Greta gasped as she looked at her phone. She found many missed calls from her mother, not to mention texts as well, asking if she was still at Rhénee's house. She must be worried sick about us, Greta thought.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO7ZHtH1ws
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Her eyes flew to the back of Malcom’s head, and she wondered how she was going to tell him. Instead, she heard him say:325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ8av0GVIY
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"What is it, Greta?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqUcPrp7Fr
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Her mouth fell agape. "How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgokHIcQ8d
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"You're looking at your phone, and I can only imagine that our mother has been trying to get in contact with us."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIsRvwekbW
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"Well, you guessed right."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ867U9sbLyM
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"Oh, dear," said Miss Griselda, who sat in between Rhénee and Greta in the backseat. "She must be worried sick. And what if anything had happened to you with the stunt that you pulled back there?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZmA1nQGqw
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"We were going to figure something out," said Rhénee.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrkZNSUqVD
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Miss Griselda scoffed. "You sound just like your grandmother."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwIwfwrUyj
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow as she looked at Miss Griselda. The cat that sat on her lap raised its head.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk1ulHfIp6
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"Well, let's be grateful that everything worked according to plan," said Kevin.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2Pm2XpfO7
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Miss Griselda didn't say anything as she folded her arms. Rhénee could only imagine how upset she is.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejm6xlDCX5
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"You better give her a call, Greta," Malcom told his sister. "You come up with a lie that will convince her why you didn't pick up."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh4yu3BHjh
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"Really? My lies aren't that convincing, you know?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHaHRE1FO7
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"It was when you explained the reason why I had to have my shirt changed. Just do it, and quickly."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc3ol8ryM0
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"Okay, okay. You're putting me under more pressure than she does."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tA1ejmOvv
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Greta made a few taps on her phone and placed it close to her ear. The ringing tone came through, and immediately her mother picked up on the other end.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHpFNAr33U
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"Hello, Greta?" Mrs. Derrand's hurried voice came through the speaker. "Thank goodness. I was really worried about you."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H1UhORg7P
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"I'm fine, mum. I had left the phone in the living room and went to Rhénee's room to check something out. You know, girl stuff."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu57WFg0ebM
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"And what of your brother? I've been trying to reach him too."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPpD2P8DIa
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"Uh... I left him to check out the study. Rhénee must be with him now since we came down from her room together."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JPuhue4jA
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"I thought of the worst when you didn’t pick up my calls. I told you not to stay out too long."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTVSfh3sfe
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"We know. We got a little carried away. Sorry about that."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeMereG6Ph
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"Are you coming home now?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYVEB64V3Z
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Greta noticed her brother raise his hand to grab her attention while at the same time shaking his head. It looks like he heard.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFjfhxijTj
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"Uh, we were wondering if we could stay for a little longer. You know, just to keep Rhénee company. And plus, she's really fun to be around."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgaGn88DYc
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Greta heard her mother mutter in frustration. "Fine. Will you want us to save your supper for when you return?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31LkJqbexm
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"No, Miss Griselda already made us something, as she insisted that we stay for supper. I bet that's why we've taken so long."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rTagzE3c1
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"Alright. But be safe. I'll wait up for you."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkSv1BaA2x
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"No, mum, you don't need to..." Greta heard the cracking sound on the line and knew her mother had hung up. She let out a sigh of relief.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykpTUJf4RJ
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"You see. You've become a very good liar in just one day," said Malcom.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMAFt5ihmj
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Greta rolled her eyes. "If only she knew what's really going on. Why can't we leave immediately after dropping off the others? Mum might start getting suspicious."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5jYcFeeaP
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"Have you already forgotten that we have someone in the trunk?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9JdBwHrN0
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"There's someone in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUqjoYL46d
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"I didn't forget," said Kevin as he smiled at Malcom.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS3CDzhi5E
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"Who's in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked as she gave Rhénee and Greta a stern look.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0BPcTT2Kb
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"Don't ask me. Rhénee said that we take him with us," said Greta.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBF6rAkTyq
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"He has the answers to who we faced on the bridge and why," said Rhénee. "Or do you mind telling us?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T1eEX91Ua
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"Me?" Miss Griselda asked, now looking cornered. "What makes you think I know?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjcE4knZlf
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"Because the same people we met at the bridge are the same people who left the finger in your bathroom with that note and set up a trap for us at Mr. Cowell's place. Something tells me you know who they are."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D5NKgxdmt
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"I don't know what you're talking about, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda. "I can assure you that I don't know who was at that bridge. The only person I knew there was Mr. Cowell."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQZbzThHJ1
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"Then it's a good thing that we've got someone in the trunk who can help us."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLVtekohg9
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"And where do you expect to keep him?" Miss Griselda asked, knowing fully well the answer to that question.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESLzlZgYmG
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"Our basement, of course," Rhénee answered without a care in the world.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV2JU2uFGp
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"If we do that, they might come to your place," said Kevin. "They will know we have him."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTYK68MhEn
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"Well, why can't we just kill him after everything's done?" Greta asked.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ81BIXrGk
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Miss Griselda shook her head. "You are all talking about killing like it's a game."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLCjF2Uq8C
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"They started it," said Rhénee. "I just want to know what's going on. And the man in the boot holds some answers."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo16DsWMSwt
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"And what if he doesn't give you what you want? What then?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnC8V6VkeM
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That's a good question, and everyone knew that. They have to find a way to make him talk. But then the hard part follows. What will they do to him afterwards?325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ3AVAnxBU
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"We'll figure it out," said Malcom. "Rhénee isn't alone in this."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhluHHvF8hM
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"You know, when Emelda told you to protect Rhénee, it didn't mean kidnapping people," Miss Griselda scorned.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTeiPBIrCm
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"Just like Rhénee put it, these people started it. And it's not like the late Emelda left us a list of people who might do Rhénee harm. I'll take care of the man in the trunk if that's okay with everyone."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmDFtkQPsI
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"Malcom, you don't have to-" Rhénee started to say something but was quickly interrupted.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx2rTf60mF
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"Don't try and convince me, Rhénee." Malcom looked at her through the corner of his eye. "Besides, I owe you for earlier. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVr0BbFtMr
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Rhénee continued to look at Malcom and didn't know what to say. She felt terrible that she had to drag him into this mess.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA78nydRUj
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She looked out the window, and it was then that she realized that they were finally approaching her house. They had all been arguing with Miss Griselda that she had lost track of where they were.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4r6aPZh8G
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"Home sweet home," she muttered to herself. She has had a long day.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pHk213Kxq
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Malcom drove the car to the front gate, and Kevin got out of the car to open it and got back into the car. The car drove to the front of the house, bypassing the fountain.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqqT57JwiV
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Rhénee was the first to come out after Malcom killed the engine, and Miss Griselda followed after her. Greta and Kevin came out next. Rhénee had Sophie in her arms, and the cat jumped to the ground soon afterwards, heading to the front door of the house.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgP9ZyG6cE
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"Well, we need to get the man out," said Rhénee as she went to the trunk. Malcom had already opened it from inside the car.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZGsosEyXt
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Kevin joined her, and when Rhénee opened it, the man still lay there. She checked to see if he was breathing. He still is.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv5EcOdsxF
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"Malcom and I will carry him into the house," said Kevin. "You can open the door for us."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4va79YZ0EE
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Rhénee gave him a nod and went towards the house. She found Sophie by the doorstep, looking eagerly up at the door as if waiting for someone to open it. Rhénee stopped as she noticed lights in the living room. Strange. She knows she left the place dark before leaving with Miss Griselda to Mr. Cowell's.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9UiPDWgia
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She quickly pulled out her gun, tucked behind her trousers. The others behind her saw.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsb2k9Jx58
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"What is it, Rhénee?" Miss Griselda asked, sounding terrified.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxUDM3nBOk
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"Stay here," Rhénee warned. "Someone is in the house."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7r02HVagF
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Miss Griselda gasped, and Greta, who stood close to her, held her shoulder. Malcom quickly came to join Rhénee, also pulling out his gun.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0ZpkRbzPa
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"Are you sure someone is in there?" he asked.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh3RgU4ww5
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"We left the lights off when we left," Rhénee replied, staring blankly at the front door. "Someone is in there. I'm sure of it."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx1Jj5wakd
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"I'll lead the way."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgejouufZW3
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"No," Rhénee said, holding Malcom’s shoulder. "I'll go."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eFEhINaX6
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Before Malcom could protest, Rhénee silently and swiftly went for the front door, opening it without making much of a sound as she turned the door knob. She paused as she slowly opened the door to look into the foyer. Strange. She and Miss Griselda had left the door locked. The person in the house came in through the front. But how, and without breaking the door open?325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUszHtPuwZ
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She didn’t have time to think about that. Right now, she has whoever it is to take care of. Ask questions later. She swung the door open and silently stepped into the foyer, with Malcom coming in behind her.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNPlY8ALBE
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The hall is partially dark, except for the lights coming in through the living room to their left. Rhénee turned to Malcom and pointed towards the open entrance to the living room. She leaned against the wall, and with her gun raised, she slowly and quietly walked. Malcom slowly came behind her. So far, they heard no movement coming from the living room, but they had to be careful.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmKlfXDV8b
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As soon as they reached the entrance, they stopped. Rhénee turned to Malcom and jerked her head, signalling to him that she would go in first. Malcom didn't seem to like the idea, but in the position they were in, now wasn't the time to argue.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPM9cGFFAU
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Rhénee took a deep breath and quickly swung herself with her arms outstretched, looking into the living room. Malcom was supposed to follow after her, but the expression on her face made him think otherwise.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmpoS7wA2U
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"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked, still with her gun pointed at whoever it was in the room.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpFnI43k3Y
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"Well, that's a nice way to greet your lawyer," said Mr. Sinclair, seated on one of the chairs with his arms folded and his leg crossed over the other.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fA4TqYsF4
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Malcom stepped out of the shadows and found Mr. Sinclair smiling at Rhénee. He didn't seem at all fazed that she was holding a gun and pointing it straight at him.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8NGidxzrJ
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"What are you doing here, Mr. Sinclair?" Malcom asked this time around.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kvJIA37Wt
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Sinclair looked at Malcom with an eyebrow raised. "I should be asking you the same question," he said. "Is your paranoid mother okay with you staying out so late?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9HTLJmu2p
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Rhénee slowly dropped her arms. "You also have another set of keys to the house?" she asked.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbZDzIw9GS
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Sinclair smiled at her. "I do. I came to check up on you but found the place deserted. Tell me, did you guys go on some trip?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofgLSOYy2M
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Rhénee couldn’t help but feel there was sarcasm in his voice. It was then that she realized that there was another person in the corner of the room.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvGt32gkFN
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"Who is he?" Rhénee asked, her eyes looking straight at the stranger.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHLQpCHI61
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"A good friend of your late grandmother," Sinclair answered. "Please, bring the others in. They must be wondering what's going on."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yyv5UUPiB
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Malcom turned to Rhénee. She gave a nod without looking at him, and he quickly stepped out of the living room. Sophie had finally appeared in the living room, behind Rhénee, and went behind one of the sofas.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdXPHIICKg
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Sinclair and Rhénee continued to look at each other. He had an amused smile on his face, and she had a rather serious one. Rhénee couldn’t help but feel that after this encounter, their relationship was bound to take an unexpected turn.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LFBYzsfkV
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"You don't seem surprised that I'm holding a gun, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFhzZmsnXF
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Sinclair adjusted in his seat as he answered, "I'm not."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVymIh4xu0u
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Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows, showing her displeasure. What is he really doing here? she wondered. Rhénee knew it was more than just checking up on her. Could he have known what's been going on?325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYX8CFqsPx
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"Are you serious?" Rhénee could hear Miss Griselda in the foyer, along with a set of footsteps.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mdkgk7bES
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"You can see for yourself," said Malcom.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuWTJ2mfUa
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Miss Griselda came into the living room with Greta beside her and gasped upon seeing Mr. Sinclair, who smiled at her. Her eyes soon turned to the person in the brown coat standing in the corner of the room. She looked at him as though she had seen a ghost.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdY6rIiXJs
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"Long time no see, Griselda," came the breathy voice of the man in the corner.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDa1PZ8f0j
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Rhénee turned to look at Miss Griselda. "You know him?" she asked.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfSipkNfVX
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"Yes," Miss Griselda answered as she briefly gave Rhénee a look before turning her eyes back to the man in the corner. "He was also a very good friend of your grandmother."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeNv54na03
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"So I've been told." Rhénee looked at Mr. Sinclair.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8WB0Z694C
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"Please sit down, all of you," said Mr. Sinclair.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxMFzwNG3B
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Miss Griselda and Greta looked at each other before complying. Kevin and Malcom, who still stood behind Rhénee, hesitated for a bit before making their way to the chairs. Rhénee, alongside the man in the corner, remained standing.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYq0zh4EUM
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"Aren't you going to sit, Rhénee?" Sinclair asked.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9nDRIIP8a
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"You already know what happened tonight, don't you?" Rhénee asked.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08157hrmS7
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Those who were seated looked at Mr. Sinclair, looking a little surprised. Greta's mouth fell open.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYkHfNWJIa
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"Of course," he answered, giving a curt nod of his head.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s3Vwcww6B
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"That means you've always known what's been going on?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpTQ3sOfDw
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"I don't think so. It's why I'm here."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDhs0SZV3e
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Rhénee wasn’t going to give Sinclair the satisfaction of looking confused. Tucking her gun away behind her trousers, she walked over to where Miss Griselda sat alongside Greta. Opposite them sat Malcom and Kevin. All eyes were on Sinclair as the room fell into a moment of silence.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6lQp4eJ2Y
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Sinclair cleared his throat before asking, "Would anyone mind telling me where you all were?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmWwlsKOCY
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"We aren’t children for you to be asking us such a question," Rhénee pointed out.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmZpdO4eb7
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"No, you aren’t. But it’s now late, and I find it strange to find Greta, Kevin, and Malcom here."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dzEG57dx0
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Malcom is the first to speak after a moment of silence: "We were out in the woods."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfdXBKesla
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Sinclair raised an eyebrow, but Rhénee could see right through him and sucked at her teeth loudly, grabbing everyone’s attention, including the man who stood in the corner.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmD0e95ZvD
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"Rhénee, please calm down," said Miss Griselda as she laid a hand on Rhénee’s knee.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUaCzR88Ih
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"Let’s stop all of this nonsense," said Rhénee, throwing daggers at Sinclair with her eyes, completely ignoring Miss Griselda. "Don’t try to act like a concerned guardian when you already know what’s going on."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PRDjxenfC
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"As much as I am your lawyer—you might not like to hear this—I am responsible for you."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRnjhUqTa6
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"If you’re responsible for me, wouldn’t you at least have given me a heads-up before I came here that I was going to go through all this hell?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGrt2FSnUR
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Sinclair put up a smug smile. "What hell?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV4WSAed88
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Rhénee did her best not to roll her eyes. "If you aren't going to act like the ‘concerned guardian,’ I’ll be leaving."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq0rDqifnA
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Rhénee stood, and before she could even turn around, Sinclair asked, "Then how many more people are you going to kill?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb9AmrJRsI
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"Then you do know," Rhénee said, throwing him a similar smug smile. "You do know who is doing this, don’t you?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfphzeVLyk9
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"It depends."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix6YnsDFBZ
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"On what?" Rhénee folded her arms.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CXpTGWeoQ
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"On you telling me why you were out in the woods and whatever has been going on."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmNGc0Q9sm
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Rhénee scoffed, shaking her head. "You asked me how many more people I will have to kill. My answer is, until I get to the bottom of what’s going on. So until then, whoever points a gun at me or the people I care about will receive the same treatment."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AdS3dZv4V
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Rhénee turned around, and before she could find herself in the hall, Sinclair muttered, "you’re just like your grandmother. Hold on, Rhénee."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzfeCcEe7L
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Rhénee stopped. "Are we going to be serious about this or not?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAzTHBfzPU
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"I know there was a shootout by the bridge tonight that you and your whole crew here," Sinclair said, looking at the other three seated, "instigated. What I don’t know is what it was all about."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnHf1vXS8f
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"You know about that?" Greta asked, surprised.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0RqCaEOev
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"I have eyes and ears." Sinclair smiled at her.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwk1Luk8bO
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"I’m guessing he told you." Kevin’s eyes flew to the man in the coat.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1CdSgQbNi
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"He just happened to be nearby when he heard the ruckus."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNrit7kFG3
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"Wait, if he was there, how did he find himself here before us?" Rhénee asked.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4oASDZt29
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"Trust me, I have no idea how he does his magic tricks. It’s annoying at first, but you’ll get used to it. He has stayed here long enough to know all the shortest routes possible."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70F5FTEsrx
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Rhénee looked at the man in the corner, and she could feel his dark eyes on her. The heavy brown coat with its collar reaching up to his face and the hat over his head made his face impossible to see. There was no hiding that he’s African American. He also wore heavy black gumboots. Lucky for him, he didn’t leave dirt stains on the carpet. If he did, Miss Griselda was going to have a hard time cleaning them out.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbLvaaenJC
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"So are you going to tell me why there was a shootout?" Sinclair asked, bringing Rhénee back from her thoughts.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PstFYuBCi
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"If we do, would you tell us why all this is happening and who is after me?" Rhénee asked, turning to face Sinclair.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx9OdVlzxA
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"Yes, but only what I think is relevant. Now, would you kindly sit down?" Sinclair gestured to the empty space she had occupied earlier beside Miss Griselda.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PYYoJuSXN
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Rhénee clicked her tongue. Relevant isn’t good enough, but she knew this exchange of information might prove to be a little helpful. That is, if Sinclair complies.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQvY32kchl
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She obliged slowly. As she went back to her seat, she felt uneasy. She now started to wonder what her lawyer could know. He was close to Emelda, and Rhénee felt he knew a lot more than she thought.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgnG9mqKpA
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"So, anyone mind telling me?" Sinclair asked as he looked at each one seated.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9a6L0v915
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Kevin went on to explain how he had passed by Mr. Cowell’s to check up on him since he didn’t show up for work. He also had to explain about the finger that they found in Miss Griselda’s bathroom and how they had thought it was Mr. Cowell’s. From there, Miss Griselda jumped in and explained the phone call she and Rhénee got from Kevin and how they got to Mr. Cowell’s house. As much as Rhénee didn’t want to pitch in, she explained what went on in the house and how she managed to take down the man they found there. She didn’t forget to mention that they still have him lying unconscious in the trunk. Sinclair couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTf5TntUrG
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"I did it so that I could get the truth out of him," Rhénee pointed out when she noticed the look he gave her.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9woF5Bt1kU
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"I’m not saying anything on that one," Sinclair said. "Please continue." Rhénee almost hissed at him.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xlaPdBWdA
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Malcom and Greta took it from there, explaining what happened afterwards in the woods. Sinclair listened with a smile on his face. Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows as she felt he was taking all of this in for fun.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugzpWZ9a1R
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"We better take that man out of that trunk," Sinclair suggested.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7Tiw1s7iK
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"I agree," said Miss Griselda. Rhénee couldn’t help but wonder why she answered so quickly.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY8ypJPjpk
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"Kevin, let's go get him," said Malcom.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84xrHRG5Cz
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"Once you get him out of there, put him in this man's car," said Sinclair, pointing to the man in the corner.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGo95ulIXs
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"You came with a car?" Greta asked. "We saw no car in the driveway."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVnEamUQq5
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"And why put him in his car?" Rhénee asked. "I need to question him first."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrGjzSeLDG
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Sinclair turned to Greta and said, "to answer your question, I parked it outside the premises." Then he gave Rhénee a look. "I know that you need to question him."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGk4glh925
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"Then why aren’t you letting me?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6RmIAaBFB
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"Because you’ll be wasting your time, trust me," Sinclair said, turning to the man on his left. "You can do likewise."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDOhoMsNPO
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The man in the corner grunted in response and started to make his way out. Rhénee watched him go around the chairs to lead the way outside. Malcom and Kevin followed him.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakLcCYQpz7
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"Aren’t you now going to tell me what’s going on?" Rhénee asked after the others had left.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgzLjFfUdW
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"I will. But not now." Sinclair quickly stood from his seat as he adjusted the glasses on his face.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26jOsIf4zn
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"No fair," Rhénee quickly said, standing in front of him. "We had a deal."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eQ5G3mU3J
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"A deal, yes. And I will deliver my part tomorrow."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7fNmOz1nR
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"No. I want you to say it right here and now."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T46nYQkQV
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Miss Griselda, with a worried look on her face, also stood and held Rhénee's shoulder. "Rhénee, calm down. Mr. Sinclair knows what he’s doing. Let’s wait for tomorrow."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPMcLWRZiX
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"If you haven’t noticed, Rhénee, it’s pretty late, and your friends have to go back to their respective homes," said Sinclair. He turned to Greta. "I’m surprised your mother isn’t here yet."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWTkOXBZbp
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"I called her and told her not to worry," Greta answered as she slowly stood, looking nervously at Sinclair.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW54w0pSSf
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"Good." He turned to Rhénee. "Don’t worry, I’ll keep my end of the bargain and tell you all you need to know. After hearing your story, something tells me you’ve been through a lot already."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIFh09pHRa
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Rhénee didn’t argue there. And the worst part is that even if they hadn’t told him what happened during the daytime, Rhénee had a funny feeling he already knew.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEUlUvAOer
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"What are you going to do to the man in the trunk?" Rhénee asked.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGcQI3WvXt
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"He’ll be well taken care of. I also have to question him."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIVoqJfFqL
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"And you think you’ll make him talk?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtoX8qD4o0
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"The man I came with has mad skills at making people talk."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABb4BCsyQj
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"You aren’t talking to children, Mr. Sinclair." Rhénee folded her arms, annoyed. "Just say you’re going to torture him."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPDMixw1K1
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Sinclair smiled. "No, you aren’t kids. Doing what you did today proves that."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaZr9EpvaS
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He started to make his way out of the living room when he stopped and said, "Oh, and we better talk about the cottage incident too."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1BhHrqcVf
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Miss Griselda and Greta looked like they were about to faint as they looked at Sinclair, who hadn't even turned to face them. Rhénee wasn’t moved in the slightest.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwvw0hDOTf
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Sinclair smiled and continued his way out of the house. He knew he didn't manage to impress or frighten Rhénee. Not when she was a lot like someone he knew.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHiQ1UAEa7
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After Sinclair walked out through the front door, Rhénee turned to Greta.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj5ftgnp8b
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"I think it’s about time you and Malcom got back home," she said. "Your mum might have bought the story that you stayed here for too long, but we can’t make her more worried than she already is."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WtaVFwNsm
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"You’re right," said Greta. "But can I get a bite to eat first? I told her that we ate here, and after all that drama, I’m starving."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtdo2wFyMp
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"Of course, we had something left over from supper and some apple pie," said Miss Griselda as she took hold of Greta’s arm and started to lead her to the kitchen. "You all must be hungry. Oh, Rhénee, tell the boys to come over to the kitchen once they get back. They’re probably hungry too."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOy4XSfNNO
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"Will do," said Rhénee.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h5T5OwPyo
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Greta and Miss Griselda disappeared behind the door of the kitchen, while Rhénee stood in between the living room and the foyer. She turned to the open front door. Malcom and Kevin weren’t going to be back anytime soon. Carrying a dead body is a big deal.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujyvG62pPJ
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Turning and facing the living room, she went over to the seat Sinclair had sat on and sat down, replaying everything that had happened when they got into the house. She never expected to find her late grandmother’s lawyer here. Being one of Emelda’s closest allies, there’s no doubt that he knew what'd been going on. And he even mentioned the cottage. Could he really know where all this is coming from? Including the necklace?325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p0jW0s8ea
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Speaking of the necklace, she started to wonder what connection it has to all this. Could it be that the man whom she speaks to over the phone is the one who gave it to her grandmother? If he did, why bother connecting it to the cottage?325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XiPmvslTs
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She sighed and rubbed her forehead, which started to ache. She thought that thinking would only make it worse. She has no choice but to trust Sinclair and hope that he will tell her what she needs to know.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHrNVX1SqO
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"Hey, are you okay?" Kevin asked.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8KaNeFG4K
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Rhénee looked up to see Kevin looking at her from the entrance of the living room. She hadn’t heard him come in, and she soon heard the sound of the front door closing and footsteps approaching. Malcom appeared behind Kevin, and just like his comrade, they all looked very tired.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaviG1pAEt
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"It’s nothing," Rhénee said as she slowly stood. "Miss Griselda wants you in the kitchen. She fears that you might be hungry. Greta is there."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccE9UN0Ajg
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"And what about you?" Malcom asked. 325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnri4eHvoDd
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"I might grab a slice of apple pie," she said, putting up a smile. "I’m hungry all over again." She knew if she refused, the two of them would carry her to the kitchen if they had to.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pjFUqeAug
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"Well, we did have quite a day," said Malcom. "I’m starving too."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKWlWVLEbc
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Rhénee slowly made her way to the kitchen, with Kevin close behind her. It was then that she realized just how tired she's been, as she felt her legs about to give in. But she pushed herself forward nonetheless.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s8plDDieo
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Miguel fumbled with his keys as he tried to open the door. His head hurt like hell, and his vision blurred a little after the hard hit he took to the head. Whatever had happened tonight at the bridge was a disaster. When the whole fiasco had ended and the enemy had soon fled, his boss finally came through, and like anyone would expect, he was not happy to be waking up to see one of his cars being burned to a crisp.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kqt5B6gl1
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After finding what he hoped might be the right key, Miguel slotted it into the keyhole and turned it. He heard the lock click and was thankful that the door opened. He entered the dark, quiet house, trying his best not to knock anything over in the small foyer as he closed the door behind him. Likewise, he turned on the lights and started to make his way to the stairs. Just as he was bypassing the living room, he stopped in his tracks. There was someone there, seated on the couch.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFablqqi2wx
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He stopped and went back up a little. The living room lights are off, but the lights from the foyer make out someone sitting on his grandmother’s seat. He reached for the switch on the wall of the living room and was surprised to see his grandmother staring back at him in her heavy brown coat.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5aokK2Gfs
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"Why are you up this late, grandma?" Miguel asked, looking at her with a surprised look on his face. "You almost scared me there."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpewwofdop
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"I couldn’t sleep," Miss Marie answered him, "we have a visitor."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaN2dPESuKg
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"A visitor? Who?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczu3HZXkDE
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Miguel followed Miss Marie’s eyes, and his jaw dropped. Seated on the other side of the living room couch is his best friend, Eugene, looking at him with discontent.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsDIW3RG8q
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"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Miguel asked.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwZ5nV4wjY
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"I came here to see you," Eugene answered, his stare now deadly. "But would you mind telling me where you have been?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8fINizTsT
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Sinclair looked down at the man tied up in the boot. He closed the lid afterwards and turned to the man in the heavy coat beside him. They stood outside the gates of Rhenee’s house. The trees and the darkness of the night hid them from sight. From afar, unless someone was approaching the car with headlights, you wouldn’t spot them until you came close enough.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQommCGIkY
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"I thought you were going to introduce yourself to Rhénee back there," said Sinclair.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOaHUXlM2X
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"It wasn’t necessary," the man answered. "Besides, there will be time for that later."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k69snc4c5
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Sinclair looked at the closed lid. "Or is it that she reminds you of Emelda?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb47bDcfCJ
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The man grunted. "Does it matter? The girl has spirit, that’s for sure. People might say she inherited her attitude from her father."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUnzbJZSl9
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"Well, that’s because they never knew Emelda. Rhénee might be like her father, but she’s passionate and caring like her grandmother. The three of them all share one similar trait, though."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpsBq0uUGR
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"Stubbornness?"325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42iqlwvRPI
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Sinclair smiled. You've got that right."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5uJ3tpkxN
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"What do you want me to do with him?" the man asked, looking at the closed trunk.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJbBanu0mP
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"Get any information out of him, then dump him."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvovOWyDXH
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"You weren't going to let Rhénee interrogate him, were you?" The man raised an eyebrow at Sinclair.325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyGlkTsz2P
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Sinclair scoffed. "Not in a million years."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjanoLQrpT
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The man gave a nod of the head. "Good call. I wouldn't want her to find out too much. The less she knows, the better."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshiidaqCEY
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"We're only doing this for her protection. Once I find out what's going on, I'll contact you. We've got to deal with this mess quickly."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bkyE3sfE0
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"You got it."325Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOmT76xGFa
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Sinclair parted ways as he went to his black Lamborghini parked behind the man’s car. The man went over to the driver’s seat of his car and switched on the engine, bringing the headlights on. Sinclair also did the same behind him. The man drove away straight down the road, while Sinclair turned the car the other way around and drove in the opposite direction.
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