Tropical Passion Killer (No-one said it would be easy. Book 1) Page 4

  Steve told them why they were there.

  "I’m sorry if this is frustrating she said, but our customers want privacy and security and we pride ourselves in this service. Unless this is an extremely important matter to them, I cannot contact them now.”

  “I can assure you that this is important to them, Steve replied. Do you know the family?”

  “Yes, I do. I have known the family a long time.”

  “You know Josh?”

  “OK, what’s wrong, is Josh in trouble.”

  “He may be in danger.”

  “Josh can handle himself, very well in fact. He’s in Panama or somewhere isn’t he?”

  “Where are his parents?”

  “They’re on a cruise, they'll be somewhere near Thailand and heading towards Australia. The three of them are meeting up in New Zealand for Polly’s wedding in a few weeks. Polly is Josh's sister."

  “Do you know Josh’s friend Filipe?" Lauren asked.

  “Not well, I’ve met him a couple of times when he's visited the area, in the gym, in a couple of bars. I’m on WhatsApp with Josh, the last one was from next to a canal ship with Filipe.”

  "Can you get away from here for a while?”

  “As I’m the boss here I suppose I can. Give me twenty minutes to get one of the crew back into the office and I’ll get changed.”

  After arranging to meet at the nearby Alderley Edge Hotel, Steve decided to call the boss.

  He explained that the Newtons were on a cruise between Thailand and Australia headed for New Zealand, it was middle of the night at their present location but he'd met a friend who was in touch with Josh and there'd been no contact since Panama.

  They discussed the next move and decided that Jessica should contact Josh and be asked to provide as much information on both him and Newton family as she could. If possible the Boss would contact the Newtons in around two hours.

  At the the Alderley Edge Hotel Lauren ordered coffees and they waited for Jessica at a table in the garden. She arrived wearing a bright orange tight fitting top with short length jeans and her dark hair was tied back. A complete change from the woman who had been wearing the uniform only ten minutes earlier. She walked straight and looked strong, Steve thought to himself. How impressed he was with the change in the woman he had only just met. Lauren ordered her a coffee, Americano.

  The three of them were alone and it felt easy to talk. Steve asked Jessica what she knew about Josh and then told her that Filipe had been murdered.

  He explained to Jessica how important it was to contact Josh so he could be eliminated from the enquiry and for them to gather any information or any evidence from their time together in Central America, that could assist in their investigation and of course to ensure that he was still alive.

  Jessica had known Josh since he was 16 after they met at the local judo club. They'd been competing at different levels as he was seven years younger than her and they'd both trained at different clubs before that. Polly was also a member at the club but was two years older than Josh, she also played hockey at a high level while Josh played with the local rugby union club. Polly had moved to New Zealand and continued to play hockey there, but Jessica hadn’t seen her since she'd left Alderley Edge.

  Jessica would occasionally meet with Josh when their paths crossed when he came back from University, at judo or socially in Edge and Manchester. He was well liked with a great personality, he had good friends but not a girlfriend that she was aware of. He was going to work in his father’s manufacturing business.

  Time to contact Josh.

  They decided that Jessica should call and ask for permission to give out his mobile number.

  She dialled and waited for the call, it went straight to “leave a message”.

  “Shit, sorry" Steve said. Can you send him a message in the way you normally would and ask him to get in contact with you? Would he reply?”

  “I don’t see why not.”

  “We're heading back to Newcastle now. We need the numbers for his parents so if you can you send me them while we're on our way please. As soon as you have them.”

  Jessica handed the contact numbers to Lauren, "I will use my initiative on this. They know me.”

  “I'll send a couple of lads down tomorrow to do a search of Josh’s room, Steve said, for his travel arrangements, documents, passport details, OK. I'll let you know as soon as I’ve been in touch with his parents.”

  They walked to the car park together and shook hands. Steve and Lauren watched as Jessica slipped in to her grey metallic Porche 911 Carrera S cabriolet. She glanced at Steve with a smile then waved to them both and drove slowly through the car park.

  As Steve started to drive away, Lauren commented “I think she likes you”. He smiled at her and said “Who wouldn’t”. To which Lauren replied, “Who wouldn’t what?” They both had a childish laugh then Lauren made a call on the car speaker.

  “Hi Andy, it's Steve, no joy down here. Can you prep Billy and Alan to drive to Alderley Edge first thing or tonight if possible and stop over. Whatever suits? They need to do a full search of Josh’s room and documents. We couldn’t contact Josh, he might not have been near his phone who knows? We've left a message. I know it’s getting on but keep Sarah going. The parents are on a cruise near Thailand, Lauren will send a text with their contact numbers.”

  "Sarah's had word back from the bank Steve. Filipe's account. A withdrawal of two thousand dollars was made at a bank in Panama City on Monday the 8th of May. A day after he left Panama City and travelled to Colon!"

  “Has she managed to find anything on Josh’s accounts?”

  “Yes, he paid for his flights from here to Barcelona and Mexico on his credit card but nothing else back yet.”

  “Thank her mate. Is the boss about?”

  “Still in his office Steve, do you want to speak to him?"

  “Tell him. Ask him, to call me as soon as he can. We should be back by eleven for a debrief. Cheers Andy.”

  After a few miles the phone rang, “Hi James, what've you got?”

  “Not a lot Boss. We couldn’t get in touch with Josh or his parents but you might be able to get a call through now. We've sent a text to Josh’s mobile to get in touch with a friend of his, Jessica, she owns the company that’s looking after the family home. JOB Security. We'll be back at eleven.”

  “I'll get it done. See you back here.”

  The ‘Super’, attempted to ring the numbers given but couldn’t get a reply. He called Headquarters communications and requested they identify the cruise ship with the Newton’s on board and get in touch with the ship’s purser and ring him back.

  It was 22:32 when the communications room rang back. “I will put you through to the purser Sir.”

  “Hello, Detective Superintendent Tinkler from Northumbria Police, who am I speaking to please?”

  “I am the Purser on the ‘Norwegian Star’ Sir. How can I help?”

  “It is a matter of urgency that I speak with Mr Newton and possibly his wife.”

  “Can I inform them of the nature of your call?”

  “No, but they could possibly need a comfortable chair.”

  “Oh, of course Sir, will you wait?”

  “Yes. It's urgent."

  He waited for 10 minutes.

  “Hello?”

  “Is that Mr Newton?”

  “Yes, who's speaking please?”

  “I’m Superintendent Tinkler from Northumbria Police. We need to get in touch with Josh and I was wondering if you've had any contact from him recently. There's been some trouble with Filipe and we just want to make sure Josh is OK.”

  “Josh left Filipe about a week ago, maybe more. He's on his own now somewhere in the States. Is Filipe ok?”

  “Filipe has been involved in an incident in South America, we are making enquiries at this moment. How long is it since you heard from Josh?”

  “About five, six days ago. He was on his own, he'd left Filipe in Panama and was head
ing for Los Angeles to do some stuff before we meet up with him in New Zealand a couple of weeks from now. Is Josh in any trouble?”

  “No. We just think he may be able to help us with our enquiries about Filipe. Does he have any other contact numbers?”

  “No just the one you'll have and the email, which I'm sure you'll have too.”

  “OK it sounds that he is safe and well. Can you tell him to contact me if he gets in touch?”

  “Of course, I hope you get Filipe sorted out.”

  He ended the call and shouted, “Sarah, anything back on Josh’s phone yet or any emails?”

  “Still waiting Boss.”

  Steve and Lauren returned to the office and had a very short debrief. In reality, they'd not gained anymore information and decided to finish the shift, returning for a 08:00 start, hoping tomorrow would be a more productive day.

  Chapter 5

  Wednesday 18th May

  It was 07:40 when Steve walked into the squad room, the Boss was in his office, Sarah was at her desk, the kettle was on and there was the smell of fresh toast. Andy came in, he had ridden in on his bike and had been for a shower. Billy and Alan walked in together and the noise volume went up a few notches, shortly followed by Lauren who was carrying a large take away coffee and a croissant. Billy and Alan headed straight for the toaster and loaded two extra thick slices each with loads of butter and strawberry jam. Sarah took Steve a coffee to his desk.

  They all started to take seats around the briefing table. In reality it was four tables pushed together and could sit 16 in a squeeze. There were twelve grey cushioned plastic bucket seats in place, Andy had prepared a briefing power point.

  Steve received a phone call, checking the screen it was Jessica from JOB security. He walked away from the table. “Hi Jessica, You Ok?”

  “Yes, I’m fine, didn’t sleep much though. I’ve had no reply from Josh so I contacted some of his mates in the area. I’ve had a text back from Marty saying Josh had left Panama was on his way to the states. Las Vegas and then to Hawaii. That was on 8th May. “

  “That was ten days ago”

  “Maybe he has lost his phone and his contact list.”

  “He could still get a new phone and call someone he knew, or your business number maybe. If you don’t mind can you try some more of his mates, don’t tell them the reason why though. I’m in a meeting I’ll call you back?”

  The boss took his seat at the head of the table with his coffee and toast, Andy started the power point briefing.

  “What we know so far. Filipe and Josh travelled to the Americas together from the town via Barcelona on Tuesday 19th April. They are both 25, healthy, wealthy and loved life. This was a trip that had been planned together when they were at University in Newcastle. We know they visited Mexico, Belize and Panama. They are using currency, US dollars and take cash from banks rather than using their cards. Some cash was taken from Filipe's bank in Panama City on Monday 8th May. It’s believed that they took a canal cruise through to a town called Colon on the Atlantic side of the canal on or about that date. Filipe spoke to his mother on that Sunday saying he was in Colon but would not be stopping as it wasn’t a pleasant town. Neither of the lads contact their parents regularly unless they wanted something as Mr. Lopez says, they’re big lads now. There has been no contact from either of them since.”

  Steve, “Sorry Andy, but I have just taken a call saying that Josh was in contact with a friend in Alderley Edge on the 9th May, saying he had left Panama and was on his way to the USA."

  Andy, "Great I’ll input that. Going on, they were due to split up in Central America, Panama probably now. It was thought that Filipe was to continue around South America, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Josh was going to the states and New Zealand.”

  “On Monday16th, the Lopez family received the WhatsApp video recording we have all seen of Filipe being murdered. Somewhere, by the female. And that’s what we know.”

  “Actions, Walter and his team are tracing both phones and email tracking. Sarah is waiting for the bank returning their records. Billy and Alan, I want you to get down to Cheshire and do a search of Josh’s documents for plans and get a statement off the last contact person with him, liaise with Steve for that info. Boss anything?”

  “I’ve spoken to the parents of Josh who are on a cruise near Thailand. They have not heard from him since he left Filipe on his own and was heading for the USA. You cannot assume anything but it may well be that Josh knows nothing of what happened to Filipe. But we do need to trace him and the movements of Filipe before that video. At the moment we are waiting for something, anything to get this started. I’ve got funding for this so green light on let’s push ahead. Hopefully the banks and phones will come back today. Ok let’s get to work, keep Andy in touch.”

  Walter strolls in, “Sorry I’m late but we’ve had some results come through”

  Boss, “Sit down and give us the good news?”

  Walter takes a seat,” We have identified the water bottle as Polar water which is distributed in Venezuela, might narrow your location search down but a big country. The initial record of use of the phone used by Filipe has just come back which links in. It was used fairly regularly until Monday, when it was used to send a message to Josh’s phone and the WhatsApp message to his parents. It has not been used since. The last messages were originated in Caracas, prior to that it is sited in Porlamar, on the island of Margarita when it was used several times. We are waiting for any information back from WhatsApp which we should get today.”

  Boss, “Great stuff Walter, thank the lads for me but keep them at it. Give the printed details to Sarah. Sarah full checks on all numbers used, hotels, transport, restaurants, known persons, the works. Andy liaise with the police liaison officer in Venezuela as much info as you can give him, any unidentified bodies, similar MO’s . Lads, you two get down to Cheshire pronto as much effort into tracing Josh through his contacts and any documents in the home. Lauren, contact Panama police liaison with as much info as you can give them, is there any CCTV on the canal cruiser, hotels. Get cracking. Jimmy my office now”.

  The table quickly cleared. Billy and Alan picked up their overnight bags and document holders and headed towards the car park. Sarah and Lauren sat at their computer desks; Sarah was downloading the phone results from an email from the IT department. Lauren was checking the police almanac, it was only 4am in Caracas and 3am in Panama. Andy was updating the information board. Walter went to the toast machine.

  Steve followed the boss into his office. The Boss shouted “Two coffees”. Walter put the kettle on.

  “What are you thinking Jimmy?”

  “I think Filipe was murdered before the phone was used in Caracas, so possibly in Margarita. That would mean that it was probably the murderer who contacted Josh”

  “Right. Why would they want to contact Josh if he was in another part of the world?”

  “No idea, unless something happened before they split up in Panama”

  The Boss was thoughtful. “Whatever it is, Josh is either in danger or dead for some reason or another. They have upset somebody, really upset serious people. It is a fucking dangerous place over there. Were they into drugs?”

  “Cannot find any trace, or anyone with any knowledge that they were into drugs. They did have a canny bit of cash access though?”

  “I’ve got some funds, like I say. Fancy a trip to Latin America? I can only afford one to go. I will get you met by the liaison officers for some local knowledge. We need to work fast on this to establish facts before we can pass it on to the relevant Country”.

  Steve, “I’ll get in touch with Jessica in Cheshire and ask her to keep trying Josh and his mates for any contact and I will have a look at maps to see where Margarita is?”

  “I want you to start in Panama City. We know they were on the cruiser together. I’m hopeful that Sarah will have the hotel and transport details sorted today. Get home and get packing, don’t forget the sun cream, you wo
n’t need beach shorts. I’ll get HQ to sort out the flights and some currency. Get out and back with your gear don’t forget your passport.”

  Walter walked in and gave the boss his coffee and kept the other one for himself as he walked out of the office with Jimmy. Steve headed for the car park.

  Just over an hour later Steve was getting out of the shower and drying himself down when his mobile rang. It was the boss. “Jimmy, got you a flight from Manchester with Virgin to Atlanta then on to Panama. It’s an open ticket. Go to HQ they have printed your tickets and got some dollars and other stuff for you, the flight is early tomorrow so they have booked a hotel at the airport for you. OK. You alright? We are contacting the liaison officers now”

  “Yes boss, what about communication?”

  “Fuck, I forgot about that. I’ll get someone to sort that out at HQ”

  “Boss remember my name is Steve when the contacts are made”

  “Fuck off Jimmy, get the job done and maybe some free sun. But. Do not do anything daft or stupid. These people are obviously, very nasty”

  “Aye boss, no worries”

  Steve finished drying off and got dressed.

  His second-floor apartment in Gosforth to the North of Newcastle was immaculately clean. Highly polished wooden floors. In the living room there was a three-seater black leather sofa and two single bucket chairs. A large screen TV was placed in the centre of the wall. A small glass coffee table was in front of the sofa where there was a framed photograph of Steve in army uniform with a group of four others smiling and lounging against a troop carrier in desert colours. Two more photos of Steve on the wall, one in dress uniform, whites, at attention and the other in a large group of Commando regiment in desert fatigues. He walked into the square minimal bedroom. A King-sized bed which was made but had been slept in looking at the creases in the pillows. A working desk with a cleaned surface and closed laptop the only item on the desk. One wall had full length fitted wardrobes. He picked up his black medium sized case from inside one of the wardrobes. He didn’t know what to pack as he looked at his neatly arranged clothing, racks of shirts, each in a colour order. Dress shirts, casual smart, polos. He took a mixed selection and folded and rolled them neatly. His underwear and socks were neatly folded and sorted in colour inside the drawers of the wardrobe. Again, he took a mixed selection. The shoes he selected were placed in the bottom of the case. The toiletries bag was always packed but he included some mosquito spray and suntan cream, then he packed two pairs of beach shorts. Just in case. Packing completed he collected his passport from the desk drawer and walked to the doorway. He put a lightweight jacket on and stashed his sunglasses in their pouch in the inside breast pocket, mobile phone in his right pocket, checked his passport and put it in the breast pocket with his sunglasses. He picked up the car and apartment keys, set the property alarm and left the building.