The news about the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ69x0wUru
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuqqwTuVvk
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRunDHF0ioR
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qcvmbrha1
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM61mE4oa7
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP98nXU44kO
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpknOC7F3AT
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4Nj9hQvTX
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gvVNx3jBM
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX4w8IO24S
There was more to it 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU8DV54BYN
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1ekr4K0E3
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbMYrNeoHP
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlLczplpFs
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOcvxSPQGr
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLgWcYO2lB
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2s4dWHqPr
except from a few individuals. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWWiYafbUv
And apparently, one of 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvqsUwpnzk
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23OgYro9EG
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3xNb173SS
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfv4ZxS91g
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZfkXAFTam
really going on, all hell would break loose.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiqIk4OpES
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MMi1bKc08
Rhénee dropped the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPsEQpwe7x
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGUpLhIZOj
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5ptusqjNc
ear, she took a sip of coffee.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWFQAJ4cP6
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQse9hmoiY7
"Ya, its crazy here," 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXcyoVQArn
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCTJEp5JjY
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyaoUzkBAr
broken in."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZObSIMYIXF
"If only they knew."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk9OQW3zjU
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsDP5hTJGn
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE85Am1JR1r
"She did. I had to make 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr0UHDqXYz
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMq3gQ4akg
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sCawRbJNr
"I doubt if she believed that."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmaql9aFiJ
"Haha, looks like you 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT1Fsz5MkI
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfVRDPp9Ng
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg0wbERLcO
"True. But we did. I 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ftQ2EA2TS
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OASNQ9XGN
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXYZs24N8Z
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYSNHsPGw9
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr4dL3FNp2
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaExoQoPSYq
"Okay, bye."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspT3P9MfFF
"Bye."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPnJp8woH8
Rhénee cuts the call and746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCevW5DRSeA
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvrRJqsUdt
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAf1n39xam
wink last night.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD9OlYMuMb
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SEjJk6nMK
"I wasn't going to 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUFshN7AIS
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYVuvzdsvD
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3M0px1lsG
"You don't have to 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SPu49O3PS
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0n5XmgHJ5
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk26RC8jJy
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBevVKC2tU
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h2yYY96Te
"Why Malcom?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6cEIwKlrD
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtrXi48dNk
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1CnmEAmfB
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkabRX1vpBg
"Alright, you go ahead."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObHCycXQzp
Miss Griselda gave 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFslVPAKRq
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K3AUp6mNZ
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMG3kcj8Bn
did when they talked about Malcom. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSAZdhCMfJ
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5kKu8NqpY
The sound of her phone 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonaqawIYK9
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLlRfz4lAT
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglkiWsj2U4
mother.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUNi9cVhl4
"Hello?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmvoHInZQW
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYiJALyJey
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkW96jgFBm
That voice. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8vibuotb8
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLwHD1huNw
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyAWjHti9X
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLu7Uv9JFQ
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsocRaaQ4Md
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15vu9srXs8
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4A9TXOSLq
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh7vSYJAhw
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bS2iYdsZ7
"You don't know me, 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpPmVKyCIR
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQWcZFQKnQ
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMB1pm2d48
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0I4cdyDac
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU395nXPqV
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxDAlBFKO4
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8zGm5IZ8I
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n0PnyQWxO
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwlXlKbbmK
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aFHeGmHbB
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7nwxSQYEF
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKrYHHJS5N
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQMO85MHud
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdRnHr7PIi
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWvB5moAbn
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3QROXnvg5
"Oh, and by the way, 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV22hyBq5gL
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8n5AwDGJv
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXlcqafcnJ
this time around."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtjTtrq8vS
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcxLQxMD4y
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6AmWJDir3
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcCNHDGTKq
Rhénee sat down on the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuasUvxkkdA
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPv0EtScJg
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbsN7EWT3Y
the others, who know what might happen. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBI1E9ChTK
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPJ2Mdpg3q
***746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZJLOD7lSF
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCRilFmLUi
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1cIcqv4iJ
"But she isn't hurt right?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriUo3Th6nW
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hZzXzpMei
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DGuq9yYAI
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcllDUkLeI8
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQEb3wX5Vx
"Nah.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXsStRAxcv
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQTwRdLLQy
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MbOLk4dQZ
"Thats746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawwpTSVL3R
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wyhM49EYJ
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrFT6k5aei
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbYgoqW8mi
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsCfIYCWQx
"Alright."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeP5oEtCOP
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaOiXbPLNW
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5z5RpfLAI
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FveaX0ujd
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4ZX5XUES9
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYanIH5chv
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilshSCK5yB
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvEwkFMB4z
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU84gQYnRX6
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQReGR5U5BO
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiLe55DB2s
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqiVDK0hFx
"Does it bother you?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkRnZSByp0
"Um... not really. But.... um."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi526JSfRMi
Eugene746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2Y6waL29d
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVqKYfbMkG
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9yWD2y697
"Mum, are you okay?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqsNyQKLRQ
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlIY4wk3tD
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJUb3dSpge
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFSHVGwoq3
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22YI0py2B1
Mrs746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxbB4DWZjV
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIQZuTKC72
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmjdkZ8EKo
had talked about Rhénee?746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9lXzdEjhJ
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZexRuLzSPF
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpildQsDNMA
***746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNA9cJnSY7
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMlwugWria
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNj0nhKB4r
"You better rest though. You still look tired."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxtNkSEPFq
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwwvLMca1L
"No, I'll do it."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46c5qVsHcN
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBXfFcZdGD
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslA6W5kyHU
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSIHv2SGNx
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc1t71k1Tb
Rhénee746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d755dlhGb
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmj6vogMQX
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSkcZRVQ6P
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZaWKxfkCe
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcAamzalFo
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4AnwuU4Jg
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurOHTAms0l
"Thank746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNzc2Vhito
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IDZWR2yzl
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zgz4gS5L4
"Well, yes. I still think I would."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ1M6e5Mjl
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRNfzdvFZr
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPCRgo8hW1
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfms4417zMS
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFRQqxDMyE
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1zCVIPmJS
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSSBK5qXnc
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCxFcrpI2I
"Coffee will be lovely."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq04yLQ4U5
Miss746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefuhoe2HWd
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2QTRxk2VS
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV62n53GTh
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqwCe3sQ0s
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBA6Ph93vs
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs0eapX3vv
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWsnHgCR1j
"What mysterious person?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSwUGhbY18
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEhzswDWG9
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtde0Dy3cHE
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJRkvJz06F
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2vuEEmtYk
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Qc8BxYDDp
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq0byKtsX3
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W86G4i2c0
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEZ1CycSvE
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN6lwcCERS
The746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKrHJ8hTUO
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4C37mV6VQ
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8J3MDfonJ
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIQsXdlVZB
of this.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtmJePfQp0
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp7v7TLCrP
"I...746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV1X05Mg9A
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXBVi8cIKW
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2l2K8bGiu
frustration. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy56mFK03o
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnwbFTaxNW
Rhénee746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3F9IAEaQu
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7upcN3o9n
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yNOYgPHwo
cups on the tray and wondered. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR63Z6ki4s
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVd8zFcwDv
746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2i5WF9Bsa
As746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsLK3RVWmF
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFMhcvyQus
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC5euxwd2R
reminder kept ringing in her head.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdnGUiur1X
"And tell your friends not to get involved."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoMO1bPPdk
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMsBOlgCg8
"I746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxJ0WJofI5
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNCrMV13kE
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiSPVe0AUp
talking about, Rhénee?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO21FFH33O
Rhénee746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6bxdUoztb
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl56jlBgvO8
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNRjZQ8T79
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb3EykTPEt
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaXSXlhABr
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB83R6xkwyn
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42gxSm4EPf
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0ESmyzdwN
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGApMsOAYGk
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2y4DDaXeL
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF2SpQof3A
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AzqtzKyZH
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0domD5rnX
***746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEG7zUIkQY
Sweat746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlziQToV8m
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrmNT3fELE
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsCtii4pDD
the person waiting never likes to wait.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MJLSxmjvJ
He746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoidVBMuF7j
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEll0Io6sei
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ormu7FoCo
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX56n94p4AR
second.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnEHsraCLp
He746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6wsmcaa5c
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyyUH8J0mx
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobwKu8tZ8H
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5o42uCf22
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRNlfVKw1y
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHxWnCoS2z
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuUkZa78b5
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFQkdGZ652
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhT88aiSaY
"You're late, again."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDvEhmNbI4
His746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAdhPgvTAn
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvXcKZ7uYs
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDVMl6gs6q
lion door knob. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRa3VK5exz
He746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHvEJOoSB6
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtWXz0X611
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kvfkEEkEG
"What746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ031YhlKpHU
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK4RZwmDXn
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaL3aDZR1Z
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2mGPQwN35
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEeXJXxLJx
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fHH0IdyQH
A746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC2lB5MUmM
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5gYaOyLK2
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDBE3d6zrp
as they had their backs towards the window.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeqCQdKzq7
"You know we need him," said the tall man.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgFv8TTJnb
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt7o8sef0Q
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHksekloWD4
The746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexbuYZyEM1
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs0cBDr9q1
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtb63sFuec
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDweDUAcAG
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7f3zNypq1
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqcR87wdHG
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qcVcEH26S
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQrZVxDbdT
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8kENzkLfO
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIbnspoBFR
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSytMgVQyQ
"What if she reveals the truth?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ0Qmj212e
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn46NzXz0jU
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hZuyQCOyI
For a moment, silence hung over them.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYdz8tTp08
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLgmE2rAJL
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaaApMcxAQ
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EQ3PW7r59
"I746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y5RNEfIbs
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabTrVjx9q8
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8G1PNZVYN
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXdUY7eo6H
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8J6ciPsj0
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFBfipxeRO
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH81jEwPQwV
***746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvQu0Tt2fI
The746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFEDLToyCy
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIetalIsA39
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej4BWcrP4Q
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1FhfLFw1r
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2DnWUvWf7
they met, they seemed sky blue.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErSuEfBAOO
And746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JKBAlJ0Av
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUisLH5Ywri
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwp0FdJPOJ
Rhénee746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFo6IlSEni
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWM78zRo2i
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMBMR8uQPT
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kiBjBt2wS
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmSCsQhQf3
coffee table in the middle.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW65vdTKMjl
When746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7xFwIMyNs
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCTXNAHeyG
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhzjzTrEeO
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGcF0sAKk3
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2P5MLIF55
"Are you sure?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bPZZFT7HR
"Yes, I'm positive."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNvcz2FQlx
Miss746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj51A3WBs2
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiwdOdXtjn
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV4rABoOsW
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jVfefKrad
from their cups.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3Juziejqh
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlxC55ixGS
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAV2Mge7Fa
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ464nxscssb
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ13MWq2LO9
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAFyHkWVSy
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWiVyGxpRF
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIr45FNWQn
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5kCihskiA
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSpmwzbMuA
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyZwLO1xaY
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaoZglizFT
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gz6ONv6aQ
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNT9SE0vfQ
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98NaxKzHyI
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjGirwIXV2
"Oh,746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlpevSeH3z
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGflyqKgMT
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCsm81I17B
who he is."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42ZSma2U18
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVwxLg0e9D
Rhénee746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOBwVJpp0T
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMEIod6JQI
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3wkv9mJbl
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQR1pg7KUj
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncvvSL56q1
Rhénee746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrNqI7XIDI
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8FvuuKPJE
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4qWozfq9S
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5CysMhxzj
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEknXW75Jy
"Fine,746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9sdNniIxW
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6icVHqb4Rg
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjDchB2Zrm
or die if you stay by me."746Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFtgbV6JOF
