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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBRPF92rI0
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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:291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMOKJzt9wt
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"What is it, Greta?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUNY04ged0
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Her mouth fell agape. "How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0bT18rkxP
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwfeIYzjiR
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"Well, you guessed right."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nfAX8gOXp
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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?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaktclb3Yq3
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"We were going to figure something out," said Rhénee.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq3kw5coSQ
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Miss Griselda scoffed. "You sound just like your grandmother."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkau0QSSWX6
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow as she looked at Miss Griselda. The cat that sat on her lap raised its head.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LCQuOh26W
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"Well, let's be grateful that everything worked according to plan," said Kevin.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0JXmxEZUc
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Miss Griselda didn't say anything as she folded her arms. Rhénee could only imagine how upset she is.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcedfaPecyV
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgPwlMVNJz
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"Really? My lies aren't that convincing, you know?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEd1Ahv4RV
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"It was when you explained the reason why I had to have my shirt changed. Just do it, and quickly."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4KsMiniPD
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"Okay, okay. You're putting me under more pressure than she does."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmtu7qW20o
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg4Ue8iVzy
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"Hello, Greta?" Mrs. Derrand's hurried voice came through the speaker. "Thank goodness. I was really worried about you."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8t8JzVi4z
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU3HG1CGt8
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"And what of your brother? I've been trying to reach him too."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApC7waE5HD
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo3YcTjcTY
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfXrgzuf66
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"We know. We got a little carried away. Sorry about that."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJCap0KvE3
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"Are you coming home now?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zd5YJmv7O
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEfjnpxOKu
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G58h7MoAz
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Greta heard her mother mutter in frustration. "Fine. Will you want us to save your supper for when you return?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTxLo8yPlc
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyPDr1hze6
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"Alright. But be safe. I'll wait up for you."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr33V6Vn17S
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiOUnngDhC
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"You see. You've become a very good liar in just one day," said Malcom.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGowpYrrA9h
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzrgqplTxo
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"Have you already forgotten that we have someone in the trunk?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcROlIsoj8
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"There's someone in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjnqTSGipc
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"I didn't forget," said Kevin as he smiled at Malcom.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBgeL7DfNz
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"Who's in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked as she gave Rhénee and Greta a stern look.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlhdq4tfTy
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"Don't ask me. Rhénee said that we take him with us," said Greta.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAmobz9T36
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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?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdqUgL9phn
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"Me?" Miss Griselda asked, now looking cornered. "What makes you think I know?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEE14HlgoW
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkxNFw6H3u
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeZ5KaWzFW
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"Then it's a good thing that we've got someone in the trunk who can help us."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCU4XWOmM9
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"And where do you expect to keep him?" Miss Griselda asked, knowing fully well the answer to that question.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa9W2MAXbQ
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"Our basement, of course," Rhénee answered without a care in the world.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWwdztP5Fg
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"If we do that, they might come to your place," said Kevin. "They will know we have him."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhb0vZxaZk
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"Well, why can't we just kill him after everything's done?" Greta asked.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLyNjMP06G
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Miss Griselda shook her head. "You are all talking about killing like it's a game."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N8EvSM0md
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwcwdCZc0P
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"And what if he doesn't give you what you want? What then?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkpvZlJAZx
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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?291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwpomMPMjl
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"We'll figure it out," said Malcom. "Rhénee isn't alone in this."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF3uwNXcdo
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"You know, when Emelda told you to protect Rhénee, it didn't mean kidnapping people," Miss Griselda scorned.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXdep8j1uJ
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUekljHi0CT
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"Malcom, you don't have to-" Rhénee started to say something but was quickly interrupted.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vIfNgQwX8
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8am7l3xCs
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGPVKPvRYp
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7yDj1o63U
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"Home sweet home," she muttered to herself. She has had a long day.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mBs2NMDrq
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ujpfJq0Mo
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu0yovgSqs
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLB0pNCDjJR
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgutlfhkeq
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"Malcom and I will carry him into the house," said Kevin. "You can open the door for us."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAKYnDa6Ga
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWkmmzephg
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She quickly pulled out her gun, tucked behind her trousers. The others behind her saw.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhvVwSTH9A
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"What is it, Rhénee?" Miss Griselda asked, sounding terrified.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHDkfsUe7C
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"Stay here," Rhénee warned. "Someone is in the house."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnA387OoDq
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnStMFsYpOY
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"Are you sure someone is in there?" he asked.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDL82Ytc7c
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuMpHqp6YZ
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"I'll lead the way."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQa46PEM43
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"No," Rhénee said, holding Malcom’s shoulder. "I'll go."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gnIaIN5fA
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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?291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3wu1nGzwZ
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNKEto7PfL
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlrxpcWsZA
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP39aZJyOFo
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyqS1QGdps
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"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked, still with her gun pointed at whoever it was in the room.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iP5kcRyDL
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiAmLdPWrQ
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiYUjymbnZ
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"What are you doing here, Mr. Sinclair?" Malcom asked this time around.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTYm7HK63V
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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?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8CRMqFhvp
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Rhénee slowly dropped her arms. "You also have another set of keys to the house?" she asked.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBTOQurxK8
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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?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKo25g9JNQ
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaGNKTwdV2
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"Who is he?" Rhénee asked, her eyes looking straight at the stranger.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfJAW9pHLY
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaOZfHV4fH
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI4kejLcVk
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIHmwpryYa
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"You don't seem surprised that I'm holding a gun, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiQKRQSwgy
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Sinclair adjusted in his seat as he answered, "I'm not."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO5FigGrbs
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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?291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzTblJYW58
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"Are you serious?" Rhénee could hear Miss Griselda in the foyer, along with a set of footsteps.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1gIYNQvuc
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"You can see for yourself," said Malcom.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M57GlC135
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBHWE51Kll
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"Long time no see, Griselda," came the breathy voice of the man in the corner.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYZtsstVnc
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Rhénee turned to look at Miss Griselda. "You know him?" she asked.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJesuzrORF
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvU677NS1g
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"So I've been told." Rhénee looked at Mr. Sinclair.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BafafsrnM
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"Please sit down, all of you," said Mr. Sinclair.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XmQrWukAW
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81IizX3I2H
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"Aren't you going to sit, Rhénee?" Sinclair asked.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5boIkeaH5u
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"You already know what happened tonight, don't you?" Rhénee asked.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYkS0Reg00
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Those who were seated looked at Mr. Sinclair, looking a little surprised. Greta's mouth fell open.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5okXbj6uvF
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"Of course," he answered, giving a curt nod of his head.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFsrMFxjVR
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"That means you've always known what's been going on?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqMxgc1QtB
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"I don't think so. It's why I'm here."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZZQZEszsO
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8ty5e1kXS
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Sinclair cleared his throat before asking, "Would anyone mind telling me where you all were?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFZ4VBDvzz
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"We aren’t children for you to be asking us such a question," Rhénee pointed out.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22uDCd8KsV
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mNglWPlHp
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Malcom is the first to speak after a moment of silence: "We were out in the woods."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgHeCWIK6k
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbYGzIyCgY
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"Rhénee, please calm down," said Miss Griselda as she laid a hand on Rhénee’s knee.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0Tz8Czs0l
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO1lG0Kr1n
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"As much as I am your lawyer—you might not like to hear this—I am responsible for you."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iOeR1Bnit
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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?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQqt991UGh
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Sinclair put up a smug smile. "What hell?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqsoOh6ZTW
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8L2YSrgHe
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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?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DMZNVfmD2
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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?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK0kB1gnUr
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"It depends."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbaPZBAW1g
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"On what?" Rhénee folded her arms.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkww088W4C
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"On you telling me why you were out in the woods and whatever has been going on."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBmh32Vpre
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhrgWlPW40
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJrkz9A5Hi
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Rhénee stopped. "Are we going to be serious about this or not?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nO7AWV3gS
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHvlOshvCF
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"You know about that?" Greta asked, surprised.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhWOSZXbTv
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"I have eyes and ears." Sinclair smiled at her.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj5ySUCCVk
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"I’m guessing he told you." Kevin’s eyes flew to the man in the coat.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ246xl23SjV
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"He just happened to be nearby when he heard the ruckus."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0seuEq4weC
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"Wait, if he was there, how did he find himself here before us?" Rhénee asked.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYhhoI5pGB
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVVPaifSzD
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wCK9dePWR
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"So are you going to tell me why there was a shootout?" Sinclair asked, bringing Rhénee back from her thoughts.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVh5WEsYgK
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b9YweD3Xg
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohpkuTJGqC
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QCQBIB4Nm
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutMPImpNTW
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"So, anyone mind telling me?" Sinclair asked as he looked at each one seated.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIV775fwHX
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwfi6bCAcJ
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2lqCOUqMa
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"I’m not saying anything on that one," Sinclair said. "Please continue." Rhénee almost hissed at him.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ir2NGqrbY
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBdoluogBE
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"We better take that man out of that trunk," Sinclair suggested.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROf7Vp2PCK
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"I agree," said Miss Griselda. Rhénee couldn’t help but wonder why she answered so quickly.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsktlog7eeE
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"Kevin, let's go get him," said Malcom.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQXXW8cWq7
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZKe5NKaqH
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"You came with a car?" Greta asked. "We saw no car in the driveway."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ5pn4ybMT
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"And why put him in his car?" Rhénee asked. "I need to question him first."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTndLzqlWGK
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aiEiHpVKr
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"Then why aren’t you letting me?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ1PMI7uXp
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabc0oqYCFw
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFvt6Zx9DN
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"Aren’t you now going to tell me what’s going on?" Rhénee asked after the others had left.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueUpRglQLW
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"I will. But not now." Sinclair quickly stood from his seat as he adjusted the glasses on his face.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUWH7VCawO
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"No fair," Rhénee quickly said, standing in front of him. "We had a deal."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW0gTORIYN
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"A deal, yes. And I will deliver my part tomorrow."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OFmYZDauL
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"No. I want you to say it right here and now."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h7Q6KWaQt
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesvA43iY2s
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhTRT9y0q4
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"I called her and told her not to worry," Greta answered as she slowly stood, looking nervously at Sinclair.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K8QfInla0
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyhp54OjU5
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpB9OO3ODJ
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"What are you going to do to the man in the trunk?" Rhénee asked.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIgU0K1MuM
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"He’ll be well taken care of. I also have to question him."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm72Onawnc
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"And you think you’ll make him talk?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O8LPZGll8
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"The man I came with has mad skills at making people talk."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7X2Y36F7P
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIECS13Kvqu
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Sinclair smiled. "No, you aren’t kids. Doing what you did today proves that."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv8ydkJnmh
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0slC6ceT9x
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNprrfkctp
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw8XEjIsub
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After Sinclair walked out through the front door, Rhénee turned to Greta.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm3lamWfNe
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07UpbUc7Lc
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1TN30hFRc
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7tQgv4OIR
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"Will do," said Rhénee.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE84mbBdli
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSRLvKPwAT
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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?291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrpS2g8Y6e
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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?291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgFSri4RIv
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeH7s9qZqo
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"Hey, are you okay?" Kevin asked.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIVKjePAq6
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtG8lY4Fi7
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP709IqL24r
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"And what about you?" Malcom asked. 291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQxn5MOLXV
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n71NAAhC8
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"Well, we did have quite a day," said Malcom. "I’m starving too."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cZERvB0B8
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q6LhzclUo
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB69dzoQ1v4
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbl2J76sLg
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHcBkrx9Px
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyPwFd1lbB
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"I couldn’t sleep," Miss Marie answered him, "we have a visitor."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lgg46UQMu
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"A visitor? Who?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ3EXAdZpJ
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOea76vJSYr
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"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Miguel asked.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFuicJ1un7
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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?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewFwoENnVk
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***291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxV3wXzDel
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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.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oxtXbUnUs
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"I thought you were going to introduce yourself to Rhénee back there," said Sinclair.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfsP7Yytfb
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"It wasn’t necessary," the man answered. "Besides, there will be time for that later."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdv3iwdi6r
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Sinclair looked at the closed lid. "Or is it that she reminds you of Emelda?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvpNRk6QqU
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojsGuIZHnj
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DSTlP22fD
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"Stubbornness?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg3fmoXGdJ
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Sinclair smiled. You've got that right."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOpFIgnaji
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"What do you want me to do with him?" the man asked, looking at the closed trunk.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYh92DfJdi
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"Get any information out of him, then dump him."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfVmywY0Sh
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"You weren't going to let Rhénee interrogate him, were you?" The man raised an eyebrow at Sinclair.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP31PwPdfX6
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Sinclair scoffed. "Not in a million years."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DokjQaFC0
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8v3XNHxB7
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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."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFabbZpwTp
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"You got it."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknvwcG15gZ
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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 protection287ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSSlawerV4 維尼

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