The news about the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaOoLrMImk
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr9YH4EII2
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhzmSYelnN
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtAeEIcDfz
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhq712xg9b
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOqAlwXyWi
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlXdTHvaTk
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qva1QeXfd
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMoDvdEUR2
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNzipTrAqI
There was more to it 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMqqW6sJdb
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04tSonEZM1
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkGzUj4hKd
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFLe668Z3Z
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvRj4v8ovb
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T7BUPWxft
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ9DAAP4Nb
except from a few individuals. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHI73WhWdE
And apparently, one of 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdqpjdcRTh
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SofMLSxOD
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8NvHdqLbj
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv61AvN3f5f
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGE3OGduaR
really going on, all hell would break loose.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlGguQq2VS
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx78Yiqt5BK
Rhénee dropped the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLODjmlEabT
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBjDrXM74q
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xjCpZb9rJ
ear, she took a sip of coffee.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9n5NVwNmq
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOMRoWcDwD
"Ya, its crazy here," 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXobQDi8WU7
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl10gnUQlkU
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HYnRpSheK
broken in."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27zh86Kh5g
"If only they knew."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjJSQD0svk
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRRE9Ch9m6
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYqF8EedQJ
"She did. I had to make 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2TfZyPRxP
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b8HVp4X9q
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcUKMtFdr4
"I doubt if she believed that."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEx24R36CK
"Haha, looks like you 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEziJNwZWEK
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2oCxgeCpW
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CA4BASfyL
"True. But we did. I 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue4lfQKUIo
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFGnOFvkre
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNjiVfYPqb
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkMliaS402
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQsi7NikbW
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9MLSn14EZ
"Okay, bye."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk2P5JQPN4
"Bye."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFUylyOko9
Rhénee cuts the call and695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpve9Id4q9r
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSvoZFlTeW
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobtNgZamoK
wink last night.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmhCKQJH13
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsHqUcz7iK
"I wasn't going to 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ifH4Xt5lT
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClPCYk0Sr0
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1u5DQ8JLq
"You don't have to 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD2N2qAlXT
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8vFVIC1tT
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavb44IVrNh
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5xi6Dm4zq
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCejbxXuDI
"Why Malcom?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMjNd2ACFW
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBFS4s1Iq0
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKBPCovIaF
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9w2ZyAhvS
"Alright, you go ahead."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJR5O38yXJ
Miss Griselda gave 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K48pupfRU
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccxWEcXiNM
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT9UuxOJ4J
did when they talked about Malcom. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18UNNOM3IU
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOlkbHKnBB
The sound of her phone 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYNu1wOvXV
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cMLeMktiS
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXLoqcSbcO
mother.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjJkyESpkO
"Hello?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMymqHm2BRL
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJbZ2wz9sO
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbsNYCkcIM
That voice. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotzH5zLxzS
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5prvmZRx0v
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOIYUkfzXM
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslYf6Hp5lE
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNeUColjSL
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O5bifFNU8
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNVV2d7LXM
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQdryli4gb
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIgGxuGDlo
"You don't know me, 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mCtpW2OM0
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF1im8dW8d
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQtPid7oaN
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPEfmxb6ML
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVehA6hg2c
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcywCWK879y
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vSMzRRP9X
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGEK7S3GmC
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzMVttRA74
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXomOCxdHjK
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MFh7ahwGI
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvPE0g8uQx
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcJ9NQY32d
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszYFDPVP9A
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEukZpkeBa9
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrJkQ3cfnG
"Oh, and by the way, 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufFLJ2e5KQ
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2ejZBpTRQ
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxBY7tJXkg
this time around."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVjZlqCB2u
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGoTrIO1Ix
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpuIE9gRFz
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ9ltX8n3Q
Rhénee sat down on the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUfmzIGN9v
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlaliHNB3S
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ly8o5zuyo
the others, who know what might happen. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KwXEaHuX9
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpVP0QZefG
***695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnLLjhnYoW
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYppGKyZHOe
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1amxhYGeD
"But she isn't hurt right?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9gX6qznsP
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LKINdsOph
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzAeo2x1O2
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EamkRiDo9
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCHngMileD
"Nah.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCFLKgPl3w
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvBp9NKKFy
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasfxgBQCss
"Thats695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymF2EKHEzp
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIUhxoAcyA
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3vtfPPHhV
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWzTXFm9ok
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3cMKJR0j0
"Alright."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8La2yDONV
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLQI4QXYxl
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0HnGSJ4c2
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhuGRBnpBm
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUjyRCWJUN
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazHn2aCuXX
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbGCSlhPEX
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5IgNnyqrc
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby8BcsQ10V
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcxHEGbXyQ
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBOveQBNgz
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3HaycSnSA
"Does it bother you?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rsB87pCCZ
"Um... not really. But.... um."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgbkoCInUC
Eugene695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sLTS3P06i
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jbCw6rXRP
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbmY78YEKe
"Mum, are you okay?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7zQnYjcxZ
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFmdZ3n3M2
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzNgneGYeS
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex7D1tOg3k
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ptGZaxgQu
Mrs695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93zKGbs6Dx
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZVFLQTuqg
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS5lZqtMKj
had talked about Rhénee?695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhczj4QVTa
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvPYyGsrGl
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq4L72WXOb
***695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3u27BR3M5
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9wtGuQ3bJ
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWVy2m9OAi
"You better rest though. You still look tired."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCHOxNaifB
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXho2mArxdu
"No, I'll do it."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAuawzazD4
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblpI0JmaIq
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3tUtkyOFb
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGDkPAzT6A
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aQtkeR411
Rhénee695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDlykffr12
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxDGh9dk2l
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfbsrIm5Dj
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyV3Wr4n7l
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn0qUnuX9C
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtUFfTtzEs
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIt7z4C23p
"Thank695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodUTkRHz2B
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD21X4DfFLF
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8GDRC1MOz
"Well, yes. I still think I would."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pM8jLGnju
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2OmXLfO5C
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57VQMkxm42
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJpkg666ix
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRZGadDNHF
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjCHdWKCtn
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV4GjQxcYZ
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmizeUWyOR
"Coffee will be lovely."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66e3bZl8Ty
Miss695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgNb19u9Aa
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA6CCI8LFq
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00A6HCbNhk
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3IMzwF44W
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT5XRdLKvP
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzReAP4Dd0n
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N8Jt9l8da
"What mysterious person?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HUoH5Cxqu
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigDwjtAG6L
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB6sS3pKzX
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyA57zx0jG
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlZ0cnDsST
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu84hOVHoH4
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSjvBcINey
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZvAhr27Tj
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdl5ldfcu7
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn91C4SLA2
The695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBZpvI0fGj
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xha9ENSyx
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VWNTWtzk5
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhgK38EtXd
of this.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPu9O5K11c
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ876R5qPi1b
"I...695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtvRKjoeGt
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFn6iNqPdd
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6Ji77U2GG
frustration. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO3xDHLJT4
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2feOHFrD6e
Rhénee695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWML57WSQI7
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHSkFUBPwQ
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XumW2rfwv
cups on the tray and wondered. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9meIK7gZvN
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOtjhhc0cS
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF8plf90VX
As695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvTmyarp9n
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXVKHtNQ7F
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmMjJCi703
reminder kept ringing in her head.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rE5lcFIs5
"And tell your friends not to get involved."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq90OjDaYog
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1FkvV89Gh
"I695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO63Y9cWW3b
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS8PHoYd7D
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqh8OOjPVi
talking about, Rhénee?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEaWpT2yF2
Rhénee695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRhVHNZUOC
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PLVB3vurM
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJAR8O8S5F
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡganhl49auo
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0CwFIWJkX
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiRp9k4xyA
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVuHGxmwKL
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzC37sQOND
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1hUaKVZjs
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBxtlwuNu4
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w4QxFAAhI
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ9u52leOZ
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mRhoH2YUV
***695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm7ftW5Wso
Sweat695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE1m76WGNM
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK3m9DOVJa
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXYl3NdDLL
the person waiting never likes to wait.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWej9pcCp0T
He695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJrmrrpRHn
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNQKZI3ysG
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuoceiTE8c
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQXY03Wlp2
second.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqrca3VWtt
He695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkLpl9Fw3U
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ApH7Y3i1A
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplbtKkd2Yg
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrU2DB1bGw
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstFwbqyyvi
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d6RWoyTvS
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQSVnOoORN
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqnQJGqOsi
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx74OAooScu
"You're late, again."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgTkoGKNEC
His695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKKsFzzVF2
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74VAsQsHL9
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3eKn2aqrf
lion door knob. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7FIlOIW3q
He695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHZcw6uqQe
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi23esFBOP
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJIgSJk9LY
"What695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPxGZoRogW
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumITLmdUuA
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89ig9Sn18L
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tt8oAxxQV
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWNPly2Aab
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS3ZNbVVjw
A695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm80uG5pb9b
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkQkIiv8C3
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU6q0WjPGF
as they had their backs towards the window.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYosNLeQDp6
"You know we need him," said the tall man.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeeVtzmfUS
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmnHN7GU04
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIJDT2zlsf
The695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevVV9Zf6MW
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU1F7ft5BJ
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeihQJZuto
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Nw1nUCLn5
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2E5sU7kCX
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5HTUt5MJH
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4xGzRB2PD
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA1Hk6oDVq
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8tkl4ATgd
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd5ct6trsn
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch5T25a5oD
"What if she reveals the truth?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv1iIY0MMP
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRUgtF7Wz0
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKjkxNCIfR
For a moment, silence hung over them.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKdfDaB63K
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGglMtohtm
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YCgyCJM4W
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1WMQsnQE1
"I695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOxeJp3KT5
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDax8gvr8y
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdomhWQgUm
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTVnQfjoYj
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBNE16IrSf
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZCCFTrgbw
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfV3Wtrmte
***695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLStxxaGcG
The695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOOqhhuMsZ
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QZu6lDhkx
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75sCFGd6S9
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb25PcXgxlG
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCW1vAIB4T
they met, they seemed sky blue.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBeYFbvwh9
And695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFG7LdE3dH
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B2Zy6tUxv
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM67aOKEodP
Rhénee695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeVtofAoWU
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbV0XfpLhu
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW4SoQvFdn
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG75iMZdwu
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlg9XBD30B
coffee table in the middle.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3lKDN8i90
When695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4cR1isfHM
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDldd1bsc7
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtTYhweo6N
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCjV3zVueV
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOYquIk3PY
"Are you sure?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2vIZ8dNzA
"Yes, I'm positive."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKqYSIFQ0K
Miss695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGuA9ys9I4
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhx1ka4OhI
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL4e02zljm
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEDEAdSEKH
from their cups.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7oX2k9reH
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOoWeRqDXw
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6IwVimQMf
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhbiSLunGX
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn3aPR5RgD
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp4Eq9d5sE
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDYxDuECdk
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG9e6dt6iO
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0qZo8WMh0
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70BmGDCczZ
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFl4siOeg7
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm19rRovPXo
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hv7a8FCE7
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qO3jRA6HH
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM2bsN5diP
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnRy3pnYY1
"Oh,695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurerlxIjRd
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKZwsPJJGm
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfV69UiYXM
who he is."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCluGGxTK5J
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOkseaAIQ1
Rhénee695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9jRNubOea
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxZpxi1UsC
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscYTQ40hx8
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xywfm4kht
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYol5D7aFIz
Rhénee695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdIreiGEVx
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGMD2JZf8Q
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu1dFxJxhp
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyxL2gmNqi
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGanwqVOnzI
"Fine,695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz6n0JQYym
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzidaUSCKzd
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmMIeJyNyQ
or die if you stay by me."695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvzz9EelDY
