Three Steps to Hell

by Mike Holman

  Although engrossed in his work he couldn’t get Maria Peterson off his mind. He wanted an excuse to see her again very soon but didn’t want to appear over keen or over ambitious. His mind continually re-ran the events of the previous evening. Wow, what a fantastic evening and incredible sex, he thought to himself.

  Tom had four Detective Constables on duty today, a luxury for sure. It was proving to be a busy day but he was making pleasing progress with his catch up exercise in trying to clear paperwork. His lunchtime chat with Sue had persuaded him to delve much deeper into what had happened to Wayne Evans. Sue had after some persuasion told him of the visit of the two bikers to their house and the further beating that Wayne received. She had not been able to help with descriptions but Tom now felt sure that this was the same two guys who had forced him to swerve off the road that day on his way back from East Point. Sue hadn’t been able to help with how Wayne knew them or where he had been working other than to say he had been doing agency driving work. Neither did she know the agency’s name. Unfortunately agencies weren’t as free with information as they used to be and didn’t particularly like passing information on employees to the police anyway. Without a complaint from Evans Tom didn’t really have a crime to investigate and to put resources into, but he was now very intrigued as to what had occurred between them and intended to delve further as time and manpower permitted. He also wanted to identify the two bikers in order that he could pursue the incident in the car. No way were they going to get away with pointing a gun at two CID Officers even if it did transpire to be an imitation. Tom had reassured Sue that Evans would never know she had spoken to him. She was obviously very scared of him and Tom dished out some fatherly advice that she should kick him into touch and find someone else before he ruined her life. He hoped it had sunk in. Sue pleaded with him not to talk to her parents but to phone her at the bakers if he wanted to speak to her further.

  The end of the day and Tom couldn’t resist it any longer, he closed his office door and returned to his desk, picked up the telephone receiver and dialled Maria Peterson. She answered.

  “Hi Maria it’s Tom.”

  “Hello Tom, was just thinking about you, I really enjoyed yesterday evening.”

  “So did I Maria, what are you doing tonight?”

  “Nothing much Tom, I have a free evening, why?”

  “This sounds a bit presumptuous but how about if I pop over to see you again.”

  “Would this be official business or carnal pleasure Tom?”

  “Oh definitely carnal pleasure.”

  “In that case come over about 7.30, I will do food.”

  “Great, thanks Maria, can’t wait.”

  “Good, I hope you still have some energy. See you later.”

  Tom went home, walked Misty, showered and made every effort to look his best. He felt like an excited schoolboy.

  “Sorry I’ve got to leave you on your own tonight Misty but I’ve got a hot date.”

  Misty looked at him out of one eye as she lay in her basket. Rather a disapproving look Tom thought. Tom had some serious doubts about this relationship but had decided to throw caution to the wind.

  Once at Colmar Grounds Tom drove up to the electric gates and pressed the intercom button.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi Maria, it’s Tom.”

  “Hello Tom, I have a little surprise for you. When you get to the house the front door is unlocked, let yourself in then lock it behind you and come upstairs to the bedroom you used yesterday. I have something to show you.”

  “Okay, sounds intriguing.”

  “Oh, you won’t be disappointed Tom.”

  The gates opened and Tom drove over the cattle grid, down the long drive and pulled up just outside the front door. He had wonderful butterfly feelings of excitement in his stomach. There was no one around. Tom loved the peace and tranquillity of the sprawling old house and grounds. His imagination was working overtime as to what Maria’s surprise was. He let himself in, closed the front door and locked it behind him as instructed. Once on the staircase he called out.

  “Maria, I’m on my way up.”

  He got no reply. The long winding wooden staircase was very ornate and the walls adorned with what in Tom’s estimation were very expensive and very grand oil paintings, mainly landscapes and the occasional portrait. Once at the top of the stairs he started to walk along the long broad upper landing towards the room he had used the day before. He called out again, “Maria where are you?”

  “Here Tom,” her voice coming from that same room.

  Tom walked through the doorway then stopped abruptly in his tracks as soon as his eyes met with Maria. She was standing in front of the dressing table facing Tom, dressed only in a beautiful silky red and black basque, dark hold ups and stiletto heeled shoes. Her hair was down, long silky curly hair hanging down below nipple level, she had done her makeup beautifully as usual and wore red glossy lipstick. Tom was completely mesmerised with her appearance, the way she was dressed, her seductive exciting eyes, the whole scenario was totally intoxicating. He was completely lost for words, quite an unusual occurrence. He felt unbelievably aroused and imagined he must be dreaming.

  “Maria I don’t know what to say, you are such a beautiful woman and so so sexy. What have I done to deserve this?”

  “A little surprise for you Tom. Sex with you was so satisfying and exciting yesterday, I want you again. Come here sexy Detective, I want you now.”

  Tom went to Maria, held her gently at arms length for a minute and just feasted his eyes in disbelief. There was something very animal in her eyes tonight. She pulled him close and kissed him vigorously. Tom pulled away and undressed. Maria stood at the end of the sumptuous bed smiling at him, waiting. Tom approached her and slowly and gently kissed her moving from her passionate soft lips to her shoulders and her neck. The reaction on her neck was instant, she obviously found being kissed gently around the nape of the neck and shoulders very exciting. His hands stroked her soft silky buttocks. Tom gently eased the straps of her basque off her shoulders pulling it down to reveal her breasts. He moved his mouth down until his tongue made contact with her erect and excited nipples. He could feel them harden with excitement. Her hands gently massaged his erection until Tom could wait no longer. He lay back on the bed and pulled her on top of him. She rode him gently, often stopping for a few seconds and moving up and down on him so slowly as to tease him, laughing and smiling as she was doing it. Then suddenly she rode him fast and hard and Tom had an orgasm that shook his whole body. A few seconds later Maria cried out with ecstasy as she too came to orgasm, her eyes becoming wide with excitement. She stopped, smiled at Tom and said, “Tom, it just gets better and better, you are one hell of a lover. I hope my little surprise was to your liking?”

  Tom smiled, “Like all my Christmases came at once!”

  They lay together for a while then Maria convinced Tom to go and relax with a swim and sauna before dinner, which he did.

  Dinner was a fine fillet steak and all the trimmings followed by coffee and a glass of cognac in the living room, listening to one of Maria’s relaxing CDs. Maria spent the evening asking Tom many questions regarding his upbringing, his marriage and children but mostly about his experiences in the police force.

  That night Tom left Colmar Grounds a very happy, contented and completely satisfied man. The smile never left his face until he was asleep in bed and probably not even then. One thing was for sure, his dreams would be filled with images of his new and gorgeous lover.

  CHAPTER 17

  “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.