Frozen Grave (Willis/Carter #3)(44)

Diane looked embarrassed.

‘Zoe told me that your husband passed away. I’m sorry to hear that.’

‘Yes. Thank you.’ Diane poured the tea and took a plate of brownies across to the kitchen table. ‘Please help yourself, Simon.’

‘Will you join me?’

Diane went back across to the sink. ‘Yes. Of course.’ She glanced at Zoe.

‘Mum – I’m going to check on the kids’ rooms while I’m here. Josh is missing some of his sports kit.’

‘Okay, love. As long as Simon doesn’t mind you deserting him.’

‘Not at all,’ he said. ‘I’m looking forward to chatting with you, Diane – can I call you Diane?’

‘Please do.’

Zoe took the piles of clothes and walked up the stairs with them.

‘Can I see a photo of your husband, Diane?’

‘Of course.’ She went into the front room and came back with a shot of them together.

‘This was before he got ill. On holiday in Palma. We used to go away often. Always tended to go back to the same places but you know what you’re getting then, don’t you?’

‘Absolutely.’ He held the photo in his hands. ‘You look a lovely couple. You obviously made one another very happy. That’s a precious thing in this world.’

‘Yes. It’s even more difficult then, isn’t it? To lose your soulmate?’

‘Not lost. Still with you in spirit.’

‘I feel he’s lost. I worry that I’ve been living a lie and that we will never be reunited in any form. I try not to think like that. I’ve tried very hard to keep believing but something’s missing in me now.’

‘Have you got new challenges in your life? We all need daily challenges.’

‘I think I have enough. I come here most days and help so that Zoe can pursue her career. I am always busy.’

‘Because if you felt you had any time, just whenever you could – we could always do with a hand in the hostel.’

‘I don’t know what use I’d be . . .’

‘You’re kidding! You’d be a godsend. You could teach the clients to cook basic food for themselves. You could listen to their troubles, sit and talk to them. It’s that I wish I had more time to do things . . . and you could make us brownies as good as these.’

‘Okay.’ She brightened up. ‘I will certainly think about it.’

‘And Diane – I understand how you must be angry. It never seems fair. I can promise you, you will find your faith again. Don’t punish yourself, don’t go to church if you don’t want to, but don’t block your faith out. It’s okay to question. We all have our faith tested now and again.’





Chapter 24


‘Mr Ellerman?’ Willis walked in first, followed by Carter. ‘I am Detective Constable Willis and this is Detective Inspector Carter.’

‘I’ve been sitting here for half an hour. I understood this was just an informal interview?’ He was irritated.

‘It is, Mr Ellerman,’ answered Willis. ‘We thought you’d want to keep this as discreet and private as possible. So, in here is the best place to take a statement from you. We won’t keep you longer than necessary.’

Ellerman shifted in his seat, impatient. Carter stayed quiet.

‘Okay, well let’s get on with it. What do you want to ask me? The officer who asked me to come in said it concerned Olivia Grantham.’

‘Yes – I’m sorry to inform you that Olivia Grantham was killed – we think she was murdered.’

‘No . . . how terrible . . . How did it happen?’

‘We don’t know why but she walked into a derelict building in Shadwell, where she was attacked. Where were you last Sunday evening?’

‘Sunday? I already told the officer on the phone; I was at home in Richmond. Poor Olivia.’ He rubbed his forehead with his fingertips.

‘Have you got someone who can verify your whereabouts?’

‘Yes. My wife; but I’d rather not involve her.’

‘Were you close to Olivia?’ asked Willis.

‘I wouldn’t say we were close.’

‘How long had you known her?’

‘We met a few months ago, I think it was. Maybe even as much as twelve months. We didn’t see one another often.’

‘When was the last time?’

‘Probably three weeks ago.’

‘And how was that?’

He shrugged. ‘Fine. She seemed okay – same as usual.’

‘Usual?’

‘Yes.’

‘What was usual for her?’

‘Well – you know . . . maybe a little obsessed with work, but not depressed or anything.’

‘Where did you meet that last time?’

‘I think it was at her flat.’

‘Which is where?’

‘Brockley. I think.’

‘What was your relationship with Olivia, Mr Ellerman?’

‘We were friends. I told you.’

‘Was it a platonic freindship?’

‘We had a physical friendship.’

‘You were lovers?’