第24部分(第2/9 頁)

　and　glowering　face。　What　she　saw　were　features

that　were　strong　but　kind；　skin　that　was　clear　and　only　faintly　tanned；

hair　that　was　thick　and　blond；　turning　silver；　in　damp　waves。

There　was　an　underlying　gentleness。　But　his　lips　were　stern；　his　cheeks

lean；　his　jaw　set。　And　eyes　that　were　silvery　hazel　stare　'　（I　at　her

without　a　blink。

〃If　you've　finished；〃　he　said　with　a　mocking　twitch　of　his　lips；　〃would

you　please　put　down　that　poker？　You　can　see　I'm　not　a　thug；〃　She　lifted

the　weapon　higher。　〃How　about　a　rapist？〃　She　wasn't　being　deceived　by　a

sweet…talking；　good…looking　man。

A　muscle　flexed　in　his　jaw。　〃I'm　no　rapist。　I　wouldn't　have　forced　you

into　anything。　Especially　once　I　saw　that　wedding　band。　I　don't　fool

around　with　married　women。〃

Tears　threatened　again。　How　bittersweet　that　the　symbol　of　a　marriage

that　had　ended　should　save　her　from　the　unspeakable。　So　she　had　Jeff　to

thank　still。

〃Who　are　you？〃　she　asked　in　a　quavering　voice。

〃You　really　don't　know？　e　on；　you're　holding　all　the　cards。　You　can

confess。〃

Her　voice　came　stronger。　〃Who　are　you？〃

Still　he　persisted。　〃It　was　Lennie；　wasn't　it？　He's　been　trying　to　set

me　up　with　a　woman　for　weeks　now！〃　His　frustration　sounded　sincere。

〃Who　are　you？〃

With　a　sigh　of　defeat；　he　thrust　a　hand　in　his　pocket。　〃Mitch。〃

But　she　knew　that　already。　〃Where　ar