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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkhJzTvZhp
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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:241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurHHBL5HOC
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"What is it, Greta?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBFRuESGIA
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Her mouth fell agape. "How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzgutCmWfm
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjG8VRbrv7
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"Well, you guessed right."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo2EXcIf7D
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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?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5R4zh1dmj
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"We were going to figure something out," said Rhénee.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0AWd4dRt7
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Miss Griselda scoffed. "You sound just like your grandmother."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsYDuYGC9i
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow as she looked at Miss Griselda. The cat that sat on her lap raised its head.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUcwcBSQrc
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"Well, let's be grateful that everything worked according to plan," said Kevin.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV5qux4uzR
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Miss Griselda didn't say anything as she folded her arms. Rhénee could only imagine how upset she is.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FtLMLDQUa
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAthWrhxFxi
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"Really? My lies aren't that convincing, you know?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMahzOPMQXe
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"It was when you explained the reason why I had to have my shirt changed. Just do it, and quickly."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh0xudy0KM
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"Okay, okay. You're putting me under more pressure than she does."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDquXZIfQH
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoTU4uC6t5
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"Hello, Greta?" Mrs. Derrand's hurried voice came through the speaker. "Thank goodness. I was really worried about you."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44ANlWk1d4
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd9jwn8raQ
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"And what of your brother? I've been trying to reach him too."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6R0LjKFC5
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUr74i7P5u
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pKbZs1DeC
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"We know. We got a little carried away. Sorry about that."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6CpOZxThy
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"Are you coming home now?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlXy2gjktY
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKdgmssWmK
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAtyJM4z14
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Greta heard her mother mutter in frustration. "Fine. Will you want us to save your supper for when you return?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqly0pipTD
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbiPGE4Z9E
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"Alright. But be safe. I'll wait up for you."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1iHyoeosZ
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gIQ7uKs1Z
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"You see. You've become a very good liar in just one day," said Malcom.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxgRvFv4JS
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGawg4043lu
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"Have you already forgotten that we have someone in the trunk?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFzyyDIeHx
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"There's someone in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusKX1S4vnL
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"I didn't forget," said Kevin as he smiled at Malcom.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhznPi7ClRs
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"Who's in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked as she gave Rhénee and Greta a stern look.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy3E1P4k0d
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"Don't ask me. Rhénee said that we take him with us," said Greta.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5rC8HTEIM
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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?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5cl7FwGGg
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"Me?" Miss Griselda asked, now looking cornered. "What makes you think I know?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr4v59L1cn
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCfGMSjsj3
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTORQg2QzSP
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"Then it's a good thing that we've got someone in the trunk who can help us."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9YZJTRG5E
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"And where do you expect to keep him?" Miss Griselda asked, knowing fully well the answer to that question.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7R2Woe1sI
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"Our basement, of course," Rhénee answered without a care in the world.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c8pv4GWha
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"If we do that, they might come to your place," said Kevin. "They will know we have him."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ka9iA8fHb
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"Well, why can't we just kill him after everything's done?" Greta asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWLLwjFBNM
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Miss Griselda shook her head. "You are all talking about killing like it's a game."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRW696GQX1
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlFgJHtkf0
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"And what if he doesn't give you what you want? What then?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie5nWSMY5F
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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?241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOvwpRBCeY
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"We'll figure it out," said Malcom. "Rhénee isn't alone in this."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VvPdqhuwC
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"You know, when Emelda told you to protect Rhénee, it didn't mean kidnapping people," Miss Griselda scorned.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz4AmK33j2
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5kEmS8OEF
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"Malcom, you don't have to-" Rhénee started to say something but was quickly interrupted.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXKQ5DActw
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWsodjA039
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpATiPU9gI1
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ofFGhOm1v
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"Home sweet home," she muttered to herself. She has had a long day.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W8cgELbLq
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84ziYO7uQW
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXT01v3UVy
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHZEClgEGI
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJi1McuCPe
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"Malcom and I will carry him into the house," said Kevin. "You can open the door for us."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv8n3IqUK5
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcuAwpocJb
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She quickly pulled out her gun, tucked behind her trousers. The others behind her saw.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37gw6i5u7j
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"What is it, Rhénee?" Miss Griselda asked, sounding terrified.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcblf1owFE
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"Stay here," Rhénee warned. "Someone is in the house."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v9NrI665t
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlHkRB3Rqk
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"Are you sure someone is in there?" he asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu5KGXfT1m
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7kT2K4QD5
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"I'll lead the way."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgQ3y9VS1J
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"No," Rhénee said, holding Malcom’s shoulder. "I'll go."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8pfQgZiEL
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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?241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylz2EWPcqX
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UxLAjN5dw
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGFRAdhQBg
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWMj7e70QM
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSY36JCvLr
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"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked, still with her gun pointed at whoever it was in the room.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl741zU29t
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPdD5AtUK1
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbk0cknTxc
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"What are you doing here, Mr. Sinclair?" Malcom asked this time around.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L2dV0IM95
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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?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnYQudlwYH
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Rhénee slowly dropped her arms. "You also have another set of keys to the house?" she asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaVi8piFqd
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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?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9NwlxiAb3
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75HyCknXFK
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"Who is he?" Rhénee asked, her eyes looking straight at the stranger.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqoGmhmjoK
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEAYPaL798
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hBRvmBp58
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8FQXeBUcq
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"You don't seem surprised that I'm holding a gun, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseUJ7Q3ND1
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Sinclair adjusted in his seat as he answered, "I'm not."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvwHdaYJlC
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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?241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9IFPzvir4
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"Are you serious?" Rhénee could hear Miss Griselda in the foyer, along with a set of footsteps.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhkkT1nERv
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"You can see for yourself," said Malcom.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFBEj1kFM9
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg5YxKeR0v
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"Long time no see, Griselda," came the breathy voice of the man in the corner.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcSfOkWix2
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Rhénee turned to look at Miss Griselda. "You know him?" she asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFRViWq7ei
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjkPAJ6f8W
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"So I've been told." Rhénee looked at Mr. Sinclair.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKEu4cuFTR
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"Please sit down, all of you," said Mr. Sinclair.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LdhqdXjLb
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqyMsUh9ct
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"Aren't you going to sit, Rhénee?" Sinclair asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbug8Z8a8xX
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"You already know what happened tonight, don't you?" Rhénee asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q1A5XAXbw
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Those who were seated looked at Mr. Sinclair, looking a little surprised. Greta's mouth fell open.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmmswCqEDj
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"Of course," he answered, giving a curt nod of his head.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqglr8hoTPc
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"That means you've always known what's been going on?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHSimlPe4z
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"I don't think so. It's why I'm here."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqVUUEOuMc
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCBcBwoHpP
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Sinclair cleared his throat before asking, "Would anyone mind telling me where you all were?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd9V5aFwmL
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"We aren’t children for you to be asking us such a question," Rhénee pointed out.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbsjENnfqm
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YE6MgtOqd
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Malcom is the first to speak after a moment of silence: "We were out in the woods."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacCOo5mfbU
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGLi0z83zs
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"Rhénee, please calm down," said Miss Griselda as she laid a hand on Rhénee’s knee.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwxMkSiika
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0wKCDawJL
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"As much as I am your lawyer—you might not like to hear this—I am responsible for you."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa8QD8NdMv
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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?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6H7msVoYL
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Sinclair put up a smug smile. "What hell?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA2yhxdgOr
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI6EdRcyiZ
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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?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjWK7JDSIG
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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?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTfsU88QkU
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"It depends."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj229NHIHd
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"On what?" Rhénee folded her arms.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqnq1tgJQj
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"On you telling me why you were out in the woods and whatever has been going on."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eui5kT623
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzMIQ4WSQf
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AOt7zwa94
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Rhénee stopped. "Are we going to be serious about this or not?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIM9qSRNj7
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdWC6fmSfA
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"You know about that?" Greta asked, surprised.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyQ9uzK7w3
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"I have eyes and ears." Sinclair smiled at her.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBal8KL3Wh
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"I’m guessing he told you." Kevin’s eyes flew to the man in the coat.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbnLiB047k
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"He just happened to be nearby when he heard the ruckus."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP91Ijz0bhU
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"Wait, if he was there, how did he find himself here before us?" Rhénee asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduaqDHy0Un
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QIdmDIPDV
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKMvqULBRk
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"So are you going to tell me why there was a shootout?" Sinclair asked, bringing Rhénee back from her thoughts.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGol9pkbbz
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyCzUbTxYl
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7T3kFJ8w1
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iso1kAaZT
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8Un26Fexw
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"So, anyone mind telling me?" Sinclair asked as he looked at each one seated.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorv17jQiWn
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo1x611GD2
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltAfoOAXWz
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"I’m not saying anything on that one," Sinclair said. "Please continue." Rhénee almost hissed at him.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRddOMCLK5C
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FERdlXuva
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"We better take that man out of that trunk," Sinclair suggested.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm5gOwxPr0
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"I agree," said Miss Griselda. Rhénee couldn’t help but wonder why she answered so quickly.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3v7YhOD0s
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"Kevin, let's go get him," said Malcom.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFeIxw2Dok
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc24DSDfIi
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"You came with a car?" Greta asked. "We saw no car in the driveway."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6MnNW3wPI
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"And why put him in his car?" Rhénee asked. "I need to question him first."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGdWKkensh
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4hHBsUwGO
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"Then why aren’t you letting me?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjh6osOp4l
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ475UlKhbht
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncMQCLn4kg
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"Aren’t you now going to tell me what’s going on?" Rhénee asked after the others had left.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFodeRoGfG
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"I will. But not now." Sinclair quickly stood from his seat as he adjusted the glasses on his face.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2ScdqxUZk
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"No fair," Rhénee quickly said, standing in front of him. "We had a deal."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa94cnBAYIe
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"A deal, yes. And I will deliver my part tomorrow."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMODfX6oOsl
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"No. I want you to say it right here and now."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B3593Ub8t
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi0A9toSnk
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC7FKwMpKR
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"I called her and told her not to worry," Greta answered as she slowly stood, looking nervously at Sinclair.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07uB2v9DCQ
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkSKxuT1vJ
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOdQwafpf5
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"What are you going to do to the man in the trunk?" Rhénee asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV8mRLbuTm
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"He’ll be well taken care of. I also have to question him."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7Qg4QI2sC
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"And you think you’ll make him talk?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMSvWY8Hz3
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"The man I came with has mad skills at making people talk."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kZXMfc7Kw
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5HkkWrjX9
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Sinclair smiled. "No, you aren’t kids. Doing what you did today proves that."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fqm8tLKnq
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtHg3P2IWR
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP40FORjWu
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzH7opH3mF
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After Sinclair walked out through the front door, Rhénee turned to Greta.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg04FPUIDMO
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ813CuvpFKr
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2J72B7UVY
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmdBBbobFt
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"Will do," said Rhénee.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTdL92ZJ88
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeN9tICXxC
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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?241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlffdvJSHeG
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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?241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCeP79vAjD
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BbyfnEnQD
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"Hey, are you okay?" Kevin asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IJltd3wZK
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZlLWLvq30
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZiagmgxZX
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"And what about you?" Malcom asked. 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3WlhTZ3B9
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTKN7d5GDQ
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"Well, we did have quite a day," said Malcom. "I’m starving too."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtnto4vtB4
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQV5OPFnuS
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJMIZxZoAa
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZJcI3nNZ2
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHG4Jkuf6m
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cGdrr0CO4
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"I couldn’t sleep," Miss Marie answered him, "we have a visitor."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1KLhfB0Hk
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"A visitor? Who?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkgQSg9fkt
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJgPqwyFj8
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"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Miguel asked.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONnRSiNx5N
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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?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALLMsxbKJk
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5atzuaZlrU
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"I thought you were going to introduce yourself to Rhénee back there," said Sinclair.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz50eUF7Vp
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"It wasn’t necessary," the man answered. "Besides, there will be time for that later."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnShCKsEK2T
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Sinclair looked at the closed lid. "Or is it that she reminds you of Emelda?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vj9gv1Lz9
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxAmCvulYS
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH9WaxaAMD
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"Stubbornness?"241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFhuOmbSp7
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Sinclair smiled. You've got that right."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqW6kdahDD
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"What do you want me to do with him?" the man asked, looking at the closed trunk.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyXw94XWSb
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"Get any information out of him, then dump him."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtXw0iOcUr
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"You weren't going to let Rhénee interrogate him, were you?" The man raised an eyebrow at Sinclair.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uF05TfFLy
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Sinclair scoffed. "Not in a million years."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjLuVpduId
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3h7af0Huf
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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."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbap5kDK74
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"You got it."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVMz7nZ5Lp
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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.8964 copyright protection237ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVtrbLVGMX 維尼

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