The news about the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNWBCNcIZ3
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXfk6jptnH
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cGqngGX9g
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGuK7XW0Iq
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZwACjcXMv
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Cfd0ir5Bh
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjWYQ1JOTg
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPnCCjavx1
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfoDPzDRu3
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpulzOwRx3Z
There was more to it 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkmE4vAUSr
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRynYKss5Eo
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrEKYEjA0s
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpcRJ8AWHx
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPAl0YHAgs
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVv55DUfi7
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe9vr2jAy1
except from a few individuals. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUUZPK6VqO
And apparently, one of 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iy6l2y7Cg
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq3XltSoSl
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnRVgMqHBl
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHq6ly8ZJa
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0dJXwNiOP
really going on, all hell would break loose.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfJukK5fYi
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz1fqnmSFn
Rhénee dropped the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZZ1tGoCg6
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX5pKNr2DT
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L96FIQCxu
ear, she took a sip of coffee.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumEEMnhLEi
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0L6iGX7Ib
"Ya, its crazy here," 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgl21sJiYh
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4XwuWeX36
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkND2YmPQMS
broken in."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDxiAqCtYH
"If only they knew."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj1tU7NiBe
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ihIbsQVwL
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AbpuyWL9u
"She did. I had to make 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQVF57HYCS
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ1Mn7R0pB
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqowypBORtK
"I doubt if she believed that."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2pVsd1WgE
"Haha, looks like you 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiZCRqMapm
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGQZpYi2QS
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TIJcNCCQd
"True. But we did. I 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzEJa58b9Z
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIUu7fbQIk
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMtLq8mg4k
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58J7wbYY0o
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QQvUIiN8q
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQOtCA9C7A
"Okay, bye."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk3J4e37Ij
"Bye."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fslyNVf7B
Rhénee cuts the call and824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIv7DxG94U
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrr2Wrq1Fw
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ4CwuGi7h
wink last night.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6xpIz7MvH
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE3z6enbvH
"I wasn't going to 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM0b4VXdVq
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpuHz5Id0n
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMVOBJrMkW
"You don't have to 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNnojLHIym
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJBI2Pymsp
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4VmQ9ftgi
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAoQWwUrX2
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsDaeFOaRi
"Why Malcom?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvVKL4FxBE
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjoo6CaWrk
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKfkKCmFKo
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMUyg1SHUi
"Alright, you go ahead."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOr5u0rSga
Miss Griselda gave 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsCOSHj9u5
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAVA7VdKVT
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IFPQoaHO5
did when they talked about Malcom. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluZsrthoL5
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaW8pBvERy
The sound of her phone 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOuWknQQeE
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZljFNLHh8z
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBTs4XV6Re
mother.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlrpTnjnmh
"Hello?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqlM9n0UKU
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU960BoPvFG
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycsWDxWliA
That voice. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QgluDyzPT
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKT7d99Ne4
"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?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3gekqNNgu
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoT1H7TeBq
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvQrQnrDam
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7DUPfavw2
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpUdvfTZ67
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ICMXa5sYX
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWTeMCwcOG
"You don't know me, 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RULqsZp27
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYDdKKmxvG
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpEDxjZkOi
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdglhVc6YG6
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02CBbjSCzt
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDWQow1Qb8
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDPB8OUY7z
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgHk6H6lnn
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed6rWW2uw1
"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?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B0nnJgpMP
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4685ZO1fA
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWritgwvX5K
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5euhYCVg1F
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT51RTCMb0C
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkxPkaVWMh
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkfPaJVgSx
"Oh, and by the way, 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJxcyRV8nl
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv6qO3n3rD
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N73EjEAJ9
this time around."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozTKnrMkDX
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY7gFAjNc7
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZQPazsbAw
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmsB1wsUIc
Rhénee sat down on the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1nIdG2xGm
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBds1ooKwGR
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmskC0Kkbc
the others, who know what might happen. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QGf8Jpe3c
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegtiQLwGvY
***824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMEeXqsVOw
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaD4rni7LB
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lcx4AgaQL
"But she isn't hurt right?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCM9RLtJvB
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W7Zygp0tR
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPr8TglJw3
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZYHxruJiD
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYDn0gCEPI
"Nah.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6xLtzvRai
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU0D3ShrMG
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWdrf0M07D
"Thats824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkA83UzHTC
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI9AQCPEs0
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1zOqERyY2
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7HgIwGdvI
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26FehSf7sN
"Alright."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIBjM0qM9r
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. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF5Sb1fZA9
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq8Q0gZYPw
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMcPGbGICO
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CcJIH7bxC
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKbtCjkCqD
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ARVMtUBQh
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz7SbhsvZn
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVNh5qIQkT
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDnpsaPeUX
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlWtz9cMsa
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0AjSdBhwK
"Does it bother you?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKBy566AcA
"Um... not really. But.... um."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK2vlNBlC5
Eugene824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgWsIFyIDD
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA9wvKqdPq
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVehyfkJBF
"Mum, are you okay?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyo8aMKa9n
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wyoBMIHo9
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNjlyYrbKL
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8RN8uQerU
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwjdhF4trM
Mrs824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3XxMv061h
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BmgRkq9Z8
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvIO4kkuoi
had talked about Rhénee?824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rr5zxHnNv
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiFiNuT8rG
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaz9Q4GgW0
***824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtz7TUYIN8
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEjVYoagAR
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT75BEkCo0
"You better rest though. You still look tired."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIKcwrXpJt
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOWgHY4BYA
"No, I'll do it."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz44LdKJze
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLROXhZJSX
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnIl0FaBnl
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYoeoQ5Bk8
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeP8yVpiYH
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dna7Z6Sxp
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF00mtYzfeV
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMcbZp0S3S
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzEXHVwIK8
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgWrMUrgCo
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpguANBG33x
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45RAGrFSVC
"Thank824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTcP8SnZ5q
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQjAusoVRA
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb9QYuVYBx
"Well, yes. I still think I would."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiN5f446ne
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpazyWkbzg
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6785cUFAc
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxupi24StU
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO3sUFt36l
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrYvEYaoPe
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOMabGymYl
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBKIo5ZeOh
"Coffee will be lovely."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoEwsgdk8O
Miss824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhF1El8IAr
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2EAN3C3bN
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNxEYo05EO
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPD3A6rX1e
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnyDyXGfVZ
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqX5QC8xPi
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1FAA9BwkA
"What mysterious person?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMhWB8GyYB
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wlSvR4Ts2
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7Bn91fYyN
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFNaCexYxC
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdzT7Ofpvb
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXPLiDEkVB
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxCArx0oRz
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPvMkQIFLJ
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJxYEOAfVE
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh6kpQUmhp
The824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxGJrRuPlM
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJBukLdEEd
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QlLffEdxt
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrobkMuPpx9
of this.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcObL5pBeo2
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUHHcysNME
"I...824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99U9R3dV9u
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVaRlRNBGc
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf7DzAXpLF
frustration. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVbrfeaBB4
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv9kTpywyt
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kdAgX00xd
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ2Uzt7yPq
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3UdVjPDwo
cups on the tray and wondered. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ069v7BWd6s
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSupbAlD8st
824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgwSFugH7J
As824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCiHygCbZj
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypfJKJutm2
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNA8DcTlik
reminder kept ringing in her head.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppAfWjpnPj
"And tell your friends not to get involved."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2tO4mQdG6
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GaER85rom
"I824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFgnsns3eM
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNIh3YJTxx
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7HvszRddb
talking about, Rhénee?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoz4RXuVfP
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm3CWp7aH6
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQdYiy2w4o
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwf1BwhHJq
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5npXHeITA
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtTPUeTjHh
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jl2CiZC9O
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Kx2PNDxb
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0GXJm8Lh4
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6kdx0MZmK
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV6ekJXzqo
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6x6rXSKe8
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp6cdVcg5J
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkva1GAdVUn
***824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZwRBwz09f
Sweat824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD7MD95i83
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r8TjPbj1C
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrAxrMlHsa
the person waiting never likes to wait.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkxJyJAWGX
He824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoDwOlR3qn
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDa7B7nbdV
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3ariTzP05
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AZjooLvfW
second.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcmEPZGCTN
He824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz9zyE7UHI
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B5WFXK82s
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBOENSfDUD
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLQpOV5GTK
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavwSk6EIV3
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesjNMri9D4
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2demYY0Ju
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjvTYSKaiM
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4406JNoKh
"You're late, again."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx2jdKWOiZ
His824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cwkq2oviK
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm8UWkviYT
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDbAEF24H9
lion door knob. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyal2fNB4q
He824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKSJos08tg
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1npryvszEd
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA4XTygIfA
"What824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYu6l0i6AG
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyaiiDc6HZ
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8uFYfbLBP
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPB8b7A5sg
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lH9qIQbmN
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6LZxr4eJT
A824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBPgxeWPuu
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlHEkeY49E
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e2u37JTA2
as they had their backs towards the window.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebqbDgWGrb
"You know we need him," said the tall man.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgHxkCukNG
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwrn3FQuAB
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkGsV7AAOQ
The824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVppWSVYiT
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnCwh3wWh1
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS94Dc0g7K
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1GmxTF96f
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKcTDS2fyR
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYpjBTCVJ8
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgRVDwE6hd
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqQ8BtC8Y1
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATa5rlEhMf
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdDiK4hFiT
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYpmnbu57H
"What if she reveals the truth?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeRsVWWeB5
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAlSSHsDL9
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZmo7BOMTR
For a moment, silence hung over them.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uCXbM8pa4
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsN9nRJ3sy
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjTEZTwJ2a
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuusx2zUHjl
"I824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt0Y349yGV
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbNxVeY2hE
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2r2JmC9ZU
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nzDLAaoq4
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJEKMfDTdf
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OT4NiAesW
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEktYKgYhJJ
***824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktbrU6sFmR
The824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYu1upZN26
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKQkWnf1SH
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin72jxyLFs
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HBZ6Hgpkz
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeDEz7N1fm
they met, they seemed sky blue.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmY7FxwzKG
And824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWOzZviK0P
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbprknWCEm0
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT8qsO2SbD
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qpVy0mghA
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3yOV3eUMH
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6RYsQ4qW0
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoElYprljh
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACL6vovvQo
coffee table in the middle.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNGdDLDk7Y
When824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUU7EFOU5K
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5KdB6mWad
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNx9Ugonik
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEOziWMtTR
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaDqtuARsc
"Are you sure?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzZCtjjLEU
"Yes, I'm positive."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HbVk2R8qW
Miss824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWRtpgDS3p
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx5nrs4B8Y
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQBOoBtgYy
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9hqZqT4Wn
from their cups.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHYmuGM4wq
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hiaXpouzs
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRGXuO1ZtR
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDyf11VQdo
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWleXnxgLf
"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.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDMVTtq0Jt
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1kSMrTzpO
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuoTnN70Kh
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSeuwpPJAs
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg0IMMFMxa
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogoosdpAFX
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ8Ouv79SM
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aum1IkVg8
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNjWIfRWni
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8W2LVOWoH
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcSSsNvCf2
"Oh,824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF4ZVrqFTI
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNZT3PEo7W
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ttOLEgJXx
who he is."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsNUX6j8NP
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnaVTtwvr2
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71zRzSby3Z
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dOkBnPeBv
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBi2Eb3ObY
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0rrZRQexy
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4RcOmfidg
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6Ynh2bMjN
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxNZRfPNp3
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNTkafoine
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZodn9U60Zm
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yqFW0JI4O
"Fine,824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5QUVX4rpK
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDkJPM1PYm
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVFsWMGxF1
or die if you stay by me."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQovmM4Uc4
