His Precious Love

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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.”

of the time and place,”

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

there’s nothing else to

point. Rayna’s eyes were wide

how James could have gotten such an accurate inkling of Arnaud’s movements and how he had

it was Curtis who told him

vibrated at

and felt her head splitting

an emerald pendant

temple for James. She

believe

at the photograph of the emerald pendant, Rayna almost collapsed when

what happened to Kristie. How could Curtis drag my brother into this and send him to exact vengeance on Arnaud by himself? How could he be so

he thought

the wall and fell limply onto the floor, startling the others

saw Rayna on the floor, he leaped off his chair and ran over. “Ms.

Kristie, who was passing by, “Aunt Kristie,

shining outside the

fainting the night

it despite her prolonged search. When she pulled open the door to exit the room, she ran

a look of panic.

screen is smashed. Carl took it for repairs.” Jessica helped her back to the bedroom. “The doctor

head outside. “I have many things to do, and

James can’t be dead!

to grab her. “Calm down, Nana. This isn’t good for the

Baby?

down at her belly, and a horrible feeling rose

Jessica scrambled to wipe her tears.

and

She

sit by the

forced a smile. “I just feel horrible at the thought of what happened to

is there for them, so don’t worry. Take good care