Frozen Grave (Willis/Carter #3)(72)

Shit!

Now she had no choice but to get out of the car.

‘Mahmet Balik?’

He stood his ground as she walked towards him.

‘Correct.’

The dog growled at her.

‘You’re wanted for questioning at Archway Police Station about a death that happened on Parade Street.’

‘Yeah, sure.’ He started walking. Zoe shouted for him to stop. He stopped with his back to her. She stood a few feet from him and the dog, which had resumed its snarling. Balik slowly turned to face her.

‘What’s the problem, Officer?’

‘I already told you. You need to present yourself at Archway Police Station for questioning. What is your current address?’

She got out her notebook.

‘My current address is no-man’s land. I’m everywhere you won’t find me.’

‘Mahmet Balik, I am placing you under arrest.’ Zoe took out her handcuffs and took a step towards him but stopped immediately as five other youths appeared in the car park and one of them stepped up and blocked her way. She pushed him hard.

‘Get out of my face. Stand back.’ She held a pepper spray where he could see it.

One of the lads opened his jacket, to show her he was carrying a knife.

‘You spray that – you will take one of us out but then you’ll be dead,’ said Mahmet. ‘After you, then I’m going to cut these people. No one’s going to leave here unless you back off.’ Zoe held up her hands. ‘And tell Toffee and his mates we will find them.’

They turned and walked out of the car park. Zoe called on her phone for back-up.

‘They’ve got to be stopped,’ said Lyndsey. ‘Can anyone stop them?’ The three women were visibly shocked by the confrontation.

‘We will.’ Blackman was just very angry. She didn’t like having to back down. ‘I’ll make sure that something’s done about it.’

‘They’ve been coming around here, intimidating people, for long enough,’ said Sheila. ‘That dog will kill, sooner or later: he can’t control it—’

Simon interrupted: ‘We’re bound to get it, living this close to an estate like the Hannover.’

‘So this isn’t the first time he’s been round here?’ Blackman turned to Sheila and Lyndsey.

Simon turned to go past the women and walk inside.

‘It’s since the murder – it’s got worse,’ Sheila said.

Simon held up his hand to silence Sheila.

‘Let’s not get carried away with this. He’s a mindless thug, that’s all.’

‘Sheila – what have the clients said to you?’

‘Martine, Mason, Spike, they’re all too scared to come here. They saw something that night. People are staying away – too scared to come here for food. Shameful the way they behave, these gangs. It’s a disgrace.’

‘Sheila – it’s okay,’ said Simon.’ I’m going to be keeping an eye on things tonight. Any trouble and I won’t hesitate to call the police.’

‘Has anyone seen Toffee’s friends?’ asked Zoe. They shook their heads.

‘But Lolly’s been killed and they definitely did it,’ said Sheila.

‘We don’t know that, Sheila,’ said Simon.

‘Yes, we do. They were bragging about it to Lyndsey when they stopped her the other day; weren’t they?’

Lyndsey nodded. ‘They said they raped her and then injected her with corrupted heroin just for a laugh. She died in agony.’

Zoe was keeping one eye on Simon as Sheila talked. She wanted to ask him what he gave to Balik but decided she’d bide her time and talk to Carter first.

‘I can get extra protection here. I will make sure the search for Balik is stepped up,’ she said. ‘Okay, Mum, you ready?’

‘Thank you, Diane. You’re a great help,’ Simon said as they walked towards Zoe’s car.

‘I’ll be back tomorrow,’ Diane said. Simon looked surprised. ‘Well, you’ll need me, I’m sure.’

‘We certainly do,’ Sheila called out. ‘We need all the good help we can get. Thank you, Diane.’

Zoe waited until the patrol car had come and then dropped her mother home – she was too adrenalin-fuelled to go home herself and sleep.

Martine was waiting at the station ticket office, to see if her friend would be working there tonight. She pulled her shawl up over her head, against the bitter wind.

‘Spare some change,’ she asked a man walking through the station.

‘No, sorry.’

She was waiting for Larry to appear on the other side of the ticket barrier and let her in, but there was a new face.

‘Where’s Larry?’

‘Not working here this week. You got me instead. What do you want?’

‘Larry lets me sleep in here, in the toilets. Please can you let me in?’

‘Wish I could, love; but it’s more than my job’s worth.’

‘Please. Larry does. I need somewhere safe tonight.’

‘I understand you got troubles but I can’t help. You need to be on your way now. Larry will be back next week.’

‘Please.’

‘There’s no one can help you here. Go on now.’