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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeQfIgPhe6
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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:405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrgwd2hGLj
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"What is it, Greta?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxRPZzW7h8
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Her mouth fell agape. "How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwksm8CXg55
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwUqq5AE78
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"Well, you guessed right."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG656bxGJkB
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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?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ292hMbA5ZL
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"We were going to figure something out," said Rhénee.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOfnWpEfvB
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Miss Griselda scoffed. "You sound just like your grandmother."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3NkG7vQmJ
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow as she looked at Miss Griselda. The cat that sat on her lap raised its head.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9PfX0yqyd
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"Well, let's be grateful that everything worked according to plan," said Kevin.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0OC3pLHd2
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Miss Griselda didn't say anything as she folded her arms. Rhénee could only imagine how upset she is.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k4iHdvqWR
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6IflagpcA
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"Really? My lies aren't that convincing, you know?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKEcuoz61x
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"It was when you explained the reason why I had to have my shirt changed. Just do it, and quickly."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0BbyYsZKF
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"Okay, okay. You're putting me under more pressure than she does."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2th7es2w9i
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1adGyO9vh
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"Hello, Greta?" Mrs. Derrand's hurried voice came through the speaker. "Thank goodness. I was really worried about you."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O1Swh4alP
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwwGvGO8TB
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"And what of your brother? I've been trying to reach him too."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKkL3q906o
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOTvxXVIet
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22etg38yn6
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"We know. We got a little carried away. Sorry about that."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVN5rIzXYA
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"Are you coming home now?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopAcjHn4CH
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0oLf0pHlC
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ41EeIbeh
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Greta heard her mother mutter in frustration. "Fine. Will you want us to save your supper for when you return?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJQfAEinKf
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MWEgHGpeV
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"Alright. But be safe. I'll wait up for you."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwDCneIk4W
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRX7uhW9Ie
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"You see. You've become a very good liar in just one day," said Malcom.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3S4NHEoBV
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONdv4wCgcF
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"Have you already forgotten that we have someone in the trunk?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoogZHvVwSJ
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"There's someone in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6IAsKn58o
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"I didn't forget," said Kevin as he smiled at Malcom.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeayLoQFHoW
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"Who's in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked as she gave Rhénee and Greta a stern look.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNsONIHVC7
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"Don't ask me. Rhénee said that we take him with us," said Greta.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP2HCLoql5
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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?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JTvAAtguM
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"Me?" Miss Griselda asked, now looking cornered. "What makes you think I know?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jUXoIJ9vo
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18uGNHSMWv
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kSbDR9SVE
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"Then it's a good thing that we've got someone in the trunk who can help us."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC0ImZ4E22
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"And where do you expect to keep him?" Miss Griselda asked, knowing fully well the answer to that question.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyLELuwkKe
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"Our basement, of course," Rhénee answered without a care in the world.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID3g5JxIEv
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"If we do that, they might come to your place," said Kevin. "They will know we have him."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7YcMunC8u
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"Well, why can't we just kill him after everything's done?" Greta asked.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡercFKffejN
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Miss Griselda shook her head. "You are all talking about killing like it's a game."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ex6ojz5dR
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOXO8ljGZh
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"And what if he doesn't give you what you want? What then?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GFamd17NA
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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?405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoZ8jYrua6
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"We'll figure it out," said Malcom. "Rhénee isn't alone in this."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeJ935opX6
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"You know, when Emelda told you to protect Rhénee, it didn't mean kidnapping people," Miss Griselda scorned.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkZDyNKSOW
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJkZdzwSw9
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"Malcom, you don't have to-" Rhénee started to say something but was quickly interrupted.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYZlSYBDLy
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HoIIrSCt9
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv4NDwPQlI
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwKmzpNHJd
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"Home sweet home," she muttered to herself. She has had a long day.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBT7Po7XsT
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o3JrzM409
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO3ewWyZAg
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcFxXH6yTN
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBfTKGAAiG
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"Malcom and I will carry him into the house," said Kevin. "You can open the door for us."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4NkNnLIZl
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuasFxt0DsP
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She quickly pulled out her gun, tucked behind her trousers. The others behind her saw.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdXIxLtuni
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"What is it, Rhénee?" Miss Griselda asked, sounding terrified.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4oe7XeQhL
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"Stay here," Rhénee warned. "Someone is in the house."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrziwoD76bF
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G4vvdOgTb
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"Are you sure someone is in there?" he asked.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7zS87qIX6
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG3RKEUnIt
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"I'll lead the way."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawOBMH0fTr
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"No," Rhénee said, holding Malcom’s shoulder. "I'll go."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgocDCwgb1Q
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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?405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52C004pBxw
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtB35cZyWu
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG024OAKC1t
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITAQr3YdFw
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4aKVP9RtE
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"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked, still with her gun pointed at whoever it was in the room.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjEirT8EvL
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXRl5cVib5
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaBmFeNURa
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"What are you doing here, Mr. Sinclair?" Malcom asked this time around.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZodiHUXmd
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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?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLVWOpXbdm
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Rhénee slowly dropped her arms. "You also have another set of keys to the house?" she asked.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUqI1RzqnS
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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?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKXU5IIrQO
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ62AtFhok
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"Who is he?" Rhénee asked, her eyes looking straight at the stranger.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif34mn6ffW
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc3hmCg4L7
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsgJt3tGpK
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wlBjfudLp
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"You don't seem surprised that I'm holding a gun, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwqxAar9Jw
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Sinclair adjusted in his seat as he answered, "I'm not."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpeyHrFiB0
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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?405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPW4Pv7g14
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"Are you serious?" Rhénee could hear Miss Griselda in the foyer, along with a set of footsteps.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLszPCZ6Sc
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"You can see for yourself," said Malcom.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6x3uzrpI3
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA1b5ZlsHj
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"Long time no see, Griselda," came the breathy voice of the man in the corner.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsacThCEcUs
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Rhénee turned to look at Miss Griselda. "You know him?" she asked.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCNlTJDbwZ
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkSMxAzHeo
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"So I've been told." Rhénee looked at Mr. Sinclair.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDVX29ueU2
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"Please sit down, all of you," said Mr. Sinclair.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyau3ahnnON
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dc39DLcRa
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"Aren't you going to sit, Rhénee?" Sinclair asked.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zJMlb8OCI
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"You already know what happened tonight, don't you?" Rhénee asked.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLTCMM1J02
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Those who were seated looked at Mr. Sinclair, looking a little surprised. Greta's mouth fell open.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7wM5pry3z
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"Of course," he answered, giving a curt nod of his head.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfStHcNbeF
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"That means you've always known what's been going on?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbdOxHzCs7
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"I don't think so. It's why I'm here."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP33Sdau5A
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME8Yk5pT2X
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Sinclair cleared his throat before asking, "Would anyone mind telling me where you all were?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRJiaiA1Tr
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"We aren’t children for you to be asking us such a question," Rhénee pointed out.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s4tCRkNsi
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyr9s1oGIx
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Malcom is the first to speak after a moment of silence: "We were out in the woods."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcylIZoPoB4
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkrqOgzOXl
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"Rhénee, please calm down," said Miss Griselda as she laid a hand on Rhénee’s knee.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmhzmJlovg
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvV3NcxEMd
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"As much as I am your lawyer—you might not like to hear this—I am responsible for you."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet497qFeej
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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?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V2S6BruVU
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Sinclair put up a smug smile. "What hell?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYTyEDDrxS
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHkWBI4h3s
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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?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu0QsdtGu2
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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?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO3QtWTlkB
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"It depends."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqfeIqUmA5
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"On what?" Rhénee folded her arms.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgPWjGtcjN
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"On you telling me why you were out in the woods and whatever has been going on."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6l85AYqZb
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL8coKbX0n
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCvX278eKl
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Rhénee stopped. "Are we going to be serious about this or not?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGcVAEwfHE
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZn1B43r4m
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"You know about that?" Greta asked, surprised.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFmsrg1bJM
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"I have eyes and ears." Sinclair smiled at her.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruaGtHmPBU
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"I’m guessing he told you." Kevin’s eyes flew to the man in the coat.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CakGjHKgR
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"He just happened to be nearby when he heard the ruckus."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdBViIh42M
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"Wait, if he was there, how did he find himself here before us?" Rhénee asked.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH9A2eoVZR
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KrX2GtupT
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOUGjzEo9u
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"So are you going to tell me why there was a shootout?" Sinclair asked, bringing Rhénee back from her thoughts.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2qDM96Jsy
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSbCXWVJmf
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQL1ljmKkN
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0BnMXNIFW
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQzL5cXXfQ
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"So, anyone mind telling me?" Sinclair asked as he looked at each one seated.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk20bs91yc5
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUpF7jDlb8
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T1jDlv5nk
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"I’m not saying anything on that one," Sinclair said. "Please continue." Rhénee almost hissed at him.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHjhx4Nykn
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe9Fa3Z8zA
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"We better take that man out of that trunk," Sinclair suggested.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71Nc0BZNIB
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"I agree," said Miss Griselda. Rhénee couldn’t help but wonder why she answered so quickly.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvINNv2tsP
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"Kevin, let's go get him," said Malcom.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz4pRnnKb9
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN4v9yekHa
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"You came with a car?" Greta asked. "We saw no car in the driveway."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB73Rs3DKK
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"And why put him in his car?" Rhénee asked. "I need to question him first."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF1MIpcCx6
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbTCPOzhfP
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"Then why aren’t you letting me?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBPxr9kkQs
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1skzezdTpq
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr5E97Nque
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"Aren’t you now going to tell me what’s going on?" Rhénee asked after the others had left.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7I1lbLk3t
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"I will. But not now." Sinclair quickly stood from his seat as he adjusted the glasses on his face.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWh4CUtxfK
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"No fair," Rhénee quickly said, standing in front of him. "We had a deal."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMr85V8XB3
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"A deal, yes. And I will deliver my part tomorrow."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11w31qVp4f
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"No. I want you to say it right here and now."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfnuvyfuVT
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwgrZCjeCd
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXXwcxUI2c
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"I called her and told her not to worry," Greta answered as she slowly stood, looking nervously at Sinclair.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uV7BvTa7a
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfBGvYrDfb
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o0tqiz6oG
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"What are you going to do to the man in the trunk?" Rhénee asked.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v9sgSfGR9
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"He’ll be well taken care of. I also have to question him."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJIr0NTYYY
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"And you think you’ll make him talk?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN0O3wsAse
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"The man I came with has mad skills at making people talk."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao4MWe2t54
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RWWgOoQH6
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Sinclair smiled. "No, you aren’t kids. Doing what you did today proves that."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7oZ5fmt4J
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ehXLgBYTI
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZetI7cgjwv
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgCPIIE8Wo
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After Sinclair walked out through the front door, Rhénee turned to Greta.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2FDK08uDe
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QfYaBISDW
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisAw15BcRQ
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYMCHXtWSJ
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"Will do," said Rhénee.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3cDlUS8vg
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQJTBfCH9z
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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?405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKj7rJHv9X
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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?405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXw0ckiTy5
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw1PuaLLNx
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"Hey, are you okay?" Kevin asked.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVsSSifKui
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPij1mVmop0
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3HtturIYA
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"And what about you?" Malcom asked. 405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHEa3seNRS
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOpx0W7LVx
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"Well, we did have quite a day," said Malcom. "I’m starving too."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkwVP3hIg2
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNTvoAXuPw
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO14ITe2FQW
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv6imbliRT
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgaIELYxbE
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L3eHoSmxs
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"I couldn’t sleep," Miss Marie answered him, "we have a visitor."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwBJ9bWKlz
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"A visitor? Who?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjcGVdhj75
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrowqrTj9C
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"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Miguel asked.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspRcnJ546Z
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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?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqzFt2Ha9W
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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.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkSGbymKF6
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"I thought you were going to introduce yourself to Rhénee back there," said Sinclair.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVGQKjonwx
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"It wasn’t necessary," the man answered. "Besides, there will be time for that later."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG1d3YB1EF
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Sinclair looked at the closed lid. "Or is it that she reminds you of Emelda?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l9BMmyVJ7
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmzSfnW8En
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tOpcUE0aK
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"Stubbornness?"405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiCQWLvv3X
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Sinclair smiled. You've got that right."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljQBZG0Wwa
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"What do you want me to do with him?" the man asked, looking at the closed trunk.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eT8sCezBo
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"Get any information out of him, then dump him."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LYd6QULBA
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"You weren't going to let Rhénee interrogate him, were you?" The man raised an eyebrow at Sinclair.405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSwPGe8dmJ
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Sinclair scoffed. "Not in a million years."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6jw46DMoN
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr4rPQccTu
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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."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvAaTQkLDd
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"You got it."405Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRWv1iDMsQ
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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 protection401ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bAZgtZZrw 維尼

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