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the moment but you can go in. I’m just making him a coffee, do you want one?”
    “Yes please Anne, black and strong please, two sugars.”
    Tom politely knocked on the Superintendent’s door and walked in. Alan Davies was in deep conversation on the phone relating as usual to budgets and lack of funds. His office was a grand, quite imposing affair. A large oak desk placed centrally, facing a broad window that overlooked the entrance drive to the police station and the well tended grounds. His office was immediately above the front foyer and public entrance giving him a perfect view of the comings and goings at Brampton Police Station.
    Tom stood at the window staring out over the grounds and drive, deep in retirement thoughts of peace, quiet, sun and sea.
    Alan Davies completed his call and replaced the receiver.
    “Tom, just the man.”
    “Morning Sir, you wanted to see me?” said Tom turning round to face the Superintendent.
    “Yes Tom, have a seat, do you fancy a coffee?”
    Tom sat down in one of the visitors’ chairs arranged the opposite side of the desk.
    “Anne’s already making one Sir.”
    “Fine, I was wondering if you could do me a little favour and have a look into something for me.”
    “It’ll cost you, Sir,” said Tom as a joke.
    Alan Davies laughed and said, “If you’re going to ask for more money for the CID budget, I think you already know the answer Tom! How are you coping running the office on your own while your counterpart Nichols is on holiday, only I know how busy you’ve been lately?”
    “Not too bad Sir. We are a bit pushed but coping. It’s the damn call outs in the night that tire me out. While John is away I get them all. And don’t let DI Lowe hear you suggest that I am running the office, he’ll be most put out.”
    Superintendent Davies laughed, “It’s okay Tom, I know who does the work, he’s just one of the new accelerated promotion breed that we all have to tolerate. I know you won’t agree but there is a place in the force for men like him Tom.”
    “I can think of quite a few,” retorted Tom, “But most would be far too disrespectful to suggest.”
    The door to the office opened and Anne placed coffee in front of both men, two chocolate digestive biscuits adorning the saucer of the Superintendent.
    “Thanks Anne, don’t know where I would be without you!” Anne smiled and left the room.
    “Now Tom, the reason I wanted to see you.”
    “Yes Sir, I’m intrigued,” replied Tom.
    “Three days ago a guy by the name of Colin Peterson was reported missing by his wife Maria. I know them both just as very loose acquaintances from Brampton Golf Club. About a year ago they held a big party at their house to celebrate his 50 th birthday. I, like many others from the golf club, got invited. Shirley and I reluctantly decided to go, more to be nosy than anything else as everyone is always talking about his wealth and fantastic house. I always felt a little uneasy about being too close to them as friends.”
    “Why Sir?”
    “I’ve no idea really Tom, just a feeling I had. Nice enough couple but he is a bit rough and ready and didn’t seem to fit in totally with the wealth he displayed. A boastful man who liked to draw attention to himself in a flamboyant way, not my cup of tea really. I often wondered if most of it was borrowed money. She was nice though. A very eloquent and beautiful lady of Spanish origin, slightly younger than him. She seemed to fit her surroundings much more suitably. Anyway I would see them occasionally at the golf club and have a social drink but other than that kept my distance.”
    “How did he go missing Sir?”
    “Well it’s really odd. Apparently he told his wife he had to go to London for a business meeting with an old acquaintance. He left home really early, about 3.30 or 4.00am I believe, to drive to London and beat the traffic. She said she was still fast asleep when he left. Apparently they don’t share the same bedroom.