A Frozen Grave

A FROZEN GRAVE DETECTIVE REBECCA ELLIS BOOK 2 ROBIN MAHLE Published by Inkubator Books www.inkubatorbooks.com Copyright © 2023 by Robin Mahle Robin Mahle has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work. ISBN (eBook): 978-1-83756-146-9 ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-83756-147-6 ISBN (Hardback): 978-1-83756-148-3 A FROZEN GRAVE is a work of fiction. People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher. CONTENTS Inkubator Books Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Inkubator Newsletter We hope you enjoyed this book About the Author Also by Robin Mahle JOIN THE INKUBATOR MAILING LIST You will be the first to learn about new releases plus the many FREE and discounted Kindle books we offer! bit.ly/3fPBwVA 1 A burst of wind gathered the falling snow, swirling it around the pick-up on the side of the road. A layer of white had formed on the truck’s hood and roof as it remained parked on the earthy shoulder. One front and one rear tire rutted the soft ground, while the others rested firmly on the pavement. A light dusting of snow had already layered the empty lane. Inside the truck, keys dangled from the ignition. The gale howled through the window, left cracked. Static from the radio cut into the emergency broadcast, breaking up the transmission as the truck’s battery drained. “Snowfall is expected to continue through the night in the first major storm of the season. Authorities are asking citizens to stay off the roads while crews prepare to clear the streets. Six feet of snow is projected to fall in the Bangor area.” A dense forest lay next to the road, where trees swayed and branches snapped under the growing weight of the flurry. A place where hikers explored and hunters hunted. Deep inside that forest, the turgid, hazy brown eyes of a dead man stared up at the night sky, white flakes descending like stars traveling at cosmic speeds. Hours passed and snow collected atop him until he coalesced with his surroundings. As light came again, the storm was over. The forest, quiet. All that remained were beautiful white mounds covering every surface—except one. A tiny scrap of an orange vest peeked out like a beacon calling for help. But out here, well beyond the trails, no one would see it. No one would know how a man had come to be here, and worst of all, no one would care. * * * Ericka Chisolm zipped her weatherproof jacket as the northern wind kicked up. Friend and hiking companion Gina Holder hadn’t been as prepared, donning only a thick fleece. With a judging eye, Ericka examined her. “Are you sure you aren’t cold? The deeper we get along the trail, the more shade we’ll have. We can go back to the car and grab my wool hat.” Gina, a young woman of barely twenty-three, brushed off the idea. “I’m fine. We’ll warm up when we start walking anyway.” “All right.” Ericka took a drink from her sports bottle and secured the lid. “First hike of the spring. Let’s do it.” They traversed over patches of melting snow that glistened on the forest floor. Tree branches sprouted new leaves that would soon form a thick canopy over the trail. And with a blue sky above, it was the perfect spring day in Bangor, Maine. The trails in City Forest, a 680-acre preserve that lay on the north-east edge of the city, were utilized year-round for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. “Thanks for coming with me today. I needed this.” Ericka closed her eyes and inhaled the crisp, fresh air. “Break-ups are never easy, I get that. So I’m here for you.” Gina patted Ericka’s back. “I was actually thinking maybe I could set you up with a friend of—” “Uh, thanks, but no thanks,” Ericka cut in. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I think I just want to take some time for myself, you know?” “Call it a back-up plan, then.” Gina looked out over the trail. “It’s quiet out here.” “We got an early start. It’s nice though, right?” Ericka asked. “It is.” The young women carried on, taking measured steps to avoid the slick moss that still covered parts of the trail. Twigs and large branches lay near, having fallen under the weight of the heavy winter snow. “You know, I was thinking,” Gina began. “Why don’t you move in with me? It’d be cheap, and it would help me out too. It’d be a blast, right?” Ericka smiled, but soon lowered her gaze. “It would be a blast.” Gina appeared to take notice. “You think he might come back, don’t you?” “Am I that transparent? I know it’s crazy to hold out hope like that, but—” “Oh my God.” Gina stopped cold and thrust out her arm. “Wait.” Ericka stumbled over herself as they came to an abrupt halt. “What’s wrong?” She watched as Gina canvassed the area. “Hey, what’s going—” “Where are we?” “We’re on the trail,” Ericka replied. “What do you mean?” “No, where are we exactly?” Gina pressed. “How far have we walked?” Ericka checked the map on her phone to pinpoint their location. “Looks like we’re near the preserve. See.” She aimed the screen at her friend. Gina looked closely at the little blue dot that indicated their position. “This isn’t hunting season, right?” “No. That’s, like, late fall and early winter, I think. I’m pretty sure it ends in December. Gina, what’s going on? You’re starting to scare me.”