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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsBuKbHn1m
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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:278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnDZ1Ew8Jo
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"What is it, Greta?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhBiMhwP71
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Her mouth fell agape. "How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihlnHghSK7
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV5ODCUac4
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"Well, you guessed right."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYDHN8MHWu
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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?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfJIHd1jPK
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"We were going to figure something out," said Rhénee.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6O7FX8ELt
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Miss Griselda scoffed. "You sound just like your grandmother."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlaqt3V7TV
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow as she looked at Miss Griselda. The cat that sat on her lap raised its head.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2stZDAPKc
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"Well, let's be grateful that everything worked according to plan," said Kevin.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX4GyFg5uS
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Miss Griselda didn't say anything as she folded her arms. Rhénee could only imagine how upset she is.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQZwpDWsYd
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lZ1Qn28mW
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"Really? My lies aren't that convincing, you know?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRcwLgRI4u
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"It was when you explained the reason why I had to have my shirt changed. Just do it, and quickly."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqixzrgjdk
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"Okay, okay. You're putting me under more pressure than she does."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjXVXIuITn
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2tgIdpmUv
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"Hello, Greta?" Mrs. Derrand's hurried voice came through the speaker. "Thank goodness. I was really worried about you."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMSmmHqGjs
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzMhaFmJ4b
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"And what of your brother? I've been trying to reach him too."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9JetzGr1h
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIdl6K6eMl
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFQXuAWyVr
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V1Z3By1se
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"We know. We got a little carried away. Sorry about that."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FQjJIOcfi
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"Are you coming home now?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrioxr8FAe
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORij7CxWyV
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ0ivC3JMV
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Greta heard her mother mutter in frustration. "Fine. Will you want us to save your supper for when you return?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQnYiqbpWH
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv79DeEH0l
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"Alright. But be safe. I'll wait up for you."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWyX6Mkyip
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnst7pyKZsX
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"You see. You've become a very good liar in just one day," said Malcom.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3UV05MIUh
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbONm08T49o
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"Have you already forgotten that we have someone in the trunk?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ17iTAbFH
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"There's someone in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW6ckSgxlK
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"I didn't forget," said Kevin as he smiled at Malcom.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBwOMBjmjt
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"Who's in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked as she gave Rhénee and Greta a stern look.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIVWe0oKNt
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"Don't ask me. Rhénee said that we take him with us," said Greta.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaMiWu9I8G
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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?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIURZzYXI36
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"Me?" Miss Griselda asked, now looking cornered. "What makes you think I know?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWY5zk4DJp
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaatIn0aWcz
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAjDRlMZAH
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"Then it's a good thing that we've got someone in the trunk who can help us."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk9JzHCjyT
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"And where do you expect to keep him?" Miss Griselda asked, knowing fully well the answer to that question.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMtmabcBC0
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"Our basement, of course," Rhénee answered without a care in the world.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fxuJG1rWv
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"If we do that, they might come to your place," said Kevin. "They will know we have him."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRo9M1WrV6
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"Well, why can't we just kill him after everything's done?" Greta asked.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzqtHBhLQU
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Miss Griselda shook her head. "You are all talking about killing like it's a game."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXvtsvQaWd
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY5MxsMEIu
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"And what if he doesn't give you what you want? What then?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy05KZbhptx
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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?278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGZShO2HDV
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"We'll figure it out," said Malcom. "Rhénee isn't alone in this."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE298inBfHO
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"You know, when Emelda told you to protect Rhénee, it didn't mean kidnapping people," Miss Griselda scorned.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYGjoSVfxx
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwWOHLfOUJ
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"Malcom, you don't have to-" Rhénee started to say something but was quickly interrupted.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU78WX6gIa7
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdUxb22Z8s
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkyjgTlVl8
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT0iV6Bq1A
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"Home sweet home," she muttered to herself. She has had a long day.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt21Z0IemLM
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3aTRmuBrM
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ3quqOfoE
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNMLdsVLgF
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLoTsizskQ
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"Malcom and I will carry him into the house," said Kevin. "You can open the door for us."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOadoUFBnQd
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm3beMpjQF
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She quickly pulled out her gun, tucked behind her trousers. The others behind her saw.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79zs6w52up
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"What is it, Rhénee?" Miss Griselda asked, sounding terrified.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJESfaH9h5
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"Stay here," Rhénee warned. "Someone is in the house."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89AELl7P0v
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGOfQdqEMg
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"Are you sure someone is in there?" he asked.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZJ0Qp5dIy
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzneRltbPcW
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"I'll lead the way."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov3ImBw53g
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"No," Rhénee said, holding Malcom’s shoulder. "I'll go."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoglRnn80K
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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?278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOsF3YdsIR
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF0VFmMklR
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iT63Eu3Bi
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs6mL6ioZR
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlBLle9hWE
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"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked, still with her gun pointed at whoever it was in the room.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3mS8hMxHZ
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsppNhA3Af
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFk9dOXLyv
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"What are you doing here, Mr. Sinclair?" Malcom asked this time around.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pdk6FQymQ
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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?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHpKfihExV
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Rhénee slowly dropped her arms. "You also have another set of keys to the house?" she asked.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj8X0OwZnN
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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?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaa8s93fAh
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRSrPpGHiL
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"Who is he?" Rhénee asked, her eyes looking straight at the stranger.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TDkRLdksX
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZEzy0BrFG
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaezqHG3Uev
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cMCtlUsyh
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"You don't seem surprised that I'm holding a gun, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUCLfuPGlL
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Sinclair adjusted in his seat as he answered, "I'm not."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp8CdjekGa
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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?278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4ymDLvJrc
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"Are you serious?" Rhénee could hear Miss Griselda in the foyer, along with a set of footsteps.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7ybEjePcL
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"You can see for yourself," said Malcom.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKN6byvmLo
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWghvsTdwc5
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"Long time no see, Griselda," came the breathy voice of the man in the corner.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kHbhlhpdy
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Rhénee turned to look at Miss Griselda. "You know him?" she asked.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY4LCQVk0C
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAou4Qavd8p
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"So I've been told." Rhénee looked at Mr. Sinclair.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHwB7sAsN2
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"Please sit down, all of you," said Mr. Sinclair.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHAP6qZtlb
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnD0nh67wj
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"Aren't you going to sit, Rhénee?" Sinclair asked.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtDWdAIcTL
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"You already know what happened tonight, don't you?" Rhénee asked.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKDbhsTXZK
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Those who were seated looked at Mr. Sinclair, looking a little surprised. Greta's mouth fell open.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeEXcOVimy
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"Of course," he answered, giving a curt nod of his head.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicjZeaVksb
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"That means you've always known what's been going on?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvD76ltRgn
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"I don't think so. It's why I'm here."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7VUqIrsad
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhLCoR7jdo
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Sinclair cleared his throat before asking, "Would anyone mind telling me where you all were?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYinl1Y8fT
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"We aren’t children for you to be asking us such a question," Rhénee pointed out.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdUX1lyFkd
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5RgrTmgu9
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Malcom is the first to speak after a moment of silence: "We were out in the woods."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU6ACIKP3w
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlbxxjaulJ
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"Rhénee, please calm down," said Miss Griselda as she laid a hand on Rhénee’s knee.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7kUJuu1Ay
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxR0tLrMjF
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"As much as I am your lawyer—you might not like to hear this—I am responsible for you."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyum34swxIP
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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?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTiFpofCfu
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Sinclair put up a smug smile. "What hell?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorWqoinjRN
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTkJUd1XJ2
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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?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyA0q7hVTZ
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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?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEipmXSQYD4
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"It depends."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzqbb05DK0
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"On what?" Rhénee folded her arms.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSgytYHwTX
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"On you telling me why you were out in the woods and whatever has been going on."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbeTsa95Wc
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhPJP4ewn9
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh52t2nwoXc
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Rhénee stopped. "Are we going to be serious about this or not?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFWG9HgWDD
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJSoXUQZKw
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"You know about that?" Greta asked, surprised.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j2N5DBVu4
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"I have eyes and ears." Sinclair smiled at her.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPcCDNCMDb
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"I’m guessing he told you." Kevin’s eyes flew to the man in the coat.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8uDzHNUey
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"He just happened to be nearby when he heard the ruckus."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY0L4BNGtV
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"Wait, if he was there, how did he find himself here before us?" Rhénee asked.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkj4Sqdn89
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVjiD6n0ni
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hJVtYR2lV
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"So are you going to tell me why there was a shootout?" Sinclair asked, bringing Rhénee back from her thoughts.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhcfs4TcDx
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4XSMdZ1fw
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIlTC3pjGd
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNrrJ7DnjX
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJqeOSvADm
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"So, anyone mind telling me?" Sinclair asked as he looked at each one seated.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEkYwjD408
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUw2Rzavmc
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufAUCjTHAh
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"I’m not saying anything on that one," Sinclair said. "Please continue." Rhénee almost hissed at him.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N2HjMPdDQ
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82CrpkGFw4
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"We better take that man out of that trunk," Sinclair suggested.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9gB9Uo832
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"I agree," said Miss Griselda. Rhénee couldn’t help but wonder why she answered so quickly.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VV0VRieTf
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"Kevin, let's go get him," said Malcom.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIu90DSbE2
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSpoDseRgX
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"You came with a car?" Greta asked. "We saw no car in the driveway."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruO0WSJZKt
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"And why put him in his car?" Rhénee asked. "I need to question him first."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa89HzLCbQM
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVojELbpdd
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"Then why aren’t you letting me?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JQCrS4S96
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl7iISoRFE
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmpwQrmQYb
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"Aren’t you now going to tell me what’s going on?" Rhénee asked after the others had left.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLijtwX3vE
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"I will. But not now." Sinclair quickly stood from his seat as he adjusted the glasses on his face.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk95qhJFiS
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"No fair," Rhénee quickly said, standing in front of him. "We had a deal."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rXyONy7og
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"A deal, yes. And I will deliver my part tomorrow."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpEcrIA82T
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"No. I want you to say it right here and now."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH4frFrxT3
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT90t3PfiUH
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MNB0Z7p0u
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"I called her and told her not to worry," Greta answered as she slowly stood, looking nervously at Sinclair.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRVmvugjTm
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzqvpMY14W
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto8qcdMb9R
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"What are you going to do to the man in the trunk?" Rhénee asked.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VzaAinlVX
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"He’ll be well taken care of. I also have to question him."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQkFKy7rSH
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"And you think you’ll make him talk?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtxPacG1vH
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"The man I came with has mad skills at making people talk."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ446CeYyoNI
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJG943dloB
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Sinclair smiled. "No, you aren’t kids. Doing what you did today proves that."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxXT2v6R20
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtUNbPjRTw
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeU9sx6Etl
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyIKu3mq2d
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After Sinclair walked out through the front door, Rhénee turned to Greta.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64tPELA6hx
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GfWEhSxu7
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rbJ78QiUO
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0KjkDoMeo
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"Will do," said Rhénee.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjjInQWEjK
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgphoSw7tWH
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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?278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlmpRCAQYH
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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?278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h5jnMfcyb
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCE6D7NSqX
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"Hey, are you okay?" Kevin asked.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJIEynkYkn
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVq7SJm73h
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G7pp9d1dv
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"And what about you?" Malcom asked. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXZdVUyo5J
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq760tNdCl
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"Well, we did have quite a day," said Malcom. "I’m starving too."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC14JIz1x4Q
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPySLlhybLc
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***278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprnhFYfKMy
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9B5E8rWod
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf7JFxlfQS
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK1tE8IKiJ
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSuDrtL8P9
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"I couldn’t sleep," Miss Marie answered him, "we have a visitor."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGUu40wcTJ
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"A visitor? Who?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDPx10LtLJ
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN4PWQQBPD
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"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Miguel asked.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsvjbnLZLK
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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?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdiuEzwJ92
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***278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjceoTyHlr
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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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduvMuANy7z
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"I thought you were going to introduce yourself to Rhénee back there," said Sinclair.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeK3YwZ5Wg
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"It wasn’t necessary," the man answered. "Besides, there will be time for that later."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fpofjEkUc
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Sinclair looked at the closed lid. "Or is it that she reminds you of Emelda?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIV6bgQ35N3
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs87txBqsZh
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmfrmf7nFx
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"Stubbornness?"278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUatFlnqMg
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Sinclair smiled. You've got that right."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wRzSsAbBC
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"What do you want me to do with him?" the man asked, looking at the closed trunk.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhuIpSNFIz
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"Get any information out of him, then dump him."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gfhT8V56w
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"You weren't going to let Rhénee interrogate him, were you?" The man raised an eyebrow at Sinclair.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QRQYor7wT
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Sinclair scoffed. "Not in a million years."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CudRTNmkr
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2ol6xclZX
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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."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2c3LFeNcZ
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"You got it."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqhCqYSldN
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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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