W44eLkXUo
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ273yfN4sdb
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnCLBVq0pB
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2quCu6YxrE
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsxW7D46ex
"Coffee will be lovely."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72CgkCDWlQ
Miss740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxgjspjf3f
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDGgJefvlM
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWjaIdT6pd
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ACYWHnMMG
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGngPoQmHe8
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiHcxW9e9p
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui99fKdMSU
"What mysterious person?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfQe06jLRL
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2hBybSZYe
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg9iOYAQ1u
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb5FDn4nj7
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYFByyYvQu
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMjRQflfps
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0kPJLmO1O
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4vlIqRJre
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbsvGw2Wll
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdslc83QVIH
The740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15BIeWH7PG
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVAzJ1iGMA
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFANrVWc0Nq
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4awIljNTvQ
of this.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwvLkIZwRg
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bfvpk1E89
"I...740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6IBhrbyT5
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FXGIuc6RJ
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjIYYTXmKV
frustration. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNvigFT6K3
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRCSLRRWPa
Rhénee740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK22UeMmQD
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlBtMrKkcj
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4OQbHSlhT
cups on the tray and wondered. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrztNb2D1j
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFDASLNTOZ
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDlASOFqHj
As740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4bCiH92l0
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rXIMCMriY
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlx2gpys4y
reminder kept ringing in her head.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5lFQ63GVk
"And tell your friends not to get involved."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYpWLiSmQu
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmlMlEguId
"I740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy0st3FVKW
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO9RDQBbah
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUikXULqgd
talking about, Rhénee?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMDSfRXS5F
Rhénee740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawcy0rKy1N
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7itW8lIa48
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyRY9CtTkO
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0ERo1CmAS
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejufr0vl9B
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF25jM4qQa
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqpX9nONzv
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHlasRfr8W
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlUpKwrSXB
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPHlMfSmeO
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqc23jP5PE
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm8xMCntYI
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLH7H1fGhS
***740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyu8PqlTEY
Sweat740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIVrGaDbhG
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL7ejiHDTX
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOavNjlFRjj
the person waiting never likes to wait.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Idnf2qOT5
He740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2UBvgxlEb
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbofXBQtmCC
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgY5b1kovht
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72Vs0Puzv9
second.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9J4SzvEGZ
He740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDiKo5p2l0
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIe91VPHS0
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX2NmtVzr8
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiLsh683lQ
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb8v3kECVr
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv0YIeHNcc
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1ETYcUJlv
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZxDZb1q8F
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS7AqOjokS
"You're late, again."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgadfdK0ueL
His740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKTl11Mm1w
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtrJtcIG8r
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6HLLtj0We
lion door knob. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSgBBRTyf8
He740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutzOUgcOQ8
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCti7ofLsE
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmNjlxNNsZ
"What740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1ZDWhwuZb
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzfqvqh7yE
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKPkdOtq4n
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipjA1CftaB
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDlq7q2bXs
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQQyeox9uv
A740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9FwcOHBhs
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8JtEIPHlQ
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy6NDdHPPI
as they had their backs towards the window.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ptM2nOebt
"You know we need him," said the tall man.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9NWSbLz2H
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBclWcBiNV
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgwh4N1Hj8
The740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHZzS4QUEn
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUCZmFzVUF
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTf5pQ23PX
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlNCUfYctv
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjx5JLN9JF
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfVlisH4GS
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2EKw9oVva
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX583oqHMOQ
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tZfnKcFxu
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvYXD4jkfy
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vCKXFF7lv
"What if she reveals the truth?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHvTvcK5ZP
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq7c5hYf6N
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZB38TTgsJ
For a moment, silence hung over them.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJg1LNTcUq
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj3Z4Q18F3
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgrFCeRlwT
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cHgCyvqX5
"I740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3VbKSuRbr
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn4Q6Vkx7r
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSFFaUJIQH
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6pKyuGCaU
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqWzDsQ4LA
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEIJ009ZiV
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv84V0hP0fp
***740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndDtbDVP96
The740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtT3mK1jpp
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9UOWKN4Cb
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7eH33zB8B
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbSzYmyRHL
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzg8A3T9OU
they met, they seemed sky blue.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mVvSqeO6b
And740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMJbbjCplz
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVqe2u5Ewv
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAUac1PvUP
Rhénee740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x7oyecO0A
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBA706A6kL
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFx2yqCTcE
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmpC3qdO42
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ9ziFruZV
coffee table in the middle.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv0yarXwHs
When740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB67vKjpQG
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSnk09IR5q
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CluIY0BoV
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUy3u1BhXK
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv7OiedwEj
"Are you sure?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kAysgaR8C
"Yes, I'm positive."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1pRlbWifj
Miss740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpjgrJALHo
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hfVFLgPMr
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBeXjOc0Q9
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivUF5366gN
from their cups.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhssydVR5CO
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWmbGOItUQ
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi28DmiPfV
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsKmPA4kBt
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofy6adlhoj
"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.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVj8qW1elZ
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeN9gKoXj4
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcekkGKUhqN
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69VJ1DEu7s
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s40tP2A7j
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOyFBret9V
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvzeWuB7si
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBSeKZxfje
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkUTJMANWa
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMVxmM4BvF
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3FXZMi4w1
"Oh,740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWyLHuVt5b
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzW1pf3B4n
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGGwQO9raa
who he is."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kHCjZ1WhS
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8rbkdwaCK
Rhénee740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fuLXgdSjp
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ4p1Ak07d
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfLuv1x0xd
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGWR7TAuvB
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy1xlfNAOy
Rhénee740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu53Z63OWK
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEdzCsNlrP
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOevK9sh0J6
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK5NyUXjhb
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnos7X2hu4S
"Fine,740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0B42VsLab
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAZn6XAEgx
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR5Z8fggPt
or die if you stay by me."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIhYrR1YmU
