Three Steps to Hell by Mike Holman Read Free Book Online

When she awoke, he had gone, his car was gone as was his briefcase, mobile phone, wallet etc, in fact all the things he would normally take and she assumed all was well, but he has never returned.”
    “What about the guy he was meeting?”
    “Maria says she has no idea who he was meeting, when or where the meeting was or what it was about. Apparently he has his diary with him and there would be no other record of the meeting. His desk at home has been checked but we’re no further forward. It’s a strange one Tom.”
    “What does he do for a living Sir?”
    “They live in an enormous old farmhouse not far from the cliffs at East Point. They probably own a couple of hundred acres of land there and boast of owning a part of the coastal path behind the property that leads down to a couple of small sandy coves. It’s annoyed quite a few local ramblers that they have fenced off their part of the coastal walk, including the coves. They’ve been to me for advice, but if it’s privately owned the ramblers have no rights and that’s the end of it. They’re not public footpaths and the small beaches are now inaccessible to the public. They say the previous owner had allowed people to use and enjoy the area. Anyway, I’m not sure exactly what Peterson does but he describes himself as an entrepreneur who is into property, antiques, shipping and transport. Some of the old farm buildings have been converted into offices and got planning permission for commercial use, but whether this is by them or whether they rent it out, I’m not sure. I always tried to avoid getting too deep in conversation with him. He annoyed me intensely ‘cos I felt he only wanted to befriend me because of my position in the police force. Perhaps he felt he could get favours.”
    “Doesn’t sound like the sort of person who normally goes missing,” Tom replied thoughtfully.
    “No it’s strange Tom. It all seems fairly genuine in respect of the wife though. Sgt Atkins and one of his WPC’s went down there and went through the motions, have filled in the necessary missing person form and circulated the information, his description, car details etc. Apparently Maria was very emotionally upset, the WPC spent some time with her and was quite happy that her reactions were genuine, befitting a loving wife whose husband has disappeared. They have liaised with the Metropolitan and City Police but nothing has come up at all. No sightings of the car, Peterson or anything. They’ve checked airports, hospitals etc. as best they can and surrounding police forces in respect of accidents or suspicious incidents, but nothing. Sgt Atkins felt it might be some sort of domestic problem between the two of them. Perhaps Peterson has a younger woman elsewhere or something like that but I haven’t heard any rumours. Maria has been on the phone to me twice and she seems genuinely upset, distraught and concerned for him. She says it’s not the most fantastic marriage which is why they sleep separately but works as a day to day marital partnership. She says she loves him and is deeply concerned for his safety as three days have now passed. She has been most insistent that we try and do more Tom. I know a missing person is usually down to Uniform but I would like you to go out there, get to know her and snoop around a bit, see what you can find out. Sgt Atkins is downstairs he can brief you as to how far he has got before you go. Keep me updated Tom.”
    “Okay Sir. Will you be speaking to her on the phone?”
    “Yes I shall tell her you will visit.”
    “I’ll go after lunch Sir. Perhaps you could check if that’s convenient for her. I’ll take Dave Sweeting if he’s finished with the prisoners so he can snoop around while I’m talking to her.”
    “Ideal Tom, I’ll phone her and be in touch shortly. Sorry to lumber you, I suspect you’re busy with that stabbing last night as well?”
    “Not really Sir, I am intrigued to find out what I can but Evans won’t