His Precious Love

However, the email was too large to be previewed online.

It took Rayna several minutes to download the audio clip. After reducing the volume, she held the device beside her ear.

The audio clip began with only the sound of footsteps before various other noises joined the cacophony as if somebody was watching television.

Rayna sped the clip up.

After listening for a while, she put the playback speed back to normal when she detected the sound of somebody opening the door to enter the room.

“I bought you some strawberries and cherries, Kristie.” A low male voice sounded from the audio clip, followed by the sound of footsteps. “I’ll rinse them in the kitchen, then watch television with you. How does that sound?”

Kristie hummed her assent.

Having listened to the dialogue, Rayna assumed from Kristie’s state that it was during the interval when Curtis brought her back from Yartran.

Why did Ringo’s people plant a bug in Kristie’s place at that time?

She did not delve into it but instead pressed the phone against her ear and listened intently.

Curtis’ tone was gentle when he spoke to Kristie, but she merely responded with noncommittal grunts no matter what he said.

Rayna could sense how awful Curtis must have felt.

Feeling awful herself, she once again sped up the clip.

After a while, Rayna heard the sound of the doorbell, followed by Jeremy’s and Wyatt’s voices.

The group chatted a little while until Jeremy suddenly said, “Have James come over, Curtis. You saw how much Kristie wanted to see him when I showed her his photograph.”

“That’s unnecessary. I don’t need outsiders to be concerned about my sister.”

Silence befell the group.

“Ms. Garland called me, Curtis. She wants to help Jefferson, but she requires the signatures of the politicians who attended the party. It just so happens I’m on that list too.”

“We have long since severed ties,” Curtis said blandly. “There’s no need to consider my feelings.” A while later, Curtis asked Jeremy, “When is the party?”

“Two months from now.”

the time and place,” the

turf, Curtis. If you send James, we may not be able

Leave if there’s nothing else

point. Rayna’s eyes were wide

such an accurate inkling of Arnaud’s movements and how he had managed to

out it was Curtis who told him

phone vibrated at

her new WhatsApp message and felt her head splitting open when she saw

of an emerald pendant

the temple for James. She would

believe he

photograph of the emerald pendant, Rayna almost collapsed when her limbs

into this and send

he thought of the man’s

go of her hand supporting herself against the wall and fell limply

he saw Rayna on the floor, he leaped off his chair and ran

who was passing by, “Aunt Kristie,

shining outside the window. It looked as if

fainting

her phone but could not find it despite her prolonged search. When she pulled open

with a look of panic. “Where’s my

it for repairs.” Jessica helped her back to the bedroom. “The doctor says you’ve

“I have many things to do, and I’m going over for a look. Ringo must

James can’t be dead!

dashed forward to grab her. “Calm down, Nana. This isn’t

Baby?

belly, and a horrible feeling

wrong, Nana?” Jessica scrambled to wipe her

hugged her and cried

She

had cried enough, Jessica pulled her to sit by the bed and poured her a glass of warm water.

feel horrible at the thought of what

to help.” Jessica sighed. “Mr. York is there for them, so don’t worry. Take good care of