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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo5b1p79Od
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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:333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjv4cAnMOV
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"What is it, Greta?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLUvXZagwe
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Her mouth fell agape. "How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjVJrIVgx1
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn85i13VZ6F
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"Well, you guessed right."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKsYi7boqx
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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?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm5Wm3CdVi
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"We were going to figure something out," said Rhénee.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z0dfTOOlB
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Miss Griselda scoffed. "You sound just like your grandmother."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpE9awwRXF
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow as she looked at Miss Griselda. The cat that sat on her lap raised its head.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGxKlr9sFg
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"Well, let's be grateful that everything worked according to plan," said Kevin.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEKWsImTlS
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Miss Griselda didn't say anything as she folded her arms. Rhénee could only imagine how upset she is.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrywyqydS9D
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeACMSz2mjZ
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"Really? My lies aren't that convincing, you know?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqshsK8bSx0
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"It was when you explained the reason why I had to have my shirt changed. Just do it, and quickly."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqjsfP4BjY
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"Okay, okay. You're putting me under more pressure than she does."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEzyuUcdJW
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PMOqgvlZY
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"Hello, Greta?" Mrs. Derrand's hurried voice came through the speaker. "Thank goodness. I was really worried about you."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEmLkZEZni
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nEI9w6nwB
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"And what of your brother? I've been trying to reach him too."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudLXGms9SH
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUR3eT7FwI
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqq05MfaF9
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"We know. We got a little carried away. Sorry about that."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwzopYhJFi
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"Are you coming home now?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb8JZNXvad
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7Ixq4hcXY
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9ihZXZa4K
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Greta heard her mother mutter in frustration. "Fine. Will you want us to save your supper for when you return?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9w1UF7KZL
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32yI8dqdFG
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"Alright. But be safe. I'll wait up for you."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx7IA8r1H8
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNqqcJL7yn
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"You see. You've become a very good liar in just one day," said Malcom.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriNNLIX31h
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTt1gPrAOp
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"Have you already forgotten that we have someone in the trunk?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmbtkNpNk6
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"There's someone in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DkiRnOoji
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"I didn't forget," said Kevin as he smiled at Malcom.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz7U5IsnyX
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"Who's in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked as she gave Rhénee and Greta a stern look.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKWM2EmJCI
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"Don't ask me. Rhénee said that we take him with us," said Greta.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdxxoZsett
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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?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBCLsBotvq
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"Me?" Miss Griselda asked, now looking cornered. "What makes you think I know?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPSiuRstDr
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOfRzEGBWe
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKUh41IMIV
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"Then it's a good thing that we've got someone in the trunk who can help us."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwxEeEBDu7
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"And where do you expect to keep him?" Miss Griselda asked, knowing fully well the answer to that question.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfiKxxRPTh
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"Our basement, of course," Rhénee answered without a care in the world.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL2VygbuzJ
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"If we do that, they might come to your place," said Kevin. "They will know we have him."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQG4zwHrC4
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"Well, why can't we just kill him after everything's done?" Greta asked.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sbAYsxZjU
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Miss Griselda shook her head. "You are all talking about killing like it's a game."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFr1zERs77
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcwc7AZwN5
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"And what if he doesn't give you what you want? What then?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcwJxRvuL1
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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?333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwfu7eCXkZ
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"We'll figure it out," said Malcom. "Rhénee isn't alone in this."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQhdHS2a9v
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"You know, when Emelda told you to protect Rhénee, it didn't mean kidnapping people," Miss Griselda scorned.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6yWavCMND
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN2OJKmoRz
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"Malcom, you don't have to-" Rhénee started to say something but was quickly interrupted.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOFILnMIFP
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5meTWBpGmB
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii4gaXgmMv
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvgdE23vlv
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"Home sweet home," she muttered to herself. She has had a long day.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2UmWDqVic
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgoEJR9aUz
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yDQt0V4We
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8oLpJVfoa
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftfJHL19pb
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"Malcom and I will carry him into the house," said Kevin. "You can open the door for us."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYxQ7GXM6T
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0bQgldZXi
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She quickly pulled out her gun, tucked behind her trousers. The others behind her saw.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOX3BOH7MK
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"What is it, Rhénee?" Miss Griselda asked, sounding terrified.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1NDfpLMy5
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"Stay here," Rhénee warned. "Someone is in the house."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWCKXZ0E4i
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLinMjpWSs
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"Are you sure someone is in there?" he asked.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaimeivAtk
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8jFW0yKI4
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"I'll lead the way."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5PY1GmuUz
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"No," Rhénee said, holding Malcom’s shoulder. "I'll go."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr0XGl2jjH
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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?333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl2UQeeytm
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZwvmqWpNg
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOet57U8Ni
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl589iZ5F6E
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcCRmbylbH
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"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked, still with her gun pointed at whoever it was in the room.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEapE6nHp5u
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21aHi79Htr
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BufgeLEa1
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"What are you doing here, Mr. Sinclair?" Malcom asked this time around.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM94FC2KOqg
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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?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvfxlhuniC
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Rhénee slowly dropped her arms. "You also have another set of keys to the house?" she asked.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADtTWvJZW6
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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?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLwdy8dP9L
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPSktUgx7f
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"Who is he?" Rhénee asked, her eyes looking straight at the stranger.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtbG9muABr
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrLs93oXY0
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTZv6vcDSj
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd31S36oaHo
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"You don't seem surprised that I'm holding a gun, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDfOk5eOfD
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Sinclair adjusted in his seat as he answered, "I'm not."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPwjTzKpb4
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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?333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR8AtktJ13
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"Are you serious?" Rhénee could hear Miss Griselda in the foyer, along with a set of footsteps.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ3VdgKcSn
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"You can see for yourself," said Malcom.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYp96StHtP
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZHJBVElBv
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"Long time no see, Griselda," came the breathy voice of the man in the corner.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw1ZKBffse
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Rhénee turned to look at Miss Griselda. "You know him?" she asked.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfFuqLZxGo
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgmNYZEpbY
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"So I've been told." Rhénee looked at Mr. Sinclair.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDquKeQuRVb
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"Please sit down, all of you," said Mr. Sinclair.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXskvnAVTyt
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhjEaL7M7k
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"Aren't you going to sit, Rhénee?" Sinclair asked.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH24JlQtSmw
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"You already know what happened tonight, don't you?" Rhénee asked.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbHjwp8Jxg
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Those who were seated looked at Mr. Sinclair, looking a little surprised. Greta's mouth fell open.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiJlfzGBHs
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"Of course," he answered, giving a curt nod of his head.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYaSDIYubd
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"That means you've always known what's been going on?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4z4dyIi4O
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"I don't think so. It's why I'm here."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62SndmocH7
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw12o4en5eZ
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Sinclair cleared his throat before asking, "Would anyone mind telling me where you all were?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzIpxge1Bm
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"We aren’t children for you to be asking us such a question," Rhénee pointed out.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8UseFAZAY
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdYRoc478c
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Malcom is the first to speak after a moment of silence: "We were out in the woods."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRtREcbvpG
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qYu68lIRa
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"Rhénee, please calm down," said Miss Griselda as she laid a hand on Rhénee’s knee.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmPYUBaeP5
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJphKVWMEL
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"As much as I am your lawyer—you might not like to hear this—I am responsible for you."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWayU5k6cBR
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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?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKjsHPoj2e
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Sinclair put up a smug smile. "What hell?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ038fQE7bfG
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFBwXKvaW1
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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?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwYEahxTTN
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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?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC7voD5njY
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"It depends."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFEj56Ay2H
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"On what?" Rhénee folded her arms.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89MrAAsju3
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"On you telling me why you were out in the woods and whatever has been going on."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd657iPlPbT
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohcghE6f58
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVrG32IjSJ
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Rhénee stopped. "Are we going to be serious about this or not?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhYYKVDTiB
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJdctVOKzV
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"You know about that?" Greta asked, surprised.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNirlVqAlii
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"I have eyes and ears." Sinclair smiled at her.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AOYjksdo3
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"I’m guessing he told you." Kevin’s eyes flew to the man in the coat.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8v4i1G8HD
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"He just happened to be nearby when he heard the ruckus."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUF6yziA6r
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"Wait, if he was there, how did he find himself here before us?" Rhénee asked.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7Axf5tSTg
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIJawjmyuw
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y2wMUIOL7
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"So are you going to tell me why there was a shootout?" Sinclair asked, bringing Rhénee back from her thoughts.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvHQKTRYio
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPyGCGAU07
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP1nBW4LTJ
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRYrrNcha9
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMsFoeMTkN
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"So, anyone mind telling me?" Sinclair asked as he looked at each one seated.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp9wa2eTLQ
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYCxG8NY9h
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzgbOtgWa8
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"I’m not saying anything on that one," Sinclair said. "Please continue." Rhénee almost hissed at him.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0czyJ1UNQ
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTh5421d1G
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"We better take that man out of that trunk," Sinclair suggested.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDfp3rOJeG
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"I agree," said Miss Griselda. Rhénee couldn’t help but wonder why she answered so quickly.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNIMCv8Qjh
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"Kevin, let's go get him," said Malcom.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrWExGZCNm
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4x67Umkeie
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"You came with a car?" Greta asked. "We saw no car in the driveway."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Wz9yXSzd
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"And why put him in his car?" Rhénee asked. "I need to question him first."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz2eEui4cp
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq2n9wI3c5
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"Then why aren’t you letting me?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanOmBPRRal
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv5pTetqL6
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e3MAQ0nux
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"Aren’t you now going to tell me what’s going on?" Rhénee asked after the others had left.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnj39BIJjg
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"I will. But not now." Sinclair quickly stood from his seat as he adjusted the glasses on his face.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsd339gKWr
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"No fair," Rhénee quickly said, standing in front of him. "We had a deal."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8hG5UpqVp
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"A deal, yes. And I will deliver my part tomorrow."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbNIWo1lsA
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"No. I want you to say it right here and now."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T1OXh0a5a
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71tjawV3Jn
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdAnAvBsD7
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"I called her and told her not to worry," Greta answered as she slowly stood, looking nervously at Sinclair.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRkPuqHMWw
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOArgfEXW1w
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4ZFQ0XtRR
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"What are you going to do to the man in the trunk?" Rhénee asked.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ANGM783Jr
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"He’ll be well taken care of. I also have to question him."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA3IdGsI2i
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"And you think you’ll make him talk?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvAts0FeNn
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"The man I came with has mad skills at making people talk."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz8roKmSIa
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNLTyDBb3U
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Sinclair smiled. "No, you aren’t kids. Doing what you did today proves that."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHh1QObKXy
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFFx573V6N
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYE0bguaG4
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5dYmzg0ub
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After Sinclair walked out through the front door, Rhénee turned to Greta.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhnx1NaIu7
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDQzQxbSWu
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXaXbBwn9l
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQORAasLSx
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"Will do," said Rhénee.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsR4TioyZC
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG5jTYyYu0
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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?333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGCM2a5Fgy
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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?333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY2VkveNtq
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPUxJ3HRav
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"Hey, are you okay?" Kevin asked.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKnsNCg0I4
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHN02u1HoB
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrIJsKBqnO
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"And what about you?" Malcom asked. 333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxdMCwkW4P
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1IXnQq9xs
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"Well, we did have quite a day," said Malcom. "I’m starving too."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDUeFEGIgy
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF1JGvg2Zj
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3n4LbWgh8O
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc5yXQ5Kxa
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbmDrNZIL0
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVOioVIhMK
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"I couldn’t sleep," Miss Marie answered him, "we have a visitor."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKEClgqk5j
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"A visitor? Who?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTC84RCi82
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdd0Id0bei
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"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Miguel asked.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh4EpB2kP2
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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?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNVbTbIwzP
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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.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4CvqXkeJ8
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"I thought you were going to introduce yourself to Rhénee back there," said Sinclair.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCkEjOVYBR
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"It wasn’t necessary," the man answered. "Besides, there will be time for that later."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVewxCnqab
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Sinclair looked at the closed lid. "Or is it that she reminds you of Emelda?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlh0RsKG30
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFXG0XZ8nu
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmejnrzdsO
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"Stubbornness?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVhv6cbmfT
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Sinclair smiled. You've got that right."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxWhR0yKWs
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"What do you want me to do with him?" the man asked, looking at the closed trunk.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3i21zc1JK
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"Get any information out of him, then dump him."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXcZ9iWp3g
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"You weren't going to let Rhénee interrogate him, were you?" The man raised an eyebrow at Sinclair.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXpHc4klEx
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Sinclair scoffed. "Not in a million years."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsr5lGs71D
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl76mJkhL9
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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."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH9nRw1UDy
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"You got it."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mZEKZ7pvG
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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 protection329ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7La25eBkd 維尼

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