The news about the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdjUT1ftZF
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqPu2K1j3b
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoWtH0Biaw
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWENUKH8HEF
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09vxAKoxo1
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLvpUTNifx
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwf3mcc49K
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3QkSPJjeM
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2hmK0so8V
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBM5mZIDhV
There was more to it 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLTSyJRqc2
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuJ9vXSodA
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6HYrLRByP
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGdFXl08x9
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHR3gMas5L
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOMb3VWQsx
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcvTaN7ybQ
except from a few individuals. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4u7js1U7y
And apparently, one of 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fuMko9rv1
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYlCk7jb3V
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjFBZOfL9a
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2bveySmJ8
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dF2u5fXQq
really going on, all hell would break loose.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHIZZSUJDv
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2oXd6tLEi
Rhénee dropped the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYczHTI5dK
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPOWfuMNqY
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaFnSrNZvv
ear, she took a sip of coffee.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iyOanwkjW
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOVMvHcqM7
"Ya, its crazy here," 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IvFaFf5lh
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgivBtugLYQ
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqHYgQRYpe
broken in."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc6weVj9At
"If only they knew."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy9BhxoRy1
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ADm9l54Im
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMaXilqK8q
"She did. I had to make 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEirJz1Mie
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS8E6HFM4c
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc4p04sopB
"I doubt if she believed that."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveKxmCSUAi
"Haha, looks like you 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQtNPNoEZ5
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVbND6xmkG
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQhkOVm3Ci
"True. But we did. I 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3ksD2PMrY
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj2kxJojx5
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTZGZEqVwk
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa3mqbPE3r
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg9Q4WjgPJ
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSLrPHuGCg
"Okay, bye."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQhK8lPoVd
"Bye."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUlNA0j8LT
Rhénee cuts the call and752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUI8n5lnXs
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OaxFrucJx
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdVDY3dyU4
wink last night.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyKgSDcPYA
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7R3dMcGAa
"I wasn't going to 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfwnR0CVFD
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrs4FzU6Fz
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyuYpSJXs8
"You don't have to 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkWK81QGWn
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVSslCtHwA
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFySOp5WaMs
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsV4AVmUfW
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6STjfh2mfV
"Why Malcom?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ECMJJm3a6
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkPvmyNhfd
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLPlVmP3Xg
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXeraaBeUG
"Alright, you go ahead."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcM6N63eDi
Miss Griselda gave 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDcFwFSlZQ
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5IOSTbVpF
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCictkuWhl
did when they talked about Malcom. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOzdwYVMGg
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc16rLXC2f
The sound of her phone 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG5Gyi883c
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy579JuwOHC
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBJwD2ttmN
mother.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJJFdZxHKm
"Hello?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CfuoS6skh
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWntfBug3SY
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTN6PX4OLQ
That voice. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3OfAE5jhH
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2TsrA8BZ2
"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?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl1hkPIHJg
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCMiNDTCpL
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88dV0LVmkd
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcoA6wmFTk
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynBKkApSzY
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesZPp8Zg5M
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXNalb0AEy
"You don't know me, 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcpcIkAi8t
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vDFakMsnr
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKsU8kB60f
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxc08TawNV
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUMGsvAV1P
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCx9r9Q2TO
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lKtbKsRz6
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBln4BnRNl
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmWV29SWk9
"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?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTgp308dwJ
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkgFhoveUL
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZwiQiD9i5
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9L4zWZQhe
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJkY6nBAoG
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJgokOwXC4
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFmxlREfUs
"Oh, and by the way, 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjN7pyMI41
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WS9NeYINQ
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SxRo0Az9e
this time around."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjEca1u262
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2BzNwjopG
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97UGrS4lhd
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivGU5mddEL
Rhénee sat down on the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmBe6xZAo7
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXs9w2UARZ
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksDNS3aatP
the others, who know what might happen. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQHE5v1Lbm
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqRD5i5NCo
***752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0yKturLzJ
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i64Ay89WE
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqldIUqzVH5
"But she isn't hurt right?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFnWrPR7B4
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCiaJ6LDu8
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYS6HykOv5
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEuaF9ej4t
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ52B74E02m
"Nah.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tVktLquGI
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFXRASNspJ
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WwrNDvwsj
"Thats752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTSEaXiTyI
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2dQnisQM8
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6P0Q6Ba80
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ2MJoSqyZ
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSWMOI3am7
"Alright."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq4gzihvVJ
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. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8LtqtuQoH
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFlYFX9WCW
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡET8b7poXFM
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgauTlozVPB
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelBE3AcbeU
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ICyQefI4f
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt8IkemR3t
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX4DQj34hv
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOs7Nq1icy
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUey2QN7Nht
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsbzo1gCZ8
"Does it bother you?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQaQPhgcWF
"Um... not really. But.... um."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z3FG2f6kR
Eugene752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR6JRmbEIV
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPAPrjpj4s
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXRYIP02px
"Mum, are you okay?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjpLYoP8WU
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFGcKZcXdK
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBjRuQGB7T
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG54eqmve3
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5UypEnzzD
Mrs752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrbeiwivaC
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfUZocoDZw
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUOTX8vAGq
had talked about Rhénee?752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFJkAJOfvu
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz8uuHfOZw
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJEP5SzRrx
***752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdP9ZibSpC
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qUcQRsQZH
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW539V14KD
"You better rest though. You still look tired."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepjf9FYIZb
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qrm1urIzs
"No, I'll do it."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zaLNg1EF7
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTgPPF3q5D
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA1efKP0zx
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxCwScZEoB
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qJK5EDQL1
Rhénee752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzRbsyLHmX
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiXRVp2sJV
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu0gj2fgDy
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3bWMATngW
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg69q08Vmld
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvTbposnbQ
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eyk4vzwVr
"Thank752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mGp1y3Q9e
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNEAI3Kv1O
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkq5JfKaHj
"Well, yes. I still think I would."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShnZrvNjKK
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI6WPvZIS7
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YyWv6XKFN
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0y8w1QUYC
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z1VhAojDQ
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjVAonrsm7
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFemDR6RcG
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bWL9E6Swk
"Coffee will be lovely."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuB7Iwmcgk
Miss752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZmYwRBzo6
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneVh0SObKo
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6uG00GcuY
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEQFeZE00I
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNecYBbPb9
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhytKdkpF5Z
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPYnSAMIom
"What mysterious person?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwYyp74HVb
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDbWNNh3c1
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwuTUUjkf8
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrEd8H7Efx
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4PEryzdUX
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbAiZOGGs0
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMm0kk6UR5
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y9WqkDgyq
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSYQdbUKDR
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDacLqADEt
The752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBvbzIbUiM
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFqUsY7fwO
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs2kCPMPVW
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhiX5AnqmS
of this.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gOhxc71NY
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw9EeEOPmn
"I...752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0KnFNnIwn
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8NafGayGX
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVhvWR42k6
frustration. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlqlGKJnNm
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFZOQDQ13a
Rhénee752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqDf33QxhO
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx03WfTDIk
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZnbmldJvf
cups on the tray and wondered. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5N8DQo2EJ
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV55QHbUyL
752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLblg6XHusC
As752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevv8HUmS2D
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6vuvVS3QP
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6JiVr574b
reminder kept ringing in her head.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OMxeZ7Owe
"And tell your friends not to get involved."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEgudDWlng
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqumpVtA5qU
"I752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcjxrP5rMi
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwX5fP7vHm
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sq7U8I0VE
talking about, Rhénee?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfJqPUaJ7g
Rhénee752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXfSt9LgnD
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfYJ8NtEEz
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3TjLYJa4Z
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S5pnCiIOI
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCU5v9U70g
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi8oie8CcT
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYmcGqW5dY
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuChX7twisL
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GU11pKeLk
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuu0SzsqDU
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtTSuTd68j
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP9LZKHu0x
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrg6zpNBGV
***752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pQQTuljMe
Sweat752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOmcBA9EST
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMIlkI7zFN
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmY1bdRFW9
the person waiting never likes to wait.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt12I77NrYP
He752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjktBvKt0e6
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdfOit2Elm
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nbK1s5TXF
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdX1rgxYSm
second.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrcVvPOQGl
He752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoUFeiwY31
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlhxZgy7LH
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI6P7B16xv
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCOs5526EF
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji2sj19fsc
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQlryWiC6O
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtEcbYHXtv
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8CCKclCp3
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEWHRtFaFw
"You're late, again."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfemXj3Nsdc
His752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6DCcBRYcw
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUvwmEUbrq
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61fUDRWTFU
lion door knob. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZLpiwJU8o
He752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6wLtcL1X2
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VtmZlThAq
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJpF0Y569q
"What752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SF6WCNOkV
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaOQDpbc6b
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ9HIjNp3r
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YNSfMVaUY
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQoL1IPnWi
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZezGHwU5WV
A752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJjR96jbQx
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzQ2iozG9x
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lTjY4v2il
as they had their backs towards the window.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW4v8tep6V
"You know we need him," said the tall man.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLaOZAR9ve
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9udhmsIBLo
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDFLz1LWny
The752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN6ZXyzxNK
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gdqBIp0pE
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsn8uAYeND
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2uPL49QOL
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMy1rl4rzG
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjIZusxrMS
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQIXihGSmI
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13BCo2BZOd
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwLfrXrPWK
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXUIV1vbOZ
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVBsmtF1js
"What if she reveals the truth?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRuoG2r6gY
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7y402BuAq
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO58jQQZO5
For a moment, silence hung over them.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQBQTpaFx3
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhi9kN4Z1d
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C0QyQrNwq
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1EbKkh9b1
"I752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7Df5b2VMW
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4Hsg1S8wh
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFRJYZIJ3u
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FkQQ2CBGG
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUn4TH5u8o
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm7FPdpbDh
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a9wRzkhDW
***752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G1aKHsEcd
The752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTv4vzRH8U
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVvgRO9TzX
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsP2xKTmhM
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwONLeXjq8V
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwnpOHXD9C
they met, they seemed sky blue.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWz3px48y8
And752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1qla7E8NB
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi9MfLgImn
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxrkSW3LwQ
Rhénee752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz4ByvDfp1
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOKAOjD1hO
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLeuheOIJV
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfynLrs3e1S
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEblhGVCBs
coffee table in the middle.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq4q2bqr30
When752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmOMLjTqlh
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB3ek7w5Yf
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA5wgEor68
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8leg0JP3Jy
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NjqyeyYaq
"Are you sure?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6151SSdPj
"Yes, I'm positive."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLPcjF7c9W
Miss752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH5OT9JSyK
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShZ36HW8gR
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwf3wqka6u
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPy6MfLTyl
from their cups.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDhT39w0SW
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI4d5iQzbJ
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0v3Yht9DX
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbtJDopcRn
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyTMR6e7vs
"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.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4hHWsF0Lm
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrWPidZGq9
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy93Q5St5j9
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH93XM1HF0n
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AFIi3rftc
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cPzPudW6d
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuShxnVcHn
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsDm7R8SZE
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdo1WhR2jO
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oBN659aAq
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfioaeQWaG
"Oh,752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIWRFPrLJU
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrwEPOCI9d
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprWnBcwFaS
who he is."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYQyANr6rY
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxqFQXtQQg
Rhénee752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM86F222SdR
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3gYDOYf6W
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsxFreRjzg
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuCaVIQNtH
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8ZGK4PFG0
Rhénee752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL1XXYaODm
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnatT6YcYzd
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eeoI7QDfs
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdPew6W17n
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGQMjuF6Aq
"Fine,752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZijYkWKqs
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oNiXwj8Dv
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3EgFLPAYX
or die if you stay by me."752Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiIR4JvNQT
