Frozen Grave by Lee Weeks

articulate. He’s definitely well-spoken. He might have been able to fool her,’ Carter answered. He looked at what
Hector was working on – Olivia’s bank statements.
    ‘Found anything interesting? asked Carter.
    ‘Just looking into the sites she subscribed to.’
    ‘Sign yourself up to all of the ones she was on, Hector. Ask Intel for a cover.’ He turned to Robbo. ‘Could it have been some gang-rites thing? If so, the rough sleepers must
have been in on it. Toffee said it went wrong. What was the plan? To lure her in there, rape, kill. What did they steal from her? Toffee had her phone. I can’t imagine she took her bag in
there, but it’s gone – probably from the car. No money was withdrawn from her bank account. Did they get paid to do it? Did someone pay Toffee to organize it?’
    Carter nodded to Willis that he was ready if she was. She stood up and picked up her coat.
    ‘We’re going to take another look at Olivia Grantham’s body and talk to Harding, if she’s there.’
    ‘Pam, have you got any photos of the men Hector’s been phoning?’ Carter asked before leaving.
    ‘Yes . . . some.’ She pulled out a file from her desk and handed it to him.’
    When they got outside, Willis went towards where the BMW was parked.
    ‘Let’s walk.’ Carter started along the main road. She stayed where she was for a second. ‘Yeah – I know, but I want to talk things through with you,’ he
added, then waited for her to walk alongside him.
    ‘Any news about your mum? The lovely Bella Donna?’
    Willis shook her head and looked at her feet. The pavement was saturated, but her new Chelsea boots, which her housemate Tina had got her for Christmas, were keeping her feet dry. The socks
Carter gave her for her birthday were keeping them toasty warm. It was the kind of luxury that Willis could never have afforded herself. All her money went into savings accounts. She planned to buy
a flat next year.
    ‘I’ll go tomorrow.’
    ‘Is she still in bad shape?’
    ‘She’s still on a drip. Not sure what else. Have to see when I get there. They say she nearly bled to death.’
    ‘Nearly, huh? Bad luck.’
    ‘Yeah.’ She smiled at the same time as she sighed heavily.
    She carried on looking at the wet tarmac.
    ‘You take as long as you need tomorrow, Eb. Get it done and then get back to the job – focus.’ Willis looked across at him; she looked confused, hurt. ‘You’re just
quiet, that’s all. I need participation, verbal. I need you on the same planet as the rest of us.’
    ‘Yes, guv.’
    She looked away; he knew it was to hide her hurt. But a jolt back to the real world wouldn’t hurt. Carter also knew that Willis was used to tough love and she knew he cared.
    They reached the Whittington Hospital and rang the bell to let them into the mortuary. They were answered by Mark.
    ‘The doctor’s not here, I’m afraid.’
    They stepped under the fluorescent striplights of the corridor.
    ‘No problem. Can we take another look at Olivia Grantham?’
    ‘Sure.’ Mark led them through to the storage area and opened up the fridge. He wheeled out the body.
    Carter stood back to observe as Willis walked around the body.
    ‘Good job in making her look good for her family,’ Carter said.
    Mark nodded, pleased. ‘Thanks. It took me ages to cover the bruises.’
    ‘What was he like, the dad?’
    ‘He didn’t really speak much. He looked numb.’
    ‘Did you take casts from these bites yet?’ asked Willis.
    ‘Not yet. We’re waiting for the specialist to come over tomorrow and do it.’
    Willis took the latex gloves now being offered to her by Mark as she examined the bite wounds on Olivia’s breast.
    She pressed the wounds with her hand, to see the depth of bite. ‘These are from a dog. A dog first bites then tears.’
    ‘Can you take a cast from a dog?’ Carter looked at Mark for a reply.
    ‘Yes, I don’t see why not.’
    ‘Balik’s dog, maybe?’ Carter said to Willis’s back as she