First Frost Read Online Free PDF

that.’
    ‘Yes, I bloody well can.’
    ‘All right, all right,’ she laughed. ‘It’s Louise. Louise Daley.’
    ‘Look, Miss Daley,’ said Frost, now pushing the door open a little further. ‘I’ve no time for prima donnas. A woman’s been subjected to a very violent attack – in that house just over there, the Hudsons’. She was damn nearly killed. Sometime last night or early this morning. Did you happen to see or hear anything at all? This is no laughing matter.’
    ‘No,’ she said immediately. ‘Was out last night – got back late. I sleep like a log.’ She paused, looked down at bare feet. ‘Now can I get back to bed?’
    ‘Anyone else at home?’ said Frost.
    ‘No mate,’ she said, smiling slyly. ‘It’s just me.’
    ‘Your car, is it?’ Frost glanced back at the Jag in the drive.
    ‘Yeah, what of it?’
    ‘Bit flash for a young thing like you?’
    ‘I got expensive taste,’ she said, smiling again.
    ‘I bet,’ Frost said, removing his foot and letting Louise Daley shut the door. ‘Keep your nose clean.’ He heard her reattach the intruder chain. Turning, he saw Hanlon crossing the road towards him.
    ‘Nothing of interest yet,’ shouted Hanlon. ‘Bloody amazing, isn’t it – these people spend all day and night peering out between their curtains, but when it comes to something important they see bugger all.’
    ‘Always the way,’ said Frost.
    ‘And looks like the neighbours immediately next door to the Hudsons’, number forty, are away,’ continued Hanlon, now standing next to Frost. ‘There’s a pile of post in the hall.’
    Frost fumbled for his cigarettes and said, ‘A couple more houses each, then, and let’s get back to the station.’
    ‘OK with me,’ agreed Hanlon.
    ‘Flighty mare, that one.’ Frost nodded in the direction of Louise Daley’s home just behind him. ‘She’s got a few issues.’
    ‘She not see anything?’ said Hanlon, surprise in his voice.
    ‘So she says,’ said Frost, lighting his cigarette.
    ‘She was gawping out of the window when we first got here,’ said Hanlon.
    ‘Was she now?’
    They watched silently as Wendy Hudson was loaded gently into the ambulance and the vehicle took off at speed.

Sunday (4)
    Behind his counter, Station Sergeant Bill Wells jumped as Frost barged through the doors, allowing them to swing back into DC Arthur Hanlon. That man is never going to keep up with Frost, thought Wells.
    ‘Right, Arthur,’ Frost shouted over his shoulder, ‘run along and fetch us a tea, will you, while that canteen’s still open for business – two sugars – and I’ll see who I can reach at Aster’s. We need to check out their security arrangements.’
    ‘But Jack,’ Hanlon protested, ‘it’s Sunday.’
    ‘What of it?’ said Frost, making for the corridor. ‘I’m not suggesting we go to the store.’ He paused, stared back into the lobby at a new poster alongside the fading Colorado Beetle warning. ‘What the hell’s that, Bill? An advertisement for the annual Denton Halloween Ball?’
    ‘No,’ said Wells, looking behind him at an angry Alsatian, foaming at the mouth, ‘Crufts are putting on a Christmas special in Denton.’ He laughed at his own joke.
    Hanlon shuffled dejectedly across the lobby, giving Frost a wide berth, disappearing into the safety of the dilapidated building.
    ‘What’s up with him?’ said Wells.
    ‘He’s hungry,’ said Frost. ‘Missing his elevenses.’
    ‘Actually, Jack, glad I’ve caught you. There is something I wanted to—’
    ‘Not now, Bill. Could you get me the name and home address of the Aster’s manager?’
    ‘Easy,’ Wells said proudly. ‘That’ll be Ken Butcher. My missus plays darts with his wife, for the ladies’ team at the Bricklayers Arms.’
    ‘Debbie chucks arrows? Whatever next.’ Frost sounded genuinely surprised.
    ‘Ladies’ regional final tomorrow night. They’re playing a team from Rimmington, which was runner-up in the nationals last year,’