In the Mists of Time by Marie Treanor Page B

genuinely startled him, and a smile immediately lit his eyes. Her stomach began to hurt.
    â€œAlmost finished,” he said. “We’ve just to transfer the stuff from your old computer. It’s on this disk for now—you can keep it as a backup.” He tossed down his screwdriver and bent to plug in the new computer. It started up immediately.
    â€œThat was quick!” She felt almost panicked that he was almost done, with no further reason to stay.
    He sat, connecting her old mouse and keyboard to the new computer. “I’ll get the operating system up and running, sort you out with antivirus software and so on.”
    â€œThanks,” she said in relief.
    His mouse hand moved, clicking. Then both hands flew across the keyboard. He didn’t look at them, but at the screen. “Met Aidan on the way in. I was surprised he didn’t evict your guest in the top flat.” Briefly, his gaze lifted to hers, then returned to the screen. “I can’t imagine he’s comfortable with such a character so close to you and your parents.”
    â€œI imagine Ron’s card is marked,” Louise said defensively.
    Thierry clicked on something and pushed the mouse away before sitting back and regarding her. Louise’s stomach twisted. She couldn’t play this bloody game of Aidan’s.
    â€œAidan discovered who he was,” she blurted. “He’s giving him a chance to do his job.”
    Thierry’s eyes didn’t blink. “Which is?”
    â€œHe does work for an insurance company.” Louise came farther into the room, leaned her hips against the edge of the desk. Just looking at him made her heart race; getting this close to him probably wasn’t smart, but she needed to see his reactions.
    â€œWhich one?” Thierry asked evenly.
    â€œLondon and Scottish Life. They employ him as a private investigator.”
    Thierry nodded. “I wondered if that was it.”
    â€œWhy would he be investigating you? Searching your caravan?”
    Thierry shrugged and glanced at the screen. Casually, he clicked a couple of things. “I imagine he believes I still have his employer’s money.”
    â€œDo you?” she asked steadily.
    A smile flickered across his lips and vanished. “God, no.”
    It seemed so natural that her heart rejoiced. Her head, however, remained unconvinced. “Then why would he waste his time up here investigating you?” she demanded.
    Thierry shrugged. “Maybe it’s easier to blame new frauds on me. Maybe he just likes fishing and I’m an excuse. He’ll be paid by the hour, not by results.”
    â€œNew frauds?” she pounced. “Then he’s not looking for the money you went to prison for?”
    â€œI gave that back,” Thierry said, and returned to the computer screen.
    â€œYou told me you only gave most of it back.”
    â€œThe rest is accounted for.” He concentrated on the screen, although there didn’t seem to be anything to see apart from a bar proclaiming the percentage of download completed.
    Louise threw what was left of her caution out the window. “Thierry,” she pleaded. “Please tell me you haven’t done anything that could endanger you or Ardknocken House.”
    â€œOf course I haven’t. Glenn is my friend.” There was an edge to his voice at last, but it didn’t please her. “And I like it here. Is Friday off now?”
    Unexpectedly, his eyes pinned her, almost like Aidan’s did when he was determined to get an answer.
    â€œNot unless you’re crapping out,” she said steadily. She thought she read something like relief before his eyelids lowered and his attention reverted to the screen. “But I want to know why Ron suspects you. And I think you know.”
    His lips quirked slightly, but it was several moments before he turned his head and met her gaze. “Maybe. I might tell you on