The news about the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJfXgQTVUY
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvq0iXKK0Y
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcF1ZM0Vrb
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI4E5XP6Tt
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxn79pcIWd
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFpfSLzHRs
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkX7Tp9UmN
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIKailrAng
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXKEzgKdfx
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzjlV4Oo6O
There was more to it 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d5N7AV9fw
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5KT8hJS8Z
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAcW9T6JnW
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhEXT9nhyX
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaloSfeAl0L
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBapTXY063
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2EXAuWZtR
except from a few individuals. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtx2gUbuHJ
And apparently, one of 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSoP9x0ROy
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWFfYAnupC
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3ZuOZfv6z
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZnCN51OcS
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Cwbj7Eby
really going on, all hell would break loose.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYfJdmXCxL
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC3jR5Appn
Rhénee dropped the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5sW9vzZYq
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK15wsuy37C
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHa6QuIdrE
ear, she took a sip of coffee.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8jxQ9ITsY
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cgdARnPNT
"Ya, its crazy here," 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Jx0usA8K
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUXIB3zR8P
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWslshfk9A
broken in."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrNh6lkWKB
"If only they knew."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpXQyXJFzv
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWQVw7GaCT
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKIKZXwI03
"She did. I had to make 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AXv3BBhME
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyKgxiPSit
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcwdXyYED3
"I doubt if she believed that."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ0SGzjobA
"Haha, looks like you 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfWnwxNtUv
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77nN19iIO4
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBzmLPHc8K
"True. But we did. I 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6EPoS12Pj
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf3eUkn9dO
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1WlBexJza
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5arvaLeBY
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH2onFmpcm
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9zASsTMDO
"Okay, bye."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1c1L9ojQA
"Bye."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwqDm41XvM
Rhénee cuts the call and799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FOA5I5re1
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzm8vaXGiU
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGJoeSnhwp
wink last night.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76PHxZqNn5
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupLFmgAYeW
"I wasn't going to 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslKKUo1dCT
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZIodzfzbE
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYHQLtAQ1Y
"You don't have to 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWthxVvr3CB
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ7chnJx4u
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrAnCEkEZx
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuIXtprcRh
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8ThpNu2Jh
"Why Malcom?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjiJYEcn0N
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNaC6iyV13
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsMOuq3Zvo
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSjYRDRJsu
"Alright, you go ahead."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDs70nxWWE
Miss Griselda gave 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEeCjPREq5
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjP2R6xV0Y
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQeEXy84O9
did when they talked about Malcom. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy08dfPb3dX
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6AxAUCnke
The sound of her phone 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnn2wMkSmP
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrmdIfTcW5
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqvfAZ2Kx1
mother.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ7bbtOtfy
"Hello?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiKfosofO6
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1ypviiu75
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6V9CRYZ1S
That voice. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBbgKwEs13
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJk9uqSPYB
"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?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHh5lG7psI
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUFGjd498P
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WrH6ZJXml
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wg7i9Zp4b
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSEJVoPYao
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhPwAdbFUe
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb5EFvAo3V
"You don't know me, 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WeAgd7MkL
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOmR913TSA
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiRYzZS3tg
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnMcD46j9j
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd5gSRg9a4
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlANJHX3cJ
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8kld8K8T1
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG6TeOuyhc
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHIhXZcIQA
"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?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqgnSHUAW0
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco45bsNorv
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9dc8xdy2u
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡra6j51RcBC
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDU0IbRuKL
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYdJQDSmk8
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9vWBRvMey
"Oh, and by the way, 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUY9d0dWJC
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrHxHuY5G0
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dIBYccL01
this time around."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfhmZ6nhmH
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobM7pNhBNv
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGwPbYw5cL
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPmXKCKu28
Rhénee sat down on the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAGlFNPHxl
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXsbB9SLml
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6Ed2hEvax
the others, who know what might happen. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk7hYH1D9V
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ4EdupLwK
***799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH9DV85hbk
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddWODmacq7
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X6MzQyqe7
"But she isn't hurt right?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc8dxvRa8C
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNf2Brk1ti
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7k4AGKhx1
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGtr5CrgZZ
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9knQZQfzW
"Nah.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwswTauitJ
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zz2AJnFF9
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLWkUKVuZk
"Thats799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdq0OtSB8p
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOG0CqB5kE
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4KLKY3ywv
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMp3Vps9fu
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch91Jf63vt
"Alright."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlUo4uMr7S
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. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0Ov0a1RAt
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN2B0Mvs2v
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdEiXYNxug
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6JPbW1o0y
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFvqxbLbG3
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy9yYCx0v6
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzj2mKDD1O
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtuHLHk8gL
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2HETnvR4m
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcjQ3iIImT
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwr8S2vSXK
"Does it bother you?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosHXeEy2HD
"Um... not really. But.... um."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzZKukoktA
Eugene799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8VcmhcH5C
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgrkXVf4YB
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgWUvomtUL
"Mum, are you okay?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Om3qRkMFH
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwErTfWQ4nt
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqYF6j5vRl
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPMQwYpRpZ
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRIZZjOwAj
Mrs799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6b1JF6dl2
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRxO9MTJ6U
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXqZJkDwsB
had talked about Rhénee?799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6aDrmf9IJ
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmhfRX6dFL
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7blU2e1prD
***799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTh0UQRBfg
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhnFsVE71A
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d0IV4zwj3
"You better rest though. You still look tired."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhIG5Os7tz
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp28GMSyCV
"No, I'll do it."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0piQZ3yP2E
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fgUaT5WN3
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j4qvoosto
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthBwHIs3Af
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W7fWgEXO0
Rhénee799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsuwe3GLYA
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Bd3gdaRv
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSgsFKSPLB
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LhHAiEtE1
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46DFX8h9K3
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhCKBiouky
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRv3WeFXlc
"Thank799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp6SpPGpX0
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44wwBXbpP3
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhPN9pudIU
"Well, yes. I still think I would."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpankPMKQn6
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIsEBl2L2v
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGmHJQcVUr
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA18omUnp1
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp904DZA1f
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsMiiYGykC
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYiRE84i1H
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGpJBGatcw
"Coffee will be lovely."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MD4vPLepg
Miss799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hlubpO97X
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9ttgbolsf
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZa11QVrV4
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnVUcY63kU
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyId1teRM0
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqNIz5EDfq
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFeiMCbXxw
"What mysterious person?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVYMNYUeW0
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnrsuM73e3
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVK117L0EG
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4oK5YenPO
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b1KbvieEe
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwM1zWZfym
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMNnZNl3at
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcuugj9GdA
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIUVw240fM
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYg7DSZila
The799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIKM7v2MJn
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlTR0DBEvF
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEUqLHje6w
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaeN9zjYqM
of this.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxzTqwERDw
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN1hQfLSG3
"I...799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcV0ma0iJl
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmi3Gt4fxQ
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsICsv6tW0x
frustration. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xmUyJ1kSm
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5wq3nN8NU
Rhénee799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyBJP5ZLPT
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aF5EKhsqI
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiChDgEyqW
cups on the tray and wondered. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTMcbljbYG
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7RbiblY1y
799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsxaVWa7sm
As799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Kw0bvidXW
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUmIyvwTKq
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubP8qLgKxI
reminder kept ringing in her head.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23MwLL9Mcg
"And tell your friends not to get involved."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sIWUfCu7G
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0A7cmJxyR
"I799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdmZTC0VhF
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNjTVXb4ty
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGvErogPtu
talking about, Rhénee?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW8k1leFHS
Rhénee799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt2X1HOxXr
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YezDmRoNV
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkQx1mNgt4
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0wvBqF3oP
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlnps1fUCi
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rmTelg4Fm
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIpvvDcTYw
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW92MZUMosj
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkOA3Gs92w
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTFrF3zH6b
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIdEyE4Yzp
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsuS7TcDTM
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTXoStb4eY
***799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWhM0vfhe0
Sweat799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkbLqTht4z
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M6RFSBtdH
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboPjSTmgMj
the person waiting never likes to wait.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECJ2SjHVok
He799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfuch8Jj49
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxTzT5yY8d
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxo6B9ObQp
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJzKLvhtCw
second.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrTFRyRuBW
He799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGksDgLcmyQ
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ISJtUrZOA
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu7wbprNSi
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsGcsuZpoQ
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMzH7Hgr9W
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRUYMtmAMm
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPtXsNcT3n
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxUgCRyiSo
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd3q1NnNLv
"You're late, again."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNttEx9aQ0
His799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKuoSRcGQl
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlWBWOayq0
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngM595Tz6f
lion door knob. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqICWK18Imu
He799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrLovCCoXV
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ArPhtT3zX
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoAUhZhov1
"What799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7duIGiLmp
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsLy856CPk
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqXP15gUl0
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneq78Fe9RC
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDpGHATr8i
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPlarbvptA
A799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx6V9vZzLx
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFejQ6Kxr1r
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJD8h3vNhs
as they had their backs towards the window.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcXSRNCtGK
"You know we need him," said the tall man.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4ODVSFx9h
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYQR9VRtNk
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSNAynCLMT
The799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLS5QTqIgT
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oeGaR0BOW
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hTIjo6XB0
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq03crjfCm
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIjpZ6XMBQ
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1dpFWP9YA
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x0VuTbOG8
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpEU5I8u4l
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYmAQ2PjmW
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2oNyNfE7p
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9udm4awSmE
"What if she reveals the truth?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWPvBPHqlj
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkVdnbMZ0i
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHjXwce35L
For a moment, silence hung over them.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUnUtTvrL5
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsrx30yE7r
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBanAP72qa
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHnTckrs35
"I799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OCGcXpYME
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78XltMPZnO
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlYuVVCbV2
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEp1o9Cmqu
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjV4WEsf8g
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PLbHeRB4R
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO4AQ7VXXL
***799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIybUYOzOA
The799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Feb6nbcWS
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GyE3q0rO5
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKvsmYI73l
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnyDPY0ciI
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ94eQKAm3p
they met, they seemed sky blue.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm16JsjBQpa
And799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vidScvJBy
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHNkuXguJS
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RqHYStHA4
Rhénee799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXTiuXL8k8
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLfU8RR2Bn
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhJJrPR1Tj
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtBXTpD0a5
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYafKiYSxkP
coffee table in the middle.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzho99QQo2
When799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUkiyrZUJU
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYcjgDbu29
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX9JHlLiN3
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBW9sqcfmT
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSDwDHh3aP
"Are you sure?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexEUqugqK3
"Yes, I'm positive."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffnpuzN0l0
Miss799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qWAXxbdoE
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddPtKB2riU
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn3Pyz15nm
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaZg9GSlTo
from their cups.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Icj01rxZM
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAMuUbPhUX
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCknJle61DL
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjPBl9bgmx
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGvt8IWCpe
"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.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU81iPAteS
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Co5SQCwj8
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57xPsFjFPU
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrHdxDlxUf
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ7NBrmw0q
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtWBLOHfrq
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6c4mCPtvk
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLFPKhcgPX
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmBvzGGAON
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltmUNQ236B
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5WeXyO9CB
"Oh,799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IFMv3eeBB
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL2VKZxL56
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSvRr5Cfy7
who he is."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMD1AtH733
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWe581ESI5
Rhénee799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgdwMBuE9x
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPsbJQIaSU
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lMThIXo3u
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlYbaiMxGW
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFsisIzj2B
Rhénee799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wQ3erZN8U
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6aKIjOVNs
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbqBC4k69r
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo1TtD4zJV
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIinzs6qrr
"Fine,799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HQlkPI1J2
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiVybnr9h4
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8yCpojjyQ
or die if you stay by me."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkvfho89UB
