Three Steps to Hell (18 page)

“Thomas.”

As usual the sound of Barry Lowe’s voice made Tom cringe.

“Yes Barry.”

“Can you come into my office Tom, the Superintendent and I want a word.”

Tom’s heart sank, oh my God he thought to himself, have they found out about me and Maria Peterson? Christ I’ve been so unprofessional, it would just be my luck to be caught out so quickly. Tom walked into the DI’s office. Superintendent Davies was seated to the side of DI Lowe’s desk. He smiled.

“How are you Tom?”

That’s a good start thought Tom, he sounds cheerful and looks happy enough.

“I’m fine Sir, thanks.”

“You look it Tom, something has been doing you good, you have been looking really happy with life, found a new woman have you?”

“No, I just feel really well Sir,” replied Tom thinking, if they only knew!

“Now Tom, the reason we need to have a chat is that I’ve just had a call from the Superintendent of a neighbouring force, Superintendent Styles at Alpington. They had a body washed up on the beach this morning and there seems to be link with your friend Evans.”

“What, Wayne Evans Sir?” Tom asked with amazement.

“Yes, that’s the guy. The body has been in the water for a while so it isn’t in the best of condition, a white male in his late twenties, possibly a biker by appearance. Bullet hole clean through his forehead. Exit wound at the rear of his skull. Probable instant death and a very accurate shot, almost hit man style, were the pathologist’s comments. He was wearing a leather jacket. In one of the pockets they found a wallet containing a driving licence in the name of Wayne Evans with an address here in Brampton. At first they assumed that to be his identity until they spoke to our crime intelligence who informed them that Wayne Evans was of different build, has different tattoos, is fine and well here in Brampton and has been seen by the town patrols over the last couple of days. They are hoping to identify the body by fingerprints, dental records and his numerous tattoos. They are running a murder incident room over there so they will do all the enquiries, but they want to ascertain what the link is with Evans and how his wallet and driving licence came to be in this guy’s pocket. It seems your Mr Evans needs to tell you a little more about what’s been going on Tom.”

“Yes Sir, that’s the difficulty with him, getting him to say anything mildly intelligent or non-abusive. In fact getting him to say anything other than fuck off is a task in itself. It’s interesting that this guy was wearing a leather jacket and had a biker appearance because of that information I got the other day that I told you about.”

“Yes Tom, I’ll leave it with you to see what you can unravel in respect of Evans, I have asked Superintendent Styles to ask the DI in charge of the incident room in Alpington to liaise with you direct. If you need to go over there and liaise with them please do so Tom.”

“Okay Sir, I’ll call them, leave it with me.”

Superintendent Davies left the office.

DI Lowe looked at Tom and said, “Sorry to burden you with even more Tom. I know how well you and Dave Sweeting get on, if you need him to give you a closer hand on this please do so.”

“Will do, I’ll update you in due course.”

Tom left the office and went into the main office to update his Detectives.

“Do you want me to get everybody in for an office meeting tomorrow Sarge so you can update them?” asked Sweetface.

“Good idea Dave, include the Uniform Shift Sergeants and Crime Intelligence in that will you.”

“Good as done Sarge.”

Over the next few days Tom and his team worked tirelessly in an effort to assist the Alpington Incident Room and in an attempt to determine exactly what Evans had become involved in. Unfortunately, as usual, Evans being arrested and brought in for lengthy questioning had been fruitless. His explanation being that he knew plenty of bikers but not the ones described by Tom. That he had accidentally left his wallet in the pub where it must have been stolen from and he couldn’t remember when it had happened and hadn’t reported it stolen because he hates the police. As for questions relating to bikers visiting his house, his answer was as expected. That he has lots of biker mates, it was possible that some visited but he couldn’t remember and wouldn’t tell the Old Bill if he could.

Further questioning of Sue had been far more helpful particularly in relation to the bikers’ visit to their house. Although the descriptions were vague, Tom was becoming sure now that the dead man was in all probability one of the bikers he had been seeking and one of Evans’ attackers in the stabbing incident. The second one had not been seen anywhere since the discovery of the body, despite checks of all pubs and rented accommodation. The burnt out bike had been identified but the seller in Scotland received cash for the bike and it had not since been registered by the new owner. Only a brief description could be given of the buyer which matched the dead man. Two pieces of information that had been discovered today though had caused Tom’s heart to sink to the floor and were causing him great trouble and anxiety.

Dave Sweeting was most pleased with himself because during his own delving he had left a calling card at East Point Farm when they were first investigating Colin Peterson’s disappearance. The farmer had responded only recently as he and his wife had been away on holiday. Upon visiting them Sweetface discovered they had discreet CCTV at the entrance to the farm which covered the road leading towards Colmar Grounds and they had the tapes going back for some considerable time. Sweetface examined the tapes for the period that Peterson went missing and found CCTV images of his Aston Martin driving away from Colmar Grounds on the morning described by Maria Peterson, but not as early as she had suggested. It was not close enough or possible to see the driver. However, it was possible to see that there were two people in the car. Sweetface felt it looked like two males. Also, as a bonus in Sweetface’s eyes, almost by accident whilst going through the tapes at the farm he had seen images of a motorcycle with rider and pillion going to and from Colmar Grounds, (the only possible destination as it was the only house after East Point Farm). He recognised this as the same bike and bikers who had nearly forced him and Tom off the road. He was elated at this discovery. Little did he know the impact this information would have on his Sergeant and close friend. He seized the tapes to show Tom and to see if they could be enhanced. In addition to this information Dorsey had been arrested today and put through many hours of interview interspersed with lengthy periods in the cells, something that he hated and which seemed to encourage a willingness to speak. The fact that this was a murder enquiry sent him into complete panic and he eventually spilled the beans on everything Evans had told him about his casual job at East Point and the bikers.

A very worrying picture was beginning to emerge in relation to Colmar Grounds. What the hell have I got myself into with Maria Peterson thought Tom. A little later Tom’s more positive side invented a scenario where it must obviously all be something to do with one of the other businesses in the old converted barns and nothing to do with Maria Peterson’s affairs whatsoever. Of course she wouldn’t be tied up with anything criminal and sinister. He tried hard to convince himself. However, the facts that there were two people in the Aston Martin and that he still couldn’t get to speak to Colin Peterson personally were making him significantly question that scenario. Was his infatuation with Maria distorting his usually first class professional judgement?

Tom retired to his own office after a short office meeting and sat at his desk with his head in his hands in deep thought.

“Are you alright Sarge, you went white during that meeting. Was hoping you’d be really pleased with all that we have found out today.”

“I am Dave, you and Martin have worked particularly hard, well done mate. I’m okay, just got a really bad headache, probably over tired. I’ll buy you a pint before we go home.”

“Great.”

“Oh, also Dave I want you and Martin to keep a close eye on Evans’ activities over the next few days. We’ve rattled a few cages and it’ll be interesting to see what Evans and his little clan get up to. You can put some of that surveillance training you’ve just had to good use.”

“Okey dokey. I know you said during the meeting that the Alpington lot have now identified the body as Alan McDonald but I can’t believe that we still haven’t found out where he was living in this area. I suppose a visit to Colmar Grounds might further that enquiry. I take it you would like to do that one Sarge, bearing in mind your feelings for the lovely Maria,” Sweetface smiled.

“Not funny Dave, she’s just a very attractive woman that’s all, but yes, I’ll do that enquiry. Alpington suggest that the other guy is a close associate of the dead guy called Tony Davidson. Apparently they have always gone everywhere together and have been in prison together. I expect you have seen their antecedents and previous convictions that I’ve circulated. Alpington are sending some of their guys over here to help make further enquiries and to try to house him so we are going to have some visitors in town. Give them all the help they need won’t you Dave? Oh, and that doesn’t include getting them pissed every evening on expenses.”

“Certainly will Sarge, I mean help them not get them pissed!! See you later for a pint and cheer up, hope the headache goes.”

“I’m fine, now leave me in peace.”

“Just before I go, what about a phone tap on Evans’ and Dorsey’s, home phones? Surely it might be possible as it’s a murder enquiry?”

By all means put in the forms and request via the incident room, but you know what all the red tape is like Dave, doubt if you’ll get the authorisation.”

“What about Colmar Grounds, could do with one there too?”

Tom’s reply was instant.

“No Dave, Mrs Peterson is not in any way a murder suspect, wouldn’t be entertained so no request for there please. Just try Evans and Dorsey.”

Sweetface left his office. Tom let out a large sigh. Christ that would just about finish me, a phone tap on Maria and her phoning me privately and making raunchy suggestions and small talk. Definitely not, Tom thought to himself.

Tom didn’t sleep well that night. A couple of beers helped a bit but he lay awake for hours. He decided that tomorrow he would visit Maria and ask some more delving questions. Would it upset their relationship? Tom considered it all while he lay in bed. If it did transpire that he suspected she is involved in anything sinister or seriously unlawful Tom’s relationship would obviously have to end. Shit, he thought to himself that would be like winning the lottery then being told that it’s all being taken away from you and it was a big mistake. I have looked all my life for the perfect woman, I think I have found her, I start to fall in love with her then this enquiry goes all sour. I can’t believe it. Fuck. Tom tried to convince himself to stay positive. After a while he drifted off to sleep.

Tom’s dreams that night were again full of Maria Peterson. He dreamt of marrying her. A massive wedding, his children being present and supportive and even kind, thoughtful messages of congratulations and best wishes from his ex-wife Helen. The dream did have a strange side though, a honeymoon in Italy and an inopportune meeting with Colin Peterson in a restaurant which ended in a violent argument between Maria and Colin over Colmar Grounds.

Dreams he thought to himself upon waking. Always so bloody complicated.

Today is not going to be an easy one Tom thought to himself as he drove to work. He had considered leaving seeing Maria for a couple of days in the hope that further information would arise to point any suspicion of wrong doings well away from her. Can’t leave it though, he thought to himself. If I do, the Alpington Officers will be chomping at the bit to get down there to see her to move the enquiry forward. His mind was anxious, his brain working overtime and more importantly he desperately wanted to see her again. He knew full well that he was falling in love with her so needed to go over and get a feeling for what might be going on.

“Hi Maria.”

“Hello Tom, you’re phoning bright and early, what a lovely surprise, you have a very sexy telephone voice Tom. I hope you’re calling because you want me again, perhaps on Colin’s precious snooker table this time eh!”

“Well,” Tom stuttered, “Well, yes obviously I do but also, I hate to say it, I need to come and see you officially, I have some questions that need answering.”

“What, about Colin is it Tom?”

“Yes in a fashion.”

“I’ve told you, you have no need to worry that sexy naughty brain of yours about him. Put your thoughts to what you would like to do to me instead then share them with me, then make it a reality my sexy lover.”

Tom sighed, “Seriously Maria we need a chat, can I come over at lunchtime?”

“Of course, I will get Jackie to do some lunch for us, what do you fancy?”

“I think you know the answer to that,” Tom replied getting his sense of humour back.

“You naughty man, can’t do saucy at lunchtime, I’m busy today and Jackie’s here till 4 o’clock. This evening would be different.”

“Lunchtime Maria, 12.30 okay?”

“Okay see you then, sounds serious!”

Having put the receiver down Tom sat quietly and cursed under his breath. Why can’t this be the perfect relationship I want and hope it to be, he thought to himself whilst doodling on his desk blotting pad. He suddenly realised that he had written Maria’s name and drawn a heart next to it. What the hell am I doing, he said under his breath and scribbled it out so no-one could read it. He felt he was behaving like a lovesick schoolboy.

During the morning he met one of the enquiry teams from the Murder Incident Room in Alpington, DS Taylor and DC Jones. They had booked into a small local hotel and were staying in Brampton for the week to make further enquiries regarding Davidson, Evans and Colmar Grounds/East Point. Tom had instructed Sweetface and Martin to work closely with them and was hopeful that they wouldn’t start snooping around at Colmar Grounds until he had a chance to find out what the position was himself. He made it clear to them that he would speak to Maria Peterson personally as he had a good working rapport with her since his enquiries there regarding her missing husband. They seemed happy to accept that for the time being but he didn’t feel it would be long before they found reason to be snooping round there themselves. He just hoped that they would keep him well informed as to their movements and enquiries. Hence the need for Sweetface to work closely with them.