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.”

James of the time and

turf, Curtis. If you send James, we may

there’s nothing

at that point.

then did she understand how James could have gotten such an accurate inkling of Arnaud’s movements

who

phone vibrated

felt her head splitting

a photograph of an emerald pendant smeared

temple for James.

believe he

at the photograph of the emerald pendant,

was my mistake for what happened to Kristie. How could Curtis drag my brother into this and send him to exact vengeance on Arnaud by himself?

broke when he thought of

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

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

she had fainted over, he calmly ordered Kristie, who was passing by, “Aunt Kristie, hurry up

the window. It looked

fainting

she pulled open the door to

her arm with a look of panic. “Where’s my

for repairs.” Jessica helped her back to the bedroom.

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

James can’t be dead!

“Calm down, Nana. This isn’t good for

Baby?

feeling rose from her chest. She blinked, and her

wrong, Nana?” Jessica scrambled to wipe her

her and

did not ask anymore. She only patted

sit by the bed and poured her a

just feel horrible at the thought of what happened to

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