Tuesday's Child by Clare Revell Read Free Book Online Page A

that we never released to the press. Any little detail you can give us could be important.”
    “Don’t you guys need physical evidence?”
    “Yes, we do. But you volunteered this information, you came to us. Now, however silly your story sounds and however much the Guv laughs at us for taking your statement, that’s what we’re going to do. Because right now, we need all the help we can get.”
    “And if it’s nothing?”
    Nate winked at her. “We arrest you for wasting police time.”
    Adeline hesitated.
    “He’s kidding,” Dane said quickly. “He’s got an appalling sense of humor. Please, tell us what you know.”
    “All right.” As she spoke, she watched the men’s hands fly over the paper. Dane’s handwriting was large and flowing, whereas Nate’s was neat and precise. Both seemed to fit their personalities.
    Dane removed his glasses and chewed the arm thoughtfully, before waving them at her. “Did you ever see him?”
    “Him? Oh you mean the attacker? It’s more of a presence than anything else. Like a shadow. He’s there, watching them. It’s hard to put into—” Adeline broke off.
    She shivered as a sudden chill permeated her whole being from her soul outwards. She closed her eyes, fighting the urge to throw up, as the hauntingly familiar red sheen enveloped her.
    “No…” she managed, pushing to her feet. Maybe if she moved, she could outrun the vision this time. Everything faded around her until she was no longer aware of the desk beneath her fingertips.
    Long black hair swung in front of her face as she ran, her breath coming in gasps. She tripped and fell. Landing on her hands and knees by the river, blood oozing from the grazes, strong hands turned her over before grasping her neck, squeezing the life from her, his face hidden, as a long, greasy ponytail brushed against her face…
    Adeline’s hands rose to her throat, trying to pull him away from her. She struggled to breathe, to cry out, to do something, anything. A hand touched her face and her eyelids sprang open. She was lying face up on the floor, her hands outstretched in front of her.
    Nate knelt beside her, concern written over his face, his lips moving.
    She strained to focus on him, still feeling too choked to speak.
    “You’re all right. Adeline…”
    Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Please, God, help her. Don’t let her suffer. She signed frantically telling them to go and help the girl before she died, too.
    She watched the two men exchange a few words she couldn’t catch before Dane left the room rapidly. Too late she remembered neither of them spoke sign language and speech was still beyond her. Perhaps Dane had gone for Jasmine.
    Nate’s gentle hand turned her face back. “Calm down. It’s all right. You’re safe.”
    She tried to focus on him, but all she could see was the figure on the ground and dark eyes. Black, hollow eyes filled with evil boring into her.
    Nate’s lips moved, but she couldn’t understand what he said. She pulled away from him, signing rapidly. “I don’t understand. You have to go and help her, please. He’s hurting her.”
    Dane ran back in with Jasmine, who pulled Adeline into a hug.
    Adeline clung to her, huge sobs welling up.
    Jasmine’s hands moved over her back for a moment, then she pulled away so she could see Adeline’s face. “What happened?”
    “I don’t know.” Adeline signed rapidly. The words tumbled from her hands, tears burning her eyes as she relived it. “I saw a girl and a man and he was hurting her. Tell them to stop him before he kills her. Don’t let another woman die.”
    Jasmine’s hand covered her mouth and she must have said something because shock and grief covered the two men’s faces.
    Nate touched her arm and Adeline twisted towards him. He sat on the corner of her desk. He spoke slowly and for once clearly. “I don’t understand your signs, Adeline. I need you to speak as well. Did you see something? Another murder?