The Girl in the Ice

He wondered if she’d watched Pretty Woman too many times. He’d laughed when he thought this, and she’d joined in.
Stupid bitch.

There was a satisfying crack as the cartilage snapped, and his grip loosened.

‘You wouldn’t know what it’s like to grow up privileged and powerful. It’s intoxicating.

You arrest one bad guy, and ten more fill the void.

‘You know, two intelligent women can pass an evening without having to talk about men, surely?’

‘Behind every powerful man is a woman who knows how to push his buttons.

She had cried enough tears to last a lifetime. Now it was time for action.

‘I thought about telling you. And I wasn’t going to. And then you show up, and, well I have a good instinct for people . . .’ His eyes travelled up to the shelf of crime thrillers. ‘Well, a good instinct for everyone except lovers.’

‘Sadly the pen is mightier than the sword,’ said Erika, taking the steaming cup.

Hold that skinny throat where the tendons bulge out and watch her eyes go dark.