Dead Of Winter (Willis/Carter #1)(50)

He shrugged. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘Inside the house, where Louise and Chrissie were, was there a lot of blood?’

The pain on his face made him turn away, watch the street outside, see people shopping. The Christmas lights swung in the wind. Christmas music played in the café; a waft of cinnamon, clove and orange circulated. He turned back.

‘Mainly smears around the walls, drips on the floor; not arterial spurts, except for Sophie. What do you think happened?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m not sure. The forensics team are going back there to see if we can find out more. All I know is they might have died where you found them but I think their injuries were caused somewhere else. There’s just not enough blood in the house. Whoever did it, whatever it is they wanted, they are still looking for it.’

For a few minutes they sat in silence as a waitress came up to clean the tables around them. When she’d gone back downstairs Carmichael continued: ‘I know you don’t have an undercover officer who can do what I can. You don’t have one ready. I can be that for you.’

‘It’s too risky. If you need help you won’t get it. No back-up.’

‘I’m not prepared to wait while Davidson gets his head out of his arse. I’m not asking for help. I have nothing to lose here. I wouldn’t want Davidson ballsing it up again. I am telling you, Ebony, because I trust you and because we might need one another before this is over. Look . . . I respect you . . . You’re a good cop. You do what’s right for you. I’ll do what’s right for me and get inside Sonny’s organization.’

‘Davidson will have you arrested if he knows what you’re doing.’

Carmichael smiled. ‘Here’s my number. Keep in touch. And don’t worry. Davidson couldn’t find me if I was sat metres from his office having coffee with you.’





Chapter 31


After the big freeze had come the big dirty melt. The Thames ran high and icy cold.

Digger kept his eyes on the pavement now turned to slush as he walked towards the escalator and the new shopping precinct. An Italian café had somehow managed to survive amongst the concessions of fast food. He liked to sit and watch the children play. He bought a cappuccino with a dusting of chocolate and sat at one of the tables on the edge of the play area. The place was busy today.

He didn’t need to look to know that she had sat beside him. He felt a small flutter in his heart, the way he always did. His eyes stayed on the TV screen in the centre of the mall.

Totteridge Village bodies found.

‘Morning, my dear . . .’

Nikki de Lange followed his eyes to the TV screen. ‘I see you have heard the news?’

Digger nodded. His eyes were dark but a smile remained.

She looked at him anxiously, her eyes flashing towards the TV screen. She was chewing the inside of her lip like a child.

‘Now, now . . .’ He patted her hand. He looked at the aerial shot of the back garden, the patio and the white crime scene tent. ‘Don’t worry, my dear. Things will be alright. Are you feeling okay? You look pale.’

He was right. She felt nauseous; she had pains in her lower back. She followed Digger’s eyes as they moved from the TV screen to watching the children playing nearby.

‘I’ll be better soon, as soon as it’s over. I was in Sonny’s apartment when a man named Hart let himself in with Sonny’s keys.’

‘I’ve met Hart.’ Digger looked away from her back to the news on the screen. He pretended to watch it but she could see he was giving himself time to think. ‘We need to keep a close eye on Hart.’ He turned back to her. ‘I think he isn’t who he says he is. He walks like a Para. He smells like an ex-policeman. Oh, he covers it well enough with a backstory that reads like a Bond film but it’s not sitting right. I think we should err on the side of caution and kill him. What were your impressions?’

‘A man with ambition.’ She couldn’t hold Digger’s eye contact.

Digger smirked. ‘Do I detect a soft spot for the new man?’

‘I just don’t think we should kill him, yet. We could do with a shake-up. I’m thinking this is my time to break free with your help.’

Her hands were shaking as she lifted her cup to drink. Digger’s hands were rock steady as he sipped his coffee.

‘Yes, you are right, my dear.’ The sound of the children laughing in the play area filled the space between them. Digger’s eyes searched hers. ‘What do you want from me?’

She stared at him, unsure of his meaning and then she shook her head. ‘It’s all business, Digger. It has to be.’

‘You want me to keep an eye on him?’

‘I want you to give him what he needs to do the job we have to do and then I want out of it. I’m not going to stay with him after this trip. This trip will change everything for me.’

‘Of course. I will do anything you ask me to. You know that. You are my god-daughter and I am very fond of you. Back in the days when your father and I were friends we had such marvellous times.’ He looked across at her impassive face and sighed. ‘I remember—’ he began, but she cut him short.

‘No more memories, Digger.’ She smiled. She looked at her watch. ‘I have to go.’