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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpeVp8XYzt
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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:354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qQ8HWGzuC
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"What is it, Greta?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbhPHwDoQD
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Her mouth fell agape. "How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmx5oiRjrW
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw2YUoZZ7i
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"Well, you guessed right."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWsee8E1ZU
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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?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9iF8vg6hT
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"We were going to figure something out," said Rhénee.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN1XqNLwqP
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Miss Griselda scoffed. "You sound just like your grandmother."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7yTBuBf2y
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow as she looked at Miss Griselda. The cat that sat on her lap raised its head.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfe34GmPEZ
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"Well, let's be grateful that everything worked according to plan," said Kevin.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlzRyN5iTE
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Miss Griselda didn't say anything as she folded her arms. Rhénee could only imagine how upset she is.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNvSUUjrpS
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6DguHWHtV
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"Really? My lies aren't that convincing, you know?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5RnGUkS6w
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"It was when you explained the reason why I had to have my shirt changed. Just do it, and quickly."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedsUu3Bh3E
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"Okay, okay. You're putting me under more pressure than she does."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dCpqbBRXz
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1N0GYxkA2
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"Hello, Greta?" Mrs. Derrand's hurried voice came through the speaker. "Thank goodness. I was really worried about you."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT0F5pfNqr
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgpqt20onl
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"And what of your brother? I've been trying to reach him too."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8ml1V0f5d
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fkl6TX9j8
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBtbKp8RWj
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"We know. We got a little carried away. Sorry about that."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkS7ZijbxR
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"Are you coming home now?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK2HntcVOE
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRNWiHEGHm
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhBtonMYM0
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Greta heard her mother mutter in frustration. "Fine. Will you want us to save your supper for when you return?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpLqnYNjOm
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCicXF0pxx
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"Alright. But be safe. I'll wait up for you."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqTZ80Cnpy
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgXvqF8a8M
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"You see. You've become a very good liar in just one day," said Malcom.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyzEwbD5qi
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1SW2KE9dx
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"Have you already forgotten that we have someone in the trunk?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6ZM7BBpFm
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"There's someone in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamk0AU4jLv
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"I didn't forget," said Kevin as he smiled at Malcom.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTWvPC5a0k
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"Who's in the trunk?" Miss Griselda asked as she gave Rhénee and Greta a stern look.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONM7Pe6iik
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"Don't ask me. Rhénee said that we take him with us," said Greta.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0zBjNrj5k
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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?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xgxyS6Hxa
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"Me?" Miss Griselda asked, now looking cornered. "What makes you think I know?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxym93bpd5
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxpWTxS518
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU8Vv6EoB9
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"Then it's a good thing that we've got someone in the trunk who can help us."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj17LrKt5x
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"And where do you expect to keep him?" Miss Griselda asked, knowing fully well the answer to that question.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ6ilxsHcI
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"Our basement, of course," Rhénee answered without a care in the world.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0xHc1qz6S
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"If we do that, they might come to your place," said Kevin. "They will know we have him."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6vFkrmcU9
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"Well, why can't we just kill him after everything's done?" Greta asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VJwwsDLoL
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Miss Griselda shook her head. "You are all talking about killing like it's a game."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0gpVymx5y
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkBuOnT0fH
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"And what if he doesn't give you what you want? What then?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7P077faBy
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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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FDLGnpA0F
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"We'll figure it out," said Malcom. "Rhénee isn't alone in this."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyYDK8B4md
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"You know, when Emelda told you to protect Rhénee, it didn't mean kidnapping people," Miss Griselda scorned.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4Of0IQ9xE
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGnVG0GLoO
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"Malcom, you don't have to-" Rhénee started to say something but was quickly interrupted.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH877q6t9hN
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoilfCdnqK
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ5MkwzNUn
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytwPNPojfe
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"Home sweet home," she muttered to herself. She has had a long day.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5vtwQQucD
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9tEfV52B3
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvX9k9RENa
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN5cWYotuz
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJjzBpra3o
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"Malcom and I will carry him into the house," said Kevin. "You can open the door for us."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVCef3Ku7n
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcTVHGsVCX
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She quickly pulled out her gun, tucked behind her trousers. The others behind her saw.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Rr3I0mArE
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"What is it, Rhénee?" Miss Griselda asked, sounding terrified.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa42ev1iClG
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"Stay here," Rhénee warned. "Someone is in the house."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYblu3L2so
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLcnuVkxCv
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"Are you sure someone is in there?" he asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFP8iYKBcH
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpFTEexkSG
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"I'll lead the way."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEDKV1Aaxw
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"No," Rhénee said, holding Malcom’s shoulder. "I'll go."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulHEf4g37l
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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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemun0C3rpp
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8eJxkfrEh
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPPqhBYit6
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkmQgKOY2r
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE0l7avL3V
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"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked, still with her gun pointed at whoever it was in the room.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnToR440Ye
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvSEjdsrMh
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvn3RqQTA1
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"What are you doing here, Mr. Sinclair?" Malcom asked this time around.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHpGOMG9OH
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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?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv1KLhlFiC
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Rhénee slowly dropped her arms. "You also have another set of keys to the house?" she asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5i66AHaNL
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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?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJM9YtgUbo
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmgl4ZCp6Q
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"Who is he?" Rhénee asked, her eyes looking straight at the stranger.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0sB1vsvZ9
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaphat8pX7
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLbDbwA8kv
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3CVD2eF4u
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"You don't seem surprised that I'm holding a gun, Mr. Sinclair," said Rhénee.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2Q8P4DPBg
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Sinclair adjusted in his seat as he answered, "I'm not."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KjhWYGoV9
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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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYJBJsYXCI
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"Are you serious?" Rhénee could hear Miss Griselda in the foyer, along with a set of footsteps.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwCq6qOvx2
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"You can see for yourself," said Malcom.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rWOzrqciw
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECqe4Q0jDp
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"Long time no see, Griselda," came the breathy voice of the man in the corner.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNB9oxJd8z
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Rhénee turned to look at Miss Griselda. "You know him?" she asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OIhWmP5QZ
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK3Rd3cara
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"So I've been told." Rhénee looked at Mr. Sinclair.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpkFQ68goY
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"Please sit down, all of you," said Mr. Sinclair.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHVGbQ8kZv
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihVwfW77ZK
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"Aren't you going to sit, Rhénee?" Sinclair asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaKbhViSh0
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"You already know what happened tonight, don't you?" Rhénee asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTTlHbPEh0
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Those who were seated looked at Mr. Sinclair, looking a little surprised. Greta's mouth fell open.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBOd41oe9N
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"Of course," he answered, giving a curt nod of his head.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp1bmFIBC3
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"That means you've always known what's been going on?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj72omNLvw
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"I don't think so. It's why I'm here."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0ANyxczlj
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ogpCXEpGm
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Sinclair cleared his throat before asking, "Would anyone mind telling me where you all were?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygIgqKP0cY
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"We aren’t children for you to be asking us such a question," Rhénee pointed out.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyJMCsyXQb
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rUXWpKu9W
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Malcom is the first to speak after a moment of silence: "We were out in the woods."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq0ID2mhja
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyFVmCktaQ
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"Rhénee, please calm down," said Miss Griselda as she laid a hand on Rhénee’s knee.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7HCAt4aGA
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYdWYlNF3a
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"As much as I am your lawyer—you might not like to hear this—I am responsible for you."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhrvexeC8z
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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?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw8XnDTF03
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Sinclair put up a smug smile. "What hell?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzKLQGLXGy
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwsgQdzpJ2
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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?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYfEJ4iIKA
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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?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE0vg7pdV8
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"It depends."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4vybX4XK2
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"On what?" Rhénee folded her arms.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmRKee3nRJ
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"On you telling me why you were out in the woods and whatever has been going on."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98cH0Q1Ruk
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlMvmEeqnv
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc16DCp0zl
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Rhénee stopped. "Are we going to be serious about this or not?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKFQXqc1D6
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRj4SrjeAx
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"You know about that?" Greta asked, surprised.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8Ng15EWTK
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"I have eyes and ears." Sinclair smiled at her.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYHOq9xVgN
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"I’m guessing he told you." Kevin’s eyes flew to the man in the coat.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFglwn31Lnx
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"He just happened to be nearby when he heard the ruckus."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUJfdZNFp0
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"Wait, if he was there, how did he find himself here before us?" Rhénee asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwwFuURixG
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJtBBCLXde
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IOleq63Ch
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"So are you going to tell me why there was a shootout?" Sinclair asked, bringing Rhénee back from her thoughts.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4p7psUG8h
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOtTIjaFTO
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC5avFaD6Q
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPVb2dA8aj
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkL07g7oju
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"So, anyone mind telling me?" Sinclair asked as he looked at each one seated.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N4mvEX8C4
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjHGuxNmh8
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt969OJytZz
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"I’m not saying anything on that one," Sinclair said. "Please continue." Rhénee almost hissed at him.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEMpDxl5DL
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCnwHdbBT5
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"We better take that man out of that trunk," Sinclair suggested.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5BksneBXh
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"I agree," said Miss Griselda. Rhénee couldn’t help but wonder why she answered so quickly.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t8mgnnMtP
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"Kevin, let's go get him," said Malcom.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG0ibImgZ5
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKureZwoQl
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"You came with a car?" Greta asked. "We saw no car in the driveway."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY6mwm1kRq
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"And why put him in his car?" Rhénee asked. "I need to question him first."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw9nx03NKs
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ0zvBL4cn
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"Then why aren’t you letting me?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4g3QJFSTC
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92g9m5RLqz
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjDKb1CC3U
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"Aren’t you now going to tell me what’s going on?" Rhénee asked after the others had left.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRTqLS7lwi
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"I will. But not now." Sinclair quickly stood from his seat as he adjusted the glasses on his face.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMQfWVvftv
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"No fair," Rhénee quickly said, standing in front of him. "We had a deal."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdn4HgShfW
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"A deal, yes. And I will deliver my part tomorrow."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcvDylEgVf
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"No. I want you to say it right here and now."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUaqSuIFH4
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfjMX6FWc3
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzRR1eOfv5
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"I called her and told her not to worry," Greta answered as she slowly stood, looking nervously at Sinclair.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyC6NQWIRH
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXQCr0t55N
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfhxH2FlM5
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"What are you going to do to the man in the trunk?" Rhénee asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LV8AsT1Xz
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"He’ll be well taken care of. I also have to question him."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToJAGzgRdN
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"And you think you’ll make him talk?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ny0gtHtZJ
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"The man I came with has mad skills at making people talk."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fOP1WIw8J
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyBFFPwnb6
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Sinclair smiled. "No, you aren’t kids. Doing what you did today proves that."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq149dxNYAF
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpGBN7dEyi
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl0GwTRzCf
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ksHYKDowF
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After Sinclair walked out through the front door, Rhénee turned to Greta.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69SlwgquhZ
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmCVYyU1NN
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb1mfZ0UaM
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA8DS0AVnX
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"Will do," said Rhénee.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisLRJqMjnl
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9jVj1CIYv
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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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9unaSn0sOV
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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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhAe0Wc5IC
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xDGUAhQio
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"Hey, are you okay?" Kevin asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEmkbywlbx
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYF3bZ5gNp
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFFhKXkEaG
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"And what about you?" Malcom asked. 354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NHKzbCz5r
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡado3xsbDgJ
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"Well, we did have quite a day," said Malcom. "I’m starving too."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGor4e4nwx
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeveIAirsyp
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXqgvtNTpY
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmL004JR80
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPrWaPBCAB
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2sYm512Jn
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"I couldn’t sleep," Miss Marie answered him, "we have a visitor."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkFcQ9B79v
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"A visitor? Who?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3Wnnwmu41
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv8MEIt9rl
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"Eugene, what are you doing here?" Miguel asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrtQwb8yEP
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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?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4Yh2AJ62I
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***354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGtIUWsgEG
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyfgcm0let
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"I thought you were going to introduce yourself to Rhénee back there," said Sinclair.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx1ZqFgurW
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"It wasn’t necessary," the man answered. "Besides, there will be time for that later."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsWNESMRLr
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Sinclair looked at the closed lid. "Or is it that she reminds you of Emelda?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89Nsn03P10
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU2B0LQ5y2
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvOsrq7vRU
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"Stubbornness?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFD5dMlnom
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Sinclair smiled. You've got that right."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PxIdlpcgh
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"What do you want me to do with him?" the man asked, looking at the closed trunk.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY2P5efWfa
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"Get any information out of him, then dump him."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gwPKHf79h
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"You weren't going to let Rhénee interrogate him, were you?" The man raised an eyebrow at Sinclair.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprOYh6jUli
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Sinclair scoffed. "Not in a million years."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaKzGVGUBH
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8i5paJ22x
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9utLD6p0Y
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"You got it."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop4KtLlDFV
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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 protection350ＰＥＮＡＮＡitgW0jCnnU 維尼

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