Frozen Grave (Willis/Carter #3)(66)

‘I used to work in the Met.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes. We worked together. I went undercover on a job, a paedophile operation. It was messy. Kids traded for favours in the drug world. Kids taken out of children’s homes just to entertain dignitaries. We uncovered someone really high up. I was told to lose files, to shut up. I was told I didn’t see what I know I did. I was told to make a false statement. Ultimately, I was told to resign or face dismissal. I went to Dan. He was my superior. He was my sergeant. Dan took it as far as it could go and he took me off undercover. I decided to resign but Dan said we should fight it. We did and it was a five-year battle; in the end, I took what was offered to me – a job with no hope of promotion. I came back here to my roots and have worked here ever since.’

‘Any regrets?’ Willis asked as she looked at his face. He had the look of an angry man, disappointed in himself.

‘Yes.’ He gave a half-smile. ‘A few. I wish I’d taken it further – it never felt like justice. I never cleared my name.’

‘But if you’d been dismissed you would have messed up any career you tried to have after the force.’

‘Yes, and I love my job. I just wish I’d played ball.’

‘You’re not serious? You wish you’d falsified information? You acted really honourably.’

‘Yeah – and where did it get me? Perhaps I could have done so much more if I’d stayed in.’

‘Are the men still serving who you were on the team with?’

‘Oh, yes. Those are the fuckers I said were as guilty as shit . . . sorry . . .’

‘Don’t be.’

Carter returned. The food arrived at the same time.

‘Was thinking . . .’ said Carter. ‘Could Ellerman really be that clever?’





Chapter 37


Wednesday early evening, Ellerman arrived to find Lisa outside the front of her place, putting out the rubbish; she lived on one of the roads near the station in a tiny one-bedroom terraced house with a dark lounge and a minuscule kitchen.

She stopped and watched him park. She kept an eye on him as he opened his boot and took out his bag.

‘Trainers?’ she called out. ‘Hope you remembered them.’

Ellerman bent to look inside the boot. He moved his arms around and pretended to rummage. The cold air made him shiver. He longed to get in somewhere cosy and warm. For a few seconds he contemplated closing the boot and getting back in the car and cranking up his music and his heater and driving away, anywhere. Then he ran through the list of possibilities and decided this was probably the best option for now.

‘Damn and blast.’ He emerged from the boot and shook his head, disappointed. ‘I could have sworn I put them in there. Sorry, honey. I don’t mind waiting here while you go out for a run.’

‘No, it’s okay, the weather is closing in anyway. I’m not keen on getting soaking wet.’

‘Really?’ He slipped his hands around her waist from behind and pulled her hard to him. She laughed.

‘Yeah, you’re right – better than a gym workout. Come on then.’ She took him by the hand up her front steps.

‘Whoa . . .’ Ellerman pulled back and stayed on the first step.

‘What? You used to rip my clothes off in the hallway. What happened? Thought you’d be gagging for it, seeing as you haven’t had it for over a week.’

‘I am, of course, honey, it’s just I’m feeling a bit coldy.’ He sniffed.

‘Then why did you come?’

‘I thought you said you weren’t feeling all that well. I thought I’d come and we could have a duvet day and snuggle under it and watch films and drink bottles of wine.’

‘I don’t feel so bad now. I think it was inactivity.’ She screwed up her nose in disgust. ‘The last thing I need is to get drunk.’

‘Oh. Well, maybe I should go?’

‘It’s up to you. I know you explained about the letter but it doesn’t make me feel any better.’

‘Honey . . .’ Ellerman pulled her back down to him from the step above. ‘I’m sorry if someone’s upset you with that pack of lies. I don’t even know most of the women on that list, I’ve never even met them.’

‘Where were you all week? You didn’t answer your phone. It’s impossible to get hold of you in the evenings. Your phone goes straight to voicemail.’

‘I have to switch it off, honey, I’m with clients.’ She sighed. ‘If you want me to go, honey, I will,’ he said, looking pathetic.

‘No. You’re here now. Let’s walk down to the seafront and get some fresh air. We can grab a drink on the way back and buy something for dinner. Unless you want to eat out?’

‘Well . . . perhaps.’

‘I thought not.’

The Brighton seafront was bracing. As Ellerman walked along he turned his face from the bitter wind, and wondered if he really was getting a cold. He didn’t feel well. His stomach was churning, his head pounding. He felt shivery. He reached out for Lisa’s hand. She was striding along as usual. She had to win at everything. She had to be the best. She wanted a kiss. She stopped and held him back. She looked up at him and frowned.

‘Are you feeling okay? Your eyes are watery.’