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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvC04QXPqt
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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:257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N5JCrTVMO
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"What is it, Greta?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZIh0SliV2
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Her mouth fell agape. "How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1D8TnKhVS
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzPtBsltvH
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"Well, you guessed right."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMl99linnh
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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?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn5LWOvYlu
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"We were going to figure something out," said Rhénee.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpptFA0pZ4J
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Miss Griselda scoffed. "You sound just like your grandmother."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQz9oi5eqF
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow as she looked at Miss Griselda. The cat that sat on her lap raised its head.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIoVgJABPG
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"Well, let's be grateful that everything worked according to plan," said Kevin.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwzDG7VcBZ
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Miss Griselda didn't say anything as she folded her arms. Rhénee could only imagine how upset she is.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv11EZHtDSE
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPWvZDhG4h
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"Really? My lies aren't that convincing, you know?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRLLYHpkHZ
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"It was when you explained the reason why I had to have my shirt changed. Just do it, and quickly."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK8H778hYL
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"Okay, okay. You're putting me under more pressure than she does."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlDhRt41DG
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYbDnnrC4h
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"Hello, Greta?" Mrs. Derrand's hurried voice came through the speaker. "Thank goodness. I was really worried about you."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnlGUWGdgU
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Fn2eTOrun
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"And what of your brother? I've been trying to reach him too."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVikjeSOmbv
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zo1caRTiA
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscMyNmtetR
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"We know. We got a little carried away. Sorry about that."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp3GAFC7Qu
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"Are you coming home now?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdAUoe0VVP
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGT8RNGbhO
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyDBDHX4Wb
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Greta heard her mother mutter in frustration. "Fine. Will you want us to save your supper for when you return?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtqhNpFfM4
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ2JIxHvNH
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"Alright. But be safe. I'll wait up for you."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWpRlXNe2U
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna7MNqIvul
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"You see. You've become a very good liar in just one day," said Malcom.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXd93aHZtD
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnnwK4eoRw
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"Have you already forgotten that we have someone in the trunk?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPh0sRDkeA
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"There's someone in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXUdxSvha2
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"I didn't forget," said Kevin as he smiled at Malcom.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv2nmUfSrr
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"Who's in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked as she gave Rhénee and Greta a stern look.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzcKsOXxTr
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"Don't ask me. Rhénee said that we take him with us," said Greta.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoHxSrE7P8
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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?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWSGhViArM
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"Me?" Miss Griselda asked, now looking cornered. "What makes you think I know?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oflSZEP2l
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQB1ekd8qS
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyQIAjC89F
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"Then it's a good thing that we've got someone in the trunk who can help us."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRhjdiCsAp
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"And where do you expect to keep him?" Miss Griselda asked, knowing fully well the answer to that question.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMrg7iPNlM
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"Our basement, of course," Rhénee answered without a care in the world.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSREQeMo8N
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"If we do that, they might come to your place," said Kevin. "They will know we have him."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI0Hw5sOVP
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"Well, why can't we just kill him after everything's done?" Greta asked.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvUCavInOj
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Miss Griselda shook her head. "You are all talking about killing like it's a game."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38D45jweBY
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS6mvv936L
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"And what if he doesn't give you what you want? What then?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutk2TZ8br9
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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?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h2EkVlOOQ
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"We'll figure it out," said Malcom. "Rhénee isn't alone in this."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2VYc1Vnmh
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"You know, when Emelda told you to protect Rhénee, it didn't mean kidnapping people," Miss Griselda scorned.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvfH0mbskC
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng627YVVzJ
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"Malcom, you don't have to-" Rhénee started to say something but was quickly interrupted.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrPgMLeez0
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mZFJJga19
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kWTBoeZwe
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoIe0Lfzql
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"Home sweet home," she muttered to herself. She has had a long day.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL85WpD7RRc
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxirWhEcS81
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDH6MRAhlO
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW29BxIg7mF
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzds53rErQ
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"Malcom and I will carry him into the house," said Kevin. "You can open the door for us."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlvXW14FHi
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1io5bzmRT1
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She quickly pulled out her gun, tucked behind her trousers. The others behind her saw.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaEJrroqo7
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"What is it, Rhénee?" Miss Griselda asked, sounding terrified.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs00eZS62Jb
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"Stay here," Rhénee warned. "Someone is in the house."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMA2UhDBFu
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCXzZZMKkb
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"Are you sure someone is in there?" he asked.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprcD07GQPS
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpYYgTDlCt
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"I'll lead the way."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRfW3FdW85
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"No," Rhénee said, holding Malcom’s shoulder. "I'll go."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTLlY50VSb
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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?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BYLXFDBbT
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E6ccgeX71
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNJqm7Lh9F
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFiKRO9rVw
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOSJ5ioIpL
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"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked, still with her gun pointed at whoever it was in the room.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOwRQLkU1k
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ557lPSraKb
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBti7Mx1QF
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"What are you doing here, Mr. Sinclair?" Malcom asked this time around.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWguzkjAusR
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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?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA9p7XKkf1
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Rhénee slowly dropped her arms. "You also have another set of keys to the house?" she asked.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzUkuvVUSU
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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?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9B6rmNcxc
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCvVvn8CoS
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"Who is he?" Rhénee asked, her eyes looking straight at the stranger.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn8pOyzx4S
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzmpYm5esH
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUHi8ixHPO
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNEMaexDF0
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"You don't seem surprised that I'm holding a gun, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFZNYNJK7P
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Sinclair adjusted in his seat as he answered, "I'm not."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7EPBAkH8a
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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?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAPYULcqEb
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"Are you serious?" Rhénee could hear Miss Griselda in the foyer, along with a set of footsteps.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1Dp35WZ0e
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"You can see for yourself," said Malcom.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu5cx1DbDM
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpE1ozVpIc
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"Long time no see, Griselda," came the breathy voice of the man in the corner.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErp6gAGyfC
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Rhénee turned to look at Miss Griselda. "You know him?" she asked.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMr2ZDbxhV
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJQim73sNR
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"So I've been told." Rhénee looked at Mr. Sinclair.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLiUFxsqhk
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"Please sit down, all of you," said Mr. Sinclair.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxf7bOjnhL
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TXRII34ZE
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"Aren't you going to sit, Rhénee?" Sinclair asked.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3c82mZtZg
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"You already know what happened tonight, don't you?" Rhénee asked.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5Bo21MTKQ
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Those who were seated looked at Mr. Sinclair, looking a little surprised. Greta's mouth fell open.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGuAxKBWDQ
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"Of course," he answered, giving a curt nod of his head.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwBZ16xCxL
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"That means you've always known what's been going on?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOSNmeGyA0
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"I don't think so. It's why I'm here."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAAPKt7SsE
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitgqYJ3g6Q
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Sinclair cleared his throat before asking, "Would anyone mind telling me where you all were?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjRWJIGlGH
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"We aren’t children for you to be asking us such a question," Rhénee pointed out.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJTxogTQCW
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y3ZrakqqO
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Malcom is the first to speak after a moment of silence: "We were out in the woods."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPF1oHXKBX
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDZHjSuIgl
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"Rhénee, please calm down," said Miss Griselda as she laid a hand on Rhénee’s knee.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V3IER8qoN
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGm9EICh5f
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"As much as I am your lawyer—you might not like to hear this—I am responsible for you."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRzXJpaSr9
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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?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdESfrTjFDp
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Sinclair put up a smug smile. "What hell?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL7MRnHCvN
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklWFWRU53V
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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?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0QChcYHsB
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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?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi7ZcxzL05
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"It depends."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe343R35QD
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"On what?" Rhénee folded her arms.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe5lUIq273
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"On you telling me why you were out in the woods and whatever has been going on."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NE0LBexyb
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU8wPpjZek
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3plAEYYUuX
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Rhénee stopped. "Are we going to be serious about this or not?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1enxXfANF
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJrLwvTZ9I
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"You know about that?" Greta asked, surprised.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0czMVhvUbD
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"I have eyes and ears." Sinclair smiled at her.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAeP4BkmJX
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"I’m guessing he told you." Kevin’s eyes flew to the man in the coat.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB2xJuOx3J
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"He just happened to be nearby when he heard the ruckus."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOSPH5F8WW
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"Wait, if he was there, how did he find himself here before us?" Rhénee asked.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsCcJ6e4Zp
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNWwlX7AMk
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYOFvqWyoT
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"So are you going to tell me why there was a shootout?" Sinclair asked, bringing Rhénee back from her thoughts.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEBrOaQqRE
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2ElY65OEe
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp5dTinWEO
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvssCueTZk3
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDKKZ85m14
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"So, anyone mind telling me?" Sinclair asked as he looked at each one seated.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ5jyZdNzW
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOKrVu1H13
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJmxxy3q1p
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"I’m not saying anything on that one," Sinclair said. "Please continue." Rhénee almost hissed at him.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXCdFKe04h
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR725XlY3Ev
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"We better take that man out of that trunk," Sinclair suggested.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KdId26Res
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"I agree," said Miss Griselda. Rhénee couldn’t help but wonder why she answered so quickly.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7DA8ky2ns
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"Kevin, let's go get him," said Malcom.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr31sRFzYO3
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7GJWKd0F0
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"You came with a car?" Greta asked. "We saw no car in the driveway."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ1a8zhPLx
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"And why put him in his car?" Rhénee asked. "I need to question him first."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld1YOqvP2A
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu1mAT0mrU
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"Then why aren’t you letting me?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBABJW0rUE
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfVl3kJXim
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5Ua3hrcpO
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"Aren’t you now going to tell me what’s going on?" Rhénee asked after the others had left.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpg8QWQ5QQ
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"I will. But not now." Sinclair quickly stood from his seat as he adjusted the glasses on his face.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0qDUpGgpx
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"No fair," Rhénee quickly said, standing in front of him. "We had a deal."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1zHtWxkCx
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"A deal, yes. And I will deliver my part tomorrow."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWQsKH9P5d
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"No. I want you to say it right here and now."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboeRDj1Z8M
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgPBoxmeMX
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkEEUHUMdw
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"I called her and told her not to worry," Greta answered as she slowly stood, looking nervously at Sinclair.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDhyDdeSmS
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwq3vDdnsT
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn4I5q6pl9
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"What are you going to do to the man in the trunk?" Rhénee asked.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bovZgi5Zc
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"He’ll be well taken care of. I also have to question him."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDR9XtnLzw
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"And you think you’ll make him talk?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXa1UoEAGX
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"The man I came with has mad skills at making people talk."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYtApjhO7p
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFThprtBes
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Sinclair smiled. "No, you aren’t kids. Doing what you did today proves that."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35iEWFjzLo
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCxsdTNumi
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxJyLF0T8v
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhMvEay61M
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After Sinclair walked out through the front door, Rhénee turned to Greta.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvDhcfid3A
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmUAW5Bw8I
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojs1XpLDiK
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6Zs6dhJ7C
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"Will do," said Rhénee.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFk2cbo1kT
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMUr1jRyrR
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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?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSW1xblRwH
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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?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmine5Cq8hl
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAtANtc8Do
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"Hey, are you okay?" Kevin asked.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPrUnN86DS
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhNS8W9I9h
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgap8CmJMmR
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"And what about you?" Malcom asked. 257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1diNH37T8
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqHPFr2qXk
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"Well, we did have quite a day," said Malcom. "I’m starving too."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuqkfrRwaM
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4sa6H3XA0
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpUJMdMnUW
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrPZHhiBbQ
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvKVQA2YYe
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP9BDafiou
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"I couldn’t sleep," Miss Marie answered him, "we have a visitor."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd37eXQTCO
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"A visitor? Who?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7IwPqTyS2
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWzB0T4snw
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"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Miguel asked.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoPcKGdq2C
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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?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00k56asH1Y
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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.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf88frnyud1
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"I thought you were going to introduce yourself to Rhénee back there," said Sinclair.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tOBT6hJNm
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"It wasn’t necessary," the man answered. "Besides, there will be time for that later."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLutJMMpZO
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Sinclair looked at the closed lid. "Or is it that she reminds you of Emelda?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHKvqnNxbt
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9KFVcceLj
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DIuWyk1TS
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"Stubbornness?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPHjUxsw58
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Sinclair smiled. You've got that right."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHEIyqtwTB
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"What do you want me to do with him?" the man asked, looking at the closed trunk.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5V9SExEps
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"Get any information out of him, then dump him."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1JI9uiljO
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"You weren't going to let Rhénee interrogate him, were you?" The man raised an eyebrow at Sinclair.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBU54aWjHI
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Sinclair scoffed. "Not in a million years."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIINuFPGkdr
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RIRZfNVsl
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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."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxClEW3wWk2
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"You got it."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIlBqmn64n
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Sinclair parted ways as he went to his black Lamborghini parked behind the man’s car. The man went over to the driver’s seat of his car and switched on the engine, bringing the headlights on. Sinclair also did the same behind him. The man drove away straight down the road, while Sinclair turned the car the other way around and drove in the opposite direction.
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