The news about the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz41Oy9EgmC
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3NzRRDF3Y
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1mtFZG0op
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y0LJ7uc2n
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOkXDYvQNW
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZAZBqTfz6
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssJYZ5jifV
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vsZ9FkR1r
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkLdLFJ5Zd
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrElLCKKRgs
There was more to it 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bOkGISiBv
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18Iv7D0jYL
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9P6caO5JY
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2ESl0tNI1
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPEbiqwOch
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fYMWxMMoh
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DdW9U8nN7
except from a few individuals. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtaRgGlCpn
And apparently, one of 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3GIdSmOcW
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vmCTn41Sa
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8KOuZL3AI
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LeJt1GFyh
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZEAqUo2ai
really going on, all hell would break loose.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNs8BqenW0
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTncAuNJSiE
Rhénee dropped the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhy2BsZeUF
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6B2htR93q
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMl1ebUctx
ear, she took a sip of coffee.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT5JteZCYv
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KwC3IeKcX
"Ya, its crazy here," 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BzBNcW5x9
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3UMuBWdFj
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbx96vbUO3
broken in."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnkPK46ngc
"If only they knew."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFg8h2DZLT
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXfLdsSl7t
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpGTC5FW5D
"She did. I had to make 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpnD6MKtSn
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SJDacaCKH
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9E3k2Aam7
"I doubt if she believed that."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgORN5eHeH
"Haha, looks like you 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjJKsWW4Qi
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC8a2fMf0V
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLqfbOmbCi
"True. But we did. I 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0XkWpveFx
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaHVatUuYV
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aF2AUCdjE
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fIkFKC2Xz
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsfg4R4R3J
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtd3TpUtTw
"Okay, bye."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmckjXrUuWz
"Bye."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVknwT5MQC
Rhénee cuts the call and798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgThk7DJzi
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB8KHe8Jnj
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj7WlFbgjR
wink last night.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapoqnLeXwB
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa5w7496wj
"I wasn't going to 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VdFNqUtXB
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc806TnQ5Bl
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLZ75kWwLF
"You don't have to 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j1qcOBjfv
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjModw1P6g
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitJnf7RKaW
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEzrwHrP1m
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEanyRTg4p
"Why Malcom?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JFa9MV9ho
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRFWP6COzR
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcXOc1mlhj
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEowgRn3Dg
"Alright, you go ahead."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNF7Qv99KP
Miss Griselda gave 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoBLvjB6IK
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ981G1zgCcX
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfmIfOuirs
did when they talked about Malcom. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCA3TuCXvB
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWngZm0JUsH
The sound of her phone 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCNDneXAZu
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHZdFJnJjF
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPipBISXs9f
mother.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlMrHbWY25
"Hello?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCYEC9UIrn
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4CfvHd2RN
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9437cANcS
That voice. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwmfCKyxKF
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg0FdXsral
"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?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mjNyZBB8J
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSWwwe5PVe
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe6ppnppFg
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkdI6tJV71
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4MSf5KKyS
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YPADDihgF
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcAIzXXdsK
"You don't know me, 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7Qkjz7II0
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVMnkf6dRc
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv6MiQ2EcE
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKbgTCSp8h
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo5016mjND
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9LtbJiK8K
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60oGncxl2x
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltFk7zMMdX
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5bdmSb5O0
"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?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JRGYyNXnI
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTRcRX5hNJ
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tGnq4yUEW
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXxWJnEXSM
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF24U0yI7B
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaLH8Hs2L1
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EG4dJR0wi
"Oh, and by the way, 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMV6cShitG
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHF2MkkuUE
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDb65Uu1Br
this time around."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGS7T2BAjt
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbddXVjL616
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmtB5iWvrA
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKb5Cfp7cm
Rhénee sat down on the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVYrUY7SkJ
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48lXCD18t1
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqFvYek7Xm
the others, who know what might happen. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKWkKE70Mb
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ92nVsqOiu
***798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6whoFwwi47
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIEmdvHjDo
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq4ZHMHUje
"But she isn't hurt right?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYCbWlblcp
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXloXPS6YAb
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ6jZ7tFwu
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kSvpJQyPB
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRViUC3aQxv
"Nah.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSTDY38M2t
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vyv5w6fsS
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5znwHVQcs
"Thats798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBwPPdZ1oq
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXgQ6tLW9C
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWOMJl6eTs
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBFNzVU2Lc
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4ZlRR9Qqq
"Alright."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8n6nPjz9C
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. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4rLJSxUOb
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2XQY0Qe2I
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sAgCd1rCj
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFw3Cgqk8P
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGGvTT3H94
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbGT3IRUz5
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2q52fEFRF
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj85ffUwpw
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLg56X4L27
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUR4lEUn55
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YhQEGsU3n
"Does it bother you?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QZIMeeDRR
"Um... not really. But.... um."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WRCCr0Csr
Eugene798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcg4VoQ4IR
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32M9ovhCtD
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdVHSJ7pUo
"Mum, are you okay?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97gYNOeHsM
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VLVPTJ2DG
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCTAAPgM7q
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54G0cmrqDA
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWE3EGxWsz
Mrs798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA90vfh4qRE
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJHDemaC0Z
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaybH3xvTY
had talked about Rhénee?798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYZloc0x0j
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirjsILwMN4
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwOfjMfiIG
***798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1pqMu12k8
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSgFKWS6tX
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52AkNfc3Zm
"You better rest though. You still look tired."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo0t5n2UEW
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fkW0ql43n
"No, I'll do it."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo4opSmTC5
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKnLHYQMMc
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDpHUKA6k4
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkI3Czu1Eo
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznGI88zQoZ
Rhénee798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFecv0WHm1k
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWWsErScWN
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlmqT5YqPG
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuEG2zVBKT
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW8Urk7ZCa
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0MfE2dAtD
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw3oTMWzxd
"Thank798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ct8cqJrpn
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6pr0AxHaL
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT2Acl6lj1
"Well, yes. I still think I would."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgBrT3vCH7
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVP5XI1cLu
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm0PrvA7z4
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseXHC5N6Ci
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmmgbyPhQt
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBxizgZcGH
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4UoweLFg7
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE16qiyK6P
"Coffee will be lovely."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUIXqdNswe
Miss798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwWihg1FRb
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKOU7hlBnp
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNlF5fCRl6
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHSqjHVIdx
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq1QXL9Guf
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAjTO060nF
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCfNupP8rF
"What mysterious person?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB2eyyItpb
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSt7Pri1Nj
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8nqEKkFP6
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei13QmKWqx
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG44ydjmIsv
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOrcyXj7U5
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2LQjcBYEQ
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgc8Fc1OdJ
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo9qMLUa4s
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI9Zdh8dUI
The798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9rzgg1RoQ
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrOsZ7lut6
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaarGL73LXe
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbocuuRJpt
of this.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjIrqr1IUZ
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6pi8z636u
"I...798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUBAQTRTfM
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1CMR5BMHs
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CkprBi8Us
frustration. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX51Ai2lvG
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YoP47xgsF
Rhénee798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORvaynk38Y
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtNtCgVT0U
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VmGKpzrkw
cups on the tray and wondered. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RTptihNKS
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuESnbZ9nsU
798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQYUznUdow
As798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M1hSH0K4V
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrd79HkscU
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnty7X4KtKC
reminder kept ringing in her head.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb9TFZjl8C
"And tell your friends not to get involved."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI4GgTWusQ
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNDn1Zb18X
"I798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP9PjRupoj
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyupri1igoX
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnKqXXuC0v
talking about, Rhénee?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4jyfFIslh
Rhénee798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpWkBMylUn
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw40sdbF7pf
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufTjGu3hiq
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pWZPWT76y
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J1jl6RsQI
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bfwNt7uY5
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAIGxJwANx
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnTQc7XMN1
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZZWiS83Sg
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcWdhusH4X
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibKai19qd5
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UQZfeaxWV
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9OCtVUcLT
***798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPXWl2ydhV
Sweat798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCTZQnPQVw
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ctIHJSAIf
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqoet0gTmW
the person waiting never likes to wait.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir2v2zEWDu
He798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3asgjs0fr
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdkk96NiMB
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro5eI5F3jM
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwMtAYXh1j
second.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaKXHbuw01
He798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBQP9xr0SE
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveizDlKbMQ
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtGfEtCKG9
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZAfJfo5ka
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OMQ4qzfnd
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dzc7Yzzk1
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4Zm5czIgW
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPWxvk9AR3
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VLqlGwNcR
"You're late, again."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dmJQaj6p8
His798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvj4EMT3u5
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2WhFfWiJx
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKegLf7RuS
lion door knob. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHUEP9SfSz
He798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnedaGTLDv
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo77a3uTkU
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgmh8jfopX
"What798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuVjLHhQLb
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0UWomwWZg
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfAff9bNi6
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6nuhcyBQf
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MCAchtu7U
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExaP9WUjQq
A798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzvA8NGeX4
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErjxaapbbu
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLc91dCSXQ
as they had their backs towards the window.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbugI3ITqL7
"You know we need him," said the tall man.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlGdimP6YA
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y9WyhB7kb
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs98BWwsP7
The798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3TKAG1k87
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48i9ELSi4Q
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBskF1CVOtM
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbV91fujZp
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SSAoiUXIq
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi4qrTy8o4
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRZnzMkWjO
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFY0Wt9kkE
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FCmv4J58z
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MVdsyMdke
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpch163KtaF
"What if she reveals the truth?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZqhiw0uCq
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xizEeS9Mf
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf3Ou8H4Z6
For a moment, silence hung over them.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaavmlGbhvP
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwFr3y2cgA
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd8u9LD5pY
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGJBRZbUNl
"I798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfLOl50kYP
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb0Au8uaGH
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT4fsEMLD2
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypD8VbwKPh
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWLaNkYO1l
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdqTt11zxR
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLxnplc9v7
***798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqcCDJdCq2
The798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64R4dBFc4y
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHGVSWwOGE
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6Ds1baPk5
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8eHnwvk0e
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNoE0uJkZr
they met, they seemed sky blue.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvz9JyJGfR
And798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZJ28e1uvD
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6XjheWMgq
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqwKosPlx2
Rhénee798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4LXsWJVX3
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk0mMCbin6
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdErarb6fT4
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFfhzllMKc
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9rF4tjK9C
coffee table in the middle.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LqQYv10wL
When798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwwKgQT3bU
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9argAZ9x5k
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm3fSrbbfM
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5DBqmeTTy
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVXbvR6zrg
"Are you sure?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzdnkQm3NL
"Yes, I'm positive."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBkmhDgo3X
Miss798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxRfrFptT5
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhJW5bsARQ
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSuFqrsKUC
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn9jDcwdM7
from their cups.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOFgnRbiCZ
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7lML5WGwt
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTgB1fOrnz
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5NKKIgvQv
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wPivtxe5i
"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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOhioBsnvj
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFf920CjCp
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GEBKsmZxD
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFl6T2oDE2
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvO5ogZWUb
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vm07VoUrc
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUDo5K8LLy
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63VvRkRpGz
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngIK8dgibC
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3u6LQdDQ3
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYik0KlTQSI
"Oh,798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiOHdyD2WT
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz66NISTGn
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRZj9EdOB7
who he is."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LPuNpHyoz
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvJ6M2naqk
Rhénee798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YRIqVn1D4
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yWAhTMiy7
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QQRm6HGTA
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEfu7SqvSD
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49d0eO7htW
Rhénee798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ghCOPRnOK
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRti56PNL8l
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgheCiIl8D
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7NrOiNYaH
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xBwFgvPGo
"Fine,798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQRDyyffWv
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHf0xSrQhb
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy83aHRyHmb
or die if you stay by me."798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sl0IFt2OJ
