Three Steps to Hell

by Mike Holman

  “Yeah then what happened after you got out of hospital?”

  “Bastards came to the house. I had totally forgotten about the bike link. I heard a bike turn up, a knock at the door and a guy shouted that he was a courier and had a delivery for me. Basically I opened the door two guys with full face crash helmets burst in and gave me a beating. I went unconscious for a while. I couldn’t see faces but as soon as they spoke I knew it was the same two blokes. When I came round Sue was there. She disturbed them. They really scared the shit out of Sue.”

  “Fucking hell Wayne, just ‘cos you called him a fat pussy?”

  “No there’s something strange going on down at that East Point place. That Rashid is a scary shit as well and why would they be employing arseholes like that. There’s a fucking enormous house nearby, the office and warehouse are like in the grounds of this big house, they’re old farm buildings. Don’t know whether it’s got anything to do with the house though, perhaps they just rent it off them. Anyway the job’s gone obviously, no one’s been in touch, the end of it, but I ain’t leaving it there. I’ll get those bastards back even if it kills me. What’s worse is that the arsehole nicked my wallet as well, that’s why I’m skint. I’d just been paid so there was quite a bit of cash in there and my bloody driving licence.”

  “You’re lucky to still be here mate.”

  Evans laughed, “I’ll get the fuckers for this, don’t you worry. I’ll find out what’s going on down there. If it’s something big I’ll have a bit of it myself.”

  “Have you still got any keys or anything?”

  “No they never gave me any keys, I had to hand the lorry keys in every night.”

  Eric the landlord walked over and approached them, “Here lads when I was cleaning the tables back there I overheard you talking about a couple of Scottish bikers with a Kawasaki.”

  “You don’t miss much Eric!”

  Eric laughed, “Secret of being a good landlord lad. Are they the ones that gave you a seeing to Wayne?”

  “Yeah, why, do you know them?”

  “It sounds like two guys who have been in here a couple of times. Only noticed them ‘cos they looked like trouble from when they first walked through the door.”

  “Do you know names or where they live Eric ‘cos I owe them one big time.”

  “Be careful lad, you’d be mixing with big trouble I think. I’ve been in this business long enough to recognise real nasty ones when they walk in the door. I should leave it lad. I don’t know who they are or where they’re from but they always carry a big wad of notes, ain’t short of money. Why did they have a go at you then Wayne?”

  “Doesn’t matter and don’t go telling Lancaster or any of the filth that get in here.”

  “You know me better than that lad I don’t tell those buggers anything. I was as much of a pain in the arse to the Old Bill when I was young as you are lad!”

  “If you see them Eric try to find out where they’re living or renting or whatever, I need to know.”

  Eric wandered off to attend to people at the bar.

  Both sat and had another couple of pints, Wayne discussing various ideas of how he would seek retribution. At that point Sue entered the pub.

  “Remember Paul, not a fucking word to her.”

  “Don’t worry I’m cool mate.”

  CHAPTER 13

  Maria Peterson answered her phone at home.

  “Hi Carlos.”

  “Hi Maria, how’s things, is it working okay?”

  “Yes, great Carlos, the credit card company have spoken to myself and the police to say the card is being used in Spain.”

  “Tom Lancaster has been on the phone and kept me updated. He has asked the Guardia Civil to do enquiries in Spain. Should slow everything up a bit. Where are you now Carlos?”

  “In a restaurant in Galicia, I’m using his mobile.”

  “Great that’ll work really well. I’m really pleased you phoned.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “I will tell Tom Lancaster that Colin has phoned me and make up some story about him going off with some other woman or something that should put Lancaster’s enquiries at a semi-halt I hope and if he checks to see if I have received calls it will be ok. I feel terribly foolish for over-acting a bit in the first place about his disappearance and asking that Superintendent to help because I think Mr Lancaster might be getting a little over inquisitive. I hope that I can now satisfy him that Colin is okay and that’s the end of the police enquiry and if people notice he’s not around I can tell them he’s left me. I am particularly worried about the incident that Rashid has now fully explained to me involving the temporary lorry driver. I’m glad you quietened one of those Scottish lads. Perhaps both would have been better though.”

  “I think the other one has learned his lesson Maria. If there are anymore problems in that direction let me know and I will put it to sleep if you get my drift.”

  “Are you staying in Galicia?”

  “Tonight, yes, flying to Naples tomorrow. Will use the cards there then lose the mobile as discussed. Will call you in a couple of days from a public phone.”

  “Thanks Carlos, I don’t know what we would do without each other.”

  “Speak soon, adios.”

  Maria replaced the receiver and sat contemplating what her next story to Tom Lancaster would be.

  Tom’s week as usual had been a very busy one, dealing with burglaries, thefts, robberies, GBH etc. A normal week of dealing with society’s low life. Daily confrontation as usual and little thanks from anyone for his efforts. Not that he expected thanks. Years and years in the police force had taught him that no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t please everybody and the general public rarely showed thanks for anything. During the week he had received various information from the credit card companies regarding some movement on Colin Peterson’s credit cards in Spain. He had been in touch with the Guardia Civil to generate some local enquires in the Galicia area but overall he had little time to devote to the Peterson case. He had made contact with Maria Peterson to update her, but little more. As he was thinking about her his office telephone rang. He lifted the receiver.

  “Hello Tom, it’s Maria Peterson.”

  “Oh, hi, that’s spooky I was just thinking about you.”

  “Ooh I’m flattered Tom.”

  “Oh sorry I didn’t mean like that.”

  “Don’t apologise Tom, I do have a sense of humour you know.”

  “I was just thinking I should come to see you to discuss where we are regarding your husband. I’m sorry but I’ve been so busy this last week.”

  “I fully understand Tom. Anyway I have some news for you, he has phoned me from Galicia in Spain.”

  “Oh, great, so he’s safe?”

  “Yes, but unfortunately it is rather complicated, it involves another woman as I suspected it might. Can you come over so I can explain what he has told me?”

  “I’m intrigued. Yes, of course. How about 4pm this afternoon?”

  “Perfect Tom, I’ll see you then. Jackie should still be here because she’s working over a bit to do a few extra jobs for me, she will let you in.”

  “Okay see you later.”

  “I will look forward to it, hasta lluego.” (Spanish for see you later).

  Tom was looking forward to his trip to Colmar Grounds, mainly because he couldn’t wait to see Maria Peterson again and secondly because it sounded like the missing person enquiry regarding Colin Peterson was about to come to an end and meant another file off his desk and finished with. Maria was also hoping that the police enquiry in relation to Colin would now come to an end. That any future talk of his disappearance could be easily answered by the fact that he had run off with another woman, that the police had been involved and were satisfied that there was nothing suspicious surrounding his absence.

  CHAPTER 14

  Tom arrived at Colmar Grounds on the dot at 4pm. He buzzed at the main gates. Jackie let him in and took him t
hrough to the kitchen.

  “Make yourself at home Sergeant, Mrs Peterson is in the pool, I’ll go and tell her you’re here.”

  “Before you go Jackie and while Maria’s out of the way, how is she?”

  “I think she’s a lot better now she has heard from him and knows that he is alive and well. She told me he had phoned from Spain, told her he was unhappy, dissatisfied with life and had found a new love. It didn’t surprise me, he always seemed a bit of a playboy. The only thing that did surprise me though is that he would give all this up, that’s really odd because he adores money and material possessions, like his car for instance and the house, in fact everything material.”

  “Yes that’s a good point Jackie, that is odd.”

  “Well perhaps his new love is a very wealthy widow or something and I suppose after they divorce he won’t exactly be poor,” Jackie suggested thoughtfully.

  “Yes, who knows, perhaps he’s realised that there’s more to life than money. So has Maria taken it okay?”

  “Yes, they weren’t much in love I don’t think. She is the big business brains and now she knows he’s okay I’m sure she’ll just throw herself into work, making money, shopping and dining well as usual. I think it was bound to happen and probably suits her like this. Hey, I’d better go and tell her you’re here and I’ve got to be off soon. Put the kettle on and I’ll make you a coffee when I get back.”

  Tom put the kettle on and made a fuss of Jasper who was for once being quite obedient and not jumping up or being a nuisance.

  Jackie left the room and walked to the indoor pool, an enormous conservatory style room on the back of the house overlooking the manicured gardens and housing a heated Olympic size pool, sauna, solarium and jacuzzi.

  Maria was swimming lengths.

  “Mrs Peterson, Sgt Lancaster is here, I’m just going to make him a coffee.”

  “Yes do that, he can bring his coffee in here Jackie, I want to carry on doing lengths for a bit.”

  Jackie thought this odd but did as she was told.

  When she returned to the kitchen Tom had found a mug and the coffee and made himself a drink.

  “It’s okay Jackie, I’ve made my coffee.”

  “Mrs Peterson says she wants you to take it through to the spa as she calls it, you are honoured!”

  Tom looked delighted.

  “Okay Jackie, lead the way.”

  Jackie took Tom to the spa and put his coffee at a table in the top corner of the pool room. It was beautifully warm in there and Tom was most impressed with the panoramic views of the garden and the fact that the building was obviously so well air-conditioned. There was no misting up of the glass areas or dampness taking into account the warmth of the pool. He was even more impressed though with the beautiful bronzed outline of the woman swimming in the pool. Maria stopped in the middle of the pool to tread water, pushed her wet hair back off her face with one hand, looked towards Tom, smiled broadly and said,

  “Hello Tom, I hope you don’t mind sitting in here for a minute while I finish my swim?”

  “No, not at all, what a beautiful pool and the views of the garden are stunning, you are a very lucky lady.”

  “Thank you Tom. Yes my very favourite place to unwind, but no, not lucky, it’s the result of very hard work. In my mind Tom, luck is purely self generated and it’s not until one realises that that one becomes successful.”

  Jackie re-appeared at the entrance.

  “Mrs Peterson can I interrupt?” Jackie asked.

  “Yes Jackie what is it?”

  “Is it okay if I make a move now, I’ve finished everything you asked.”

  “Yes, thanks Jackie, make sure the front door is locked as you go won’t you. Have you fed Jasper?”

  “Yes, he’s in his basket in the kitchen.”

  “Thanks Jackie, see you in the morning.”

  “Bye Sergeant.”

  “Bye Jackie, thanks for the coffee.”

  Maria returned to swimming lengths for a few more minutes whilst Tom sat and took in the views, mainly of Maria, imagining to himself how gorgeous her body would be as it emerged glistening with water from the warm pool.

  Well, even his imagination hadn’t done Maria’s figure justice. Having finished her swim she emerged from the pool by the steps in the corner, her silky olive skin shimmering with the combination of the lighting and the water droplets. She was topless and wore only a leopard print bikini thong, her wet hair hanging halfway down her back. Wow, Tom thought, what an amazing body, totally gorgeous. He averted his gaze. She turned away from him and bent forward quickly throwing her hair forward. She wrung her hair out and wrapped it in a towel. As she was bending forward Tom couldn’t help looking at her perfectly shaped and trim bottom, legs and ankles. Was there nothing about this woman that wasn’t truly adorable and gorgeous?

  She stood up, turned and started walking towards Tom. Tom once again averted his gaze.

  “Sorry Tom, I hope you are not embarrassed by the fact that I’m topless. I’m sure it’s nothing you haven’t seen on many beaches. Could you pass me that robe behind you?”

  Tom passed the fluffy white towelling robe and sat back down on a chair opposite.

  “Oh trust me Maria, I have never before seen a woman quite as beautiful as you. Not that I have been staring,” he quickly added.

  “Why thank you for the compliment Tom, I am not used to such compliments and stop worrying, just relax, trouble with you is you’re always in ‘on duty’ mode.”

  “I’m sure Colin has many times complimented you on the way you look Maria.”

  Maria sat down opposite Tom at the small table. She laughed.

  “No Tom, we are well suited for financial and business purposes and share the same ideals in relation to many of life’s more important matters but neither of us exactly flirt with each other nor are we particularly compatible or passionate on the sexual front. That part of our marriage has been extremely lacking throughout, to say the least.”

  “Well I can assure you, you are an incredibly feminine, beautiful and elegant woman,” Tom couldn’t believe he had just said that.

  “Not bad yourself either Tom, I bet all the girls in your office would like a date with you!”

  “Well if they do, none of them have ever mentioned it. Since Helen and I divorced I have just worked, worked and worked. I haven’t had the time or opportunity for any relationships.”

  Maria smiled and looked deeply into Tom’s eyes, unnerving him a little and said, “What a waste.”

  Feeling a little uncomfortable Tom changed the subject.

  “So, tell me about the phone call you had from Colin, what did he have to say. You seem a lot happier and look less troubled now.”

  “Oh, I am Tom, at least I know he’s okay and I have come to terms with what he told me. Before I do Tom, I would like to go and shower then sort myself out and dry my hair. Why don’t you have a swim while I do that, about 20 minutes okay?”

  “No it’s okay Maria, I’ll just wait here.”

  “Have a swim Tom, there are clean spare trunks in the room down there, (she pointed to a door at the other end of the pool area), and a robe too. It’s our changing room for guests. Please help yourself and enjoy. Remember Tom, all work and no play….”

  “I wouldn’t mind, the pool looks really inviting.”

  “Go on Tom, enjoy yourself for Christ’s sake. Jackie has gone home, no-one will know but us, let your hair down a bit.”

  “Okay, sounds great, thank you.”

  Maria got up and left the pool area glancing back towards Tom and smiling, “See you in about 20 minutes, please, please relax and enjoy the pool, no-one is around.”

  Tom went to the changing room, selected a pair of trunks that he thought would fit and got undressed. Can’t believe this, he thought to himself, Maria Peterson semi-naked, a nice dip in the pool, the boys in the office wouldn’t believe this if I told them. Tom had a good look around and found another door into the sauna.
How the other half live, he pondered. Tom enjoyed an invigorating swim. When finished he borrowed one of the luxurious towelling robes from the changing room and lay on a sun lounger at one end of the pool, closed his eyes and for once was able to deeply relax.

  CHAPTER 15

  “Tom,” Maria spoke louder, “Tom.”

  She shook him gently. Tom had dozed off. He opened his eyes feeling a little disorientated then realised where he was. Maria was still in a towelling robe but had dried her hair and done her makeup. She had her hair down and Tom thought how it really suited her, such long dark lustrous curly hair. He imagined briefly what it would feel like to hold her close and run his fingers through those silky curls. Maria looked into his eyes. She had powerful, beautiful, bewitching eyes, almost hypnotic which slightly unnerved him for a few seconds.

  “Bless you Tom, you must have been working too hard. Can I get you anything? A coffee, a beer, whisky or anything?”

  Tom looked at his watch.

  “I’m officially off duty in about 15 minutes so yes a beer would be lovely but just the one because I’m driving.”

  “Go and sit at the table, I’ll get a beer, then I can tell you what Colin had to say to me. At least you won’t have to waste your valuable time trying to find him anymore, one case less eh!”

  Tom felt a little uncomfortable still in swimming trunks and robe.

  “I’d better get changed first”

  “No hurry Tom, you’d probably be a bit hot in here in your suit, it’s very humid around the pool, change a bit later.”

  Tom moved to the poolside table and sat down. Maria left the room.

  Maria returned with two ice cold beers and sat with Tom at the table. She then related a completely fictitious story to him of how Colin had phoned her on his mobile from Girona to apologise for disappearing without a word. That he didn’t really know what to do because he was frightened to face her with the news that he had found a new woman. That he didn’t love her anymore and had decided to make a new life with his new found love in Italy after a short break in Girona. He was fed up with the daily struggle of keeping up with their material wealth and wanted a simpler more fulfilling life. That she wasn’t to worry about him because his new lady friend was a wealthy Italian business woman in her own right and they had met as a result of her purchasing expensive antiques and paintings from him over the last year. Maria stated that she had asked Colin her identity but he had refused to give her name. He had told her not to attempt to try to discover it by looking through his sales records as all her dealings with him had been strictly cash and not recorded. He had said that she could keep everything and continue to run the businesses as she saw fit and if anything needed signing regarding power of attorney to contact their solicitor who knew how to get hold of him. Maria knew that Tom would be fully aware that due to client confidentiality it would be a waste of him time trying to find out Colin’s whereabouts via the solicitor and she would suitably brief him anyway.