Dead of Winter

Chapter 80

‘Hold on, Jeanie.’

Jeanie let go of Ebony’s hand as the trolley pushed through the operating theatre doors and Ebony stood and watched them swing. Noel came running in, recognized Ebony and handed her Christa, who was making her mind up whether to cry as she stared at Ebony in confusion. . Ebony smiled nervously at Christa and took out her phone to call Carter.

‘How’s Jeanie?’

‘She’s gone in to be operated on now. Nicola got away from here. I don’t know whether she made it.’

‘She got away. Carmichael could have shot her, apparently, but he didn’t. He chose to let her go. I don’t know why. She’s unlikely to get far. They’ll arrest her when the plane touches down in Berlin, hopefully.’

‘Is Martingale in custody?’

‘Killed himself. . couldn’t face it. He set fire to himself.’

‘Jesus.’

‘Why do you sound like you’re running?’

‘I’m bouncing a baby and trying to keep Christa from realizing she doesn’t know me and bursting into tears. Noel’s just run in to be with Jeanie.’

‘Ebb. . left holding the baby.’

‘Don’t think it suits me, Sarge.’

‘Yeah, can’t see me having a big family either. I’ll be a Saturday dad, I suppose. See you back here when you can.’

‘Noel shouldn’t be long, Sarge.’

Christa started to wail.

‘What did you do?’

‘I made the mistake of looking at her.’

Carter laughed. He sat in the police car outside Martingale’s house, watching the fire crews finish damping it down. He switched on the engine and drove to a home improvement store on the way back from Hampstead.

He rang the doorbell and waited for Cabrina’s father to come to the door.

‘Hello, Theo. Okay?’

Theo nodded. He looked at Dan like he had come to ask his daughter out on a first date.

‘I want Cabrina to come home.’

Theo nodded. ‘And for Christ’s sake take that damn buggy blocking up my hallway.’

‘Will she come. . do you think?’

‘Maybe. . Cabrina?’ He turned and called down the hallway. ‘You have a visitor.’

She didn’t hurry towards him; she took her time; she wasn’t smiling. Oh God. . it had all been for nothing. He should feel a fool but he was beyond that now. In fact Carter felt like a teenager again when he saw her. He had a terrible urge to cry. When she reached him she put her hands either side of his face and looked really hard into his eyes: he’d forgotten how hers made him melt. Any minute she’s going to say it, ‘Just go. . Sorry,’ thought Carter.

‘What took you so long?’

‘Pink or blue?’ He held up the paint pots.

‘Purple.’