The Girl in the Ice (Detective Erika Foster 1)

‘No, well, I’m . . . I’m just at Mark’s grave.’

‘Oh, bugger, I’ll call back.’

‘No. I’ve been trying to talk to him. My father-in-law says I should talk to him. He says it helps. I just don’t know what to say . . .’

‘You could tell him that your murderer is going to trial in May. Did you see today’s news? David Douglas-Brown was declared fit to stand trial. They’ve also expelled Sir Simon from the Lords . . . And it looks like Igor Kucerov will be retried for the murder of Nadia Greco. We’re just waiting on the CPS about Giles Osborne. I’m confident he’ll be done for perverting the course of justice . . . You there, boss?’

‘Yes. And I did see. And Mark doesn’t want to hear all that.’

‘If I were stuck laying six feet under, I’d want my loved ones to keep me up-to-date on current events . . .’

There was a silence. The wind rippled across the grass. The knot of black cloud was almost above her now.

‘Sorry, I’m being crass,’ said Moss.

‘No, you’re being honest, which is far better. Did Peterson get my card?’

‘Yes. But you know him. The strong, silent type. He came to see you after, in the hospital, but you were out of it.’

‘I know he did.’

There was another silence.

‘So. When you back, boss?’

‘I don’t know. Soon. Marsh has told me to take as long as I need. I’m going to stay up here with Edward for a bit.’

‘Well, we’re looking forward to you coming back, boss. You are coming back, aren’t you?’

‘Yeah, I’m coming back,’ said Erika. ‘I’ll call you.’

‘Good. Well enjoy yourself up there, and when you . . . you know . . . talk, to Mark, say hi from me.’

‘That’s the weirdest request for passing on a hello,’ said Erika, wryly.

‘I just wish I could have met him,’ said Moss.

Erika came off the phone as thunder began to rumble overhead. She turned back to the grave and stared at the gold letters on the black granite.