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.”

of the time and place,” the man

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

Leave if there’s nothing else to

at that point. Rayna’s eyes were wide with

then did she understand how James could have gotten such an accurate inkling of Arnaud’s movements and how he had managed to ambush the

who told him all

phone vibrated at

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

of an

temple for

believe he

of the emerald pendant, Rayna almost collapsed

could Curtis drag my brother into this and send him to exact vengeance on Arnaud by himself? How could he

broke when he thought of the man’s

go of her hand supporting herself against the wall and fell limply onto the floor, startling the others who

saw Rayna on the floor, he leaped

ordered Kristie, who was passing by, “Aunt Kristie,

outside the window.

fainting

could not find it despite her prolonged search. When she pulled open the door to exit

arm with a look of

to the bedroom.

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

James can’t be dead!

forward to grab her. “Calm down, Nana. This

Baby?

her belly, and a horrible feeling rose from her

Nana?” Jessica scrambled to wipe her tears.

her and cried even

She only patted

her to sit by the bed

her head, Rayna forced a smile. “I just feel horrible

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