In the Mists of Time by Marie Treanor Read Free Book Online Page B

said in vague surprise.
    Aidan lifted his gaze from the bruise back to Nicole’s face. “Did he chase you after you kicked him?”
    â€œI don’t know. I heard someone. I thought it was him, but it turned out just to be Louise and that other man.”
    Aidan blinked from Nicole to Louise. “What other man?”
    Shit and shit and shit. “Just one of the Ardknocken House men,” Louise said casually. Just, dear God…
    â€œBut he wasn’t the man who attacked you, Nicole?” Aidan asked.
    Nicole shook her head. “No. I’m sure I’d never seen this man before. I’m sure he doesn’t live here.”
    â€œOkay. Can you describe him? What did he look like?”
    Nicole frowned, gave a helpless little shrug. “Sort of…ordinary. Maybe forty or fifty, slightly balding, darkish hair…”
    â€œWas he clean-shaven? Bearded?”
    â€œClean-shaven.” She turned her head to one side, gazing out the window as if an effort of remembrance, but said no more.
    â€œWhat about his voice? What sort of accent did he have? Local?”
    â€œNo, it was English.”
    â€œOkay, good. Anything else about his voice? Deep or high or—”
    â€œOrdinary,” Nicole said ruefully.
    â€œWas there anything out of the ordinary about him? The way he walked? Any tattoos? Moles? Birthmarks?”
    After a few moments, Nicole shook her head again.
    â€œWhat was he wearing?” Aidan asked.
    â€œWalking boots, and one of those wax jackets with a hood. Khaki coloured. Sorry, I’m not being very helpful, am I?”
    Aidan smiled at her, though since she didn’t turn to look at him, it was probably a wasted effort. Most women seemed to melt at his smile. “Actually, you’re doing very well,” he said. “Do you have any idea why he might have attacked you?”
    â€œI thought at the time it was rape.” Her face had flushed, and she still didn’t look at either Aidan or Louise.
    â€œAnd now?” Aidan asked gently.
    She shrugged. “I don’t know. It was very sudden. Like he was two different men. Maybe he was…disturbed. Schizophrenic or something.”
    â€œDid anything happen just before he attacked you?” Aidan asked. “What was the last thing you said to him?”
    â€œI don’t know. I can’t remember. I don’t think I was saying anything. He did most of the talking.”
    â€œDid you touch him at all?” Aidan asked.
    Nicole shook her head.
    â€œNot even to guide him? Or by accident?”
    â€œNo,” Nicole said definitely. A funny little smile flickered across her lips. “The police aren’t going to buy this from me, are they? Not without witnesses.”
    â€œNicole, you’re as entitled to protection as anyone else!” Louise exclaimed. “And someone caused those bruises on your arm.”
    Aidan nodded, opened his mouth to pronounce, when Nicole suddenly sprang up from the window seat, still staring out the window.
    â€œThat’s him!” she said. “That’s the man.”
    Louise and Aidan both jammed their faces against the window. Ron from the flat upstairs had just emerged from the front gate and was striding up the road, fishing rod in his hand.
    * * * * *
    â€œWell, at least he’s not staying in the house,” Aidan said a trifle grimly when Nicole had left. She’d said she would phone Aidan this afternoon about whether or not she was prepared to go to the police. “What do you know about this character?”
    Louise shrugged. “Nothing except his name and address. He lives in London and works for an insurance company. Or says he does.”
    â€œWell, it’s a start. I’ll see what I can find out.” He frowned as he reached for his jacket. “You know, it’s funny, I thought in the pub last night he was up to something. I never had him pegged as a rapist.”
    â€œThen you