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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfcYkM41qo
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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:340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdOSgLK0qZ
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"What is it, Greta?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOPLR4WEL8
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Her mouth fell agape. "How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9WDDnn1ns
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioywzu3u68
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"Well, you guessed right."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6FPMIBgLI
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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?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSionr0XxX8
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"We were going to figure something out," said Rhénee.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D2WH88DqQ
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Miss Griselda scoffed. "You sound just like your grandmother."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfb7hj0795
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow as she looked at Miss Griselda. The cat that sat on her lap raised its head.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOCNV6mec4
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"Well, let's be grateful that everything worked according to plan," said Kevin.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhMpEZFwEJ
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Miss Griselda didn't say anything as she folded her arms. Rhénee could only imagine how upset she is.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSZEG9R01P
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPFuoKztHX
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"Really? My lies aren't that convincing, you know?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRsixeC08x
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"It was when you explained the reason why I had to have my shirt changed. Just do it, and quickly."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp0YC2aTyo
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"Okay, okay. You're putting me under more pressure than she does."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuOWPKl6Sp
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkux3O2aJ9q
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"Hello, Greta?" Mrs. Derrand's hurried voice came through the speaker. "Thank goodness. I was really worried about you."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwxi7k9Ij0
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAaYBxZTws
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"And what of your brother? I've been trying to reach him too."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIzszAlxn1
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUnb9nfEqU
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn490YFOpFW
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"We know. We got a little carried away. Sorry about that."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AHEjHOAl2
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"Are you coming home now?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hkrYJ8QA6
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpjxDOXdhP
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4taWO0u34
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Greta heard her mother mutter in frustration. "Fine. Will you want us to save your supper for when you return?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0OD28fL8Y
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zDjYNxepD
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"Alright. But be safe. I'll wait up for you."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ2iqdziV4
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK9QLlkCp9
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"You see. You've become a very good liar in just one day," said Malcom.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGccfBPgGt
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpU0bgvUQj
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"Have you already forgotten that we have someone in the trunk?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXgD1BArmw
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"There's someone in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlimdrM4NtK
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"I didn't forget," said Kevin as he smiled at Malcom.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNB3FRD7yt
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"Who's in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked as she gave Rhénee and Greta a stern look.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzvalukNsY
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"Don't ask me. Rhénee said that we take him with us," said Greta.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdm4H1hSql
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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?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkc9ZIPK1J
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"Me?" Miss Griselda asked, now looking cornered. "What makes you think I know?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0krxMUS5b
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjfaSiFXZW
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9v9RsFSTH
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"Then it's a good thing that we've got someone in the trunk who can help us."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDNUscPoJE
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"And where do you expect to keep him?" Miss Griselda asked, knowing fully well the answer to that question.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ8dQz6uc6
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"Our basement, of course," Rhénee answered without a care in the world.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NNDlSpFFU
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"If we do that, they might come to your place," said Kevin. "They will know we have him."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FlT9nmHMK
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"Well, why can't we just kill him after everything's done?" Greta asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbwl3YQ0tq
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Miss Griselda shook her head. "You are all talking about killing like it's a game."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlGkJ6iPex
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMGiB1rvZn
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"And what if he doesn't give you what you want? What then?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShXKpQoBXS
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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?340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupwp7TEVkF
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"We'll figure it out," said Malcom. "Rhénee isn't alone in this."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1BH2z9IuN
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"You know, when Emelda told you to protect Rhénee, it didn't mean kidnapping people," Miss Griselda scorned.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgQ3DWKh3C
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VAXBrUf14
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"Malcom, you don't have to-" Rhénee started to say something but was quickly interrupted.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxNKl2I2e0
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtn9A7ODbf
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuYmNK4SlU
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe7udONG8K
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"Home sweet home," she muttered to herself. She has had a long day.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW22oZ4LJKc
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjFHctiHuu
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgJg3Twyzd
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnZnneiWrB
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ob3z7h1cH
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"Malcom and I will carry him into the house," said Kevin. "You can open the door for us."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uqVbIY7Hv
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNOQy4LeUn
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She quickly pulled out her gun, tucked behind her trousers. The others behind her saw.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpftVhlJLrv
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"What is it, Rhénee?" Miss Griselda asked, sounding terrified.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOok2fveLuN
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"Stay here," Rhénee warned. "Someone is in the house."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVNV8TGb9L
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHIRa13ha9
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"Are you sure someone is in there?" he asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGPQnKhLcJ
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvF9Wh08ej
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"I'll lead the way."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ61yHeN6hz
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"No," Rhénee said, holding Malcom’s shoulder. "I'll go."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOMxQgxDOq
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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?340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CzeaG2Jd3
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBjwgYDmaA
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU9B5vsxm9
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0nNm1hqV1
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dxSSy8eKx
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"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked, still with her gun pointed at whoever it was in the room.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgv0a0K8Mz
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJyn1ENK6B
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hi6wQ4pvg
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"What are you doing here, Mr. Sinclair?" Malcom asked this time around.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZh0kCLk38
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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?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNBZQi4o2q
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Rhénee slowly dropped her arms. "You also have another set of keys to the house?" she asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rw3fgtrLu
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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?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BS5aZ9OOC
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVaHCflPc4
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"Who is he?" Rhénee asked, her eyes looking straight at the stranger.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbyM1beutT
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXw01Ps9uY
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwBBnagvKq
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH9CZmS0fj
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"You don't seem surprised that I'm holding a gun, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRztxeFS7R
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Sinclair adjusted in his seat as he answered, "I'm not."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTMLwXsfEe
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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?340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO45DlOBRKo
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"Are you serious?" Rhénee could hear Miss Griselda in the foyer, along with a set of footsteps.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE8qfonrJ9
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"You can see for yourself," said Malcom.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd02BfiZy4f
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq8DWxRIsd
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"Long time no see, Griselda," came the breathy voice of the man in the corner.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHi0Eng32q
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Rhénee turned to look at Miss Griselda. "You know him?" she asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqtfYCu7en
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZx3xnWC6hd
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"So I've been told." Rhénee looked at Mr. Sinclair.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC201ZJBUGo
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"Please sit down, all of you," said Mr. Sinclair.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iDt3d3h08
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GaVi4gg4M
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"Aren't you going to sit, Rhénee?" Sinclair asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFyYiqlRtF
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"You already know what happened tonight, don't you?" Rhénee asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfeGzElLL7
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Those who were seated looked at Mr. Sinclair, looking a little surprised. Greta's mouth fell open.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J8C9BWJJf
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"Of course," he answered, giving a curt nod of his head.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbO80gMVeg
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"That means you've always known what's been going on?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7hccYuGJk
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"I don't think so. It's why I'm here."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRgC68KBc5
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91eHLKLZnv
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Sinclair cleared his throat before asking, "Would anyone mind telling me where you all were?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoylY1dxYA
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"We aren’t children for you to be asking us such a question," Rhénee pointed out.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEuk5guCre
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJJNGkeMXU
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Malcom is the first to speak after a moment of silence: "We were out in the woods."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuStLVeiw6
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEQzQHJRjm
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"Rhénee, please calm down," said Miss Griselda as she laid a hand on Rhénee’s knee.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdT2iTzIRW
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqYnqdXtJZ
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"As much as I am your lawyer—you might not like to hear this—I am responsible for you."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbbfFaVg9m
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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?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKq1ASuNQT
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Sinclair put up a smug smile. "What hell?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKpUHPSakD
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAiLkX0DrI
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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?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gJnEEFTsh
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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?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0lw3dOf86
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"It depends."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMBBjMD6GE
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"On what?" Rhénee folded her arms.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJO2n3oKlK
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"On you telling me why you were out in the woods and whatever has been going on."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL7Vaeul0S
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJtgwLrVQJ
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vnZXJ6ITE
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Rhénee stopped. "Are we going to be serious about this or not?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffw7xN4ylm
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1hkVE16uY
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"You know about that?" Greta asked, surprised.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvcK3KCjey
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"I have eyes and ears." Sinclair smiled at her.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoVs54izEJ
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"I’m guessing he told you." Kevin’s eyes flew to the man in the coat.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS0mHHOYGG
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"He just happened to be nearby when he heard the ruckus."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0rL6UeeZD
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"Wait, if he was there, how did he find himself here before us?" Rhénee asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y6eJ5P6h7
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6UT6b6LLW
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa6rb2Wu1b
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"So are you going to tell me why there was a shootout?" Sinclair asked, bringing Rhénee back from her thoughts.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L3BKnHHRF
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr5DJwX1ke
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNuS4NDaly
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlzirZAmYe
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwnko4h8U2
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"So, anyone mind telling me?" Sinclair asked as he looked at each one seated.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTWnEQBS4j
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELLQuf0mai
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUYhMhxdPL
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"I’m not saying anything on that one," Sinclair said. "Please continue." Rhénee almost hissed at him.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e6HPYoxri
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlflhmaxlfL
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"We better take that man out of that trunk," Sinclair suggested.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUP1sohOrO
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"I agree," said Miss Griselda. Rhénee couldn’t help but wonder why she answered so quickly.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2rxU2td6j
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"Kevin, let's go get him," said Malcom.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1S3QsXikP
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgZMUXDtSv
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"You came with a car?" Greta asked. "We saw no car in the driveway."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcNhC8EqFA
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"And why put him in his car?" Rhénee asked. "I need to question him first."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n38Z0x47Q
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aqdqLotI1
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"Then why aren’t you letting me?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiEFh2tKND
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxI00mwEW1
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyAo5jnuiI
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"Aren’t you now going to tell me what’s going on?" Rhénee asked after the others had left.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7Jir9cMXF
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"I will. But not now." Sinclair quickly stood from his seat as he adjusted the glasses on his face.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6V5Scd7ct
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"No fair," Rhénee quickly said, standing in front of him. "We had a deal."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt58WznF4k
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"A deal, yes. And I will deliver my part tomorrow."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmrbq1M7S4
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"No. I want you to say it right here and now."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpQSSooEAT
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo4WNOLgiL
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlENBZU1ADr
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"I called her and told her not to worry," Greta answered as she slowly stood, looking nervously at Sinclair.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqwnVcgtuB
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5JS69Cir8
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1hdOLnlSh
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"What are you going to do to the man in the trunk?" Rhénee asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkl61atMgP
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"He’ll be well taken care of. I also have to question him."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwEojxjap2
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"And you think you’ll make him talk?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9R5TSzYLZ
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"The man I came with has mad skills at making people talk."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOhyiRS8pV
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE7T7IMQKP
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Sinclair smiled. "No, you aren’t kids. Doing what you did today proves that."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpSmQ5CQeG
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvGFO9cHnT
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeTJHjijja
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHizWEc8T1
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After Sinclair walked out through the front door, Rhénee turned to Greta.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4PnwXqsQ9
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOrc1bqIfv
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ3ASOPTCJ
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac5MGnH5cq
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"Will do," said Rhénee.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbf68y58bs
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4zYk2uspT
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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?340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO96QdzVnlV
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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?340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyreCUfLSO
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTF04blsFs
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"Hey, are you okay?" Kevin asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GBnZfCUd6
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbYNihuL73
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBT5yXF26T
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"And what about you?" Malcom asked. 340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT84EpyxXBi
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IY0uDbils
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"Well, we did have quite a day," said Malcom. "I’m starving too."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgU7X1F9OH
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnzS9XZQxV
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcu4vc57iY
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3eFbWAmDN
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuwRW9tcIO
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z8jRl4WZM
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"I couldn’t sleep," Miss Marie answered him, "we have a visitor."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3UU0arwdx
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"A visitor? Who?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINV5HTZe6G
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ938fLqedra
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"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Miguel asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeJgTSVIkU
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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?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAXIlhUSvU
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwa61a80Fs
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"I thought you were going to introduce yourself to Rhénee back there," said Sinclair.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wz6k3ECws
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"It wasn’t necessary," the man answered. "Besides, there will be time for that later."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7GJ2NVZzx
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Sinclair looked at the closed lid. "Or is it that she reminds you of Emelda?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqFjAdYRwA
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIzUz8kIFP
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XU7RSHKMJ
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"Stubbornness?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡien3V3R2cH
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Sinclair smiled. You've got that right."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR5FMM2YOo
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"What do you want me to do with him?" the man asked, looking at the closed trunk.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1F8jpg6zv
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"Get any information out of him, then dump him."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyoTdbvOVq
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"You weren't going to let Rhénee interrogate him, were you?" The man raised an eyebrow at Sinclair.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofi2E0EknU
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Sinclair scoffed. "Not in a million years."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7vKfbOqMm
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYMmmzhrMZ
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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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUk3s0MPWl
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"You got it."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeYfZSGrky
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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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