The Addiction of Love

By Peter D. Bull

Detective Nick Green recognises the corpse of a drug dealer he'd arrested years earlier, but says nothing to his current partner in the case. His memory of the man's sexy wife prompts him into looking her up. A relationship starts but he soon discovers that she is far from innocent herself. He disposes of vital evidence in order to protect her, but the police are onto him. They watch and listen as he digs himself deeper and deeper in search of love

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716371387

Book preview

coincidental.

CHAPTER ONE

Detective Sergeant Nick Wood was finishing up some notes at his desk concerning a case that he’d been working on for several weeks.

His colleague and friend John Green was sitting at his own desk and was on the phone, he was also a DS. Nick was relatively new at that level, having been promoted five months earlier.

Both men were thirty- two years of age.

Their boss walked into the office and made his way to Nick’s desk.

He handed him a report that had just come into his possession, but saved him the job of reading it.

It’s your lucky day. He said with a grin. A body’s just been found on farmland. The pair of you need to get over there ASAP before the scene is compromised.

Nick took the report and quickly scanned the small amount of information that was available to him.

Read it on route. Detective Inspector Stone said. Get your arses into gear and piss off.

John finished his call immediately having told his informant that he’d get back to him.

I’m ready. He said to Nick. Who’s driving?

Me of course, you drive like an old lady.

A smile came across John’s face. Well I never went through the boy racer phase myself. He said with a grin.

Come on Miss Daisy, I’ll go slowly for you. Nick said in a low voice, so as not to be heard by his boss, who was on his way out.

They both walked quickly down to the Police carpark and Nick beeped his car unlocked as they approached it.

Do we know ANYTHING yet? John asked.

Nothing at all dear boy. Nick answered with a smirk as he handed the short report over to his partner.

Gunshot wound. John said as he read. Pound to a piece of shit it’s drugs again.

I expect you’re right. Nick said. Isn’t it always?

There was no response to the rhetorical question as he watched the traffic pass by at speed.

Within the hour they’d arrived at their destination having had heavy traffic to contend with until they’d got out of town.

They were greeted at the end of the lane by uniformed officers and were advised that the area had been cordoned off, and that a forensic team had only just arrived themselves.

You’ll only be able to drive up there a short distance sir. The officer advised. It’s more or less a farm track not a road.

Oh great. Nick said. I’ve left my wellies at home and I’ve got new shoes on.

John laughed as he rubbed his hands together.

"I love a bit of mud myself. I was brought up on a farm so it doesn’t bother ME one little bit.

Drive on my man, let’s see what awaits us up there. By the way, it DOES wash off you know."

The comment was ignored as Nick drove slowly onwards.

I hate the countryside. Give me a town any day. He groaned.

They approached the yellow and black taped off area where four officers waited for identification to be shown as the two detectives got closer.

The tape was lifted once the officers had been identified and the two men walked up the muddy uphill slope to where the forensic team were preparing themselves.

My missus will go fucking apeshit when she sees these shoes. Nick said as he attempted to avoid the worst of the mud. Eighty fucking quid these were.

John laughed a discreet laugh, not wishing to be seen by other officers to be taking the scene lightly.

What have we got here then? He asked one of the forensic team.

The overweight, worn out looking man who was sweating profusely, gave a final exhalation of breath before speaking.

Get yourselves some shoe covers, gloves and overalls please chaps. Charlie here will sort you out.

Shoe covers? Nick mumbled to John. To keep the mud in I presume, just look at the state of me.

John said nothing as he took the overalls from Charlie and put them on, along with the gloves and shoe covers.

Well? What do we have then? John asked the overweight pathologist.

"A white male in his forties I should think, with two gunshot wounds to the head.

There are signs of a beating before the fatal injuries as well, but I’ll be able to tell you more when I’ve had a chance to examine the body properly. There was nothing in the pockets to identify him either, which will make things a little harder for us, but we’ll probably know more in a couple of days."

Do you have any idea how long he’s been here? John asked.

I should think at least three days from the look of him. But as I said, I’ll know more in a couple of days.

Details were exchanged between the two men, there was no more to be done at the scene for the two detectives.

They turned to walk back down the muddy track

Police photographers were taking shots of the tyre tracks in the mud, and forensic officers in overalls were searching the area looking for the smallest of details.

The two men arrived back at their car and stopped short of getting into it.

For fuck’s sake, just look at the state of us. Nick moaned again as he attempted to remove thick mud from his soles with a stick. Make sure you keep your feet on the rubber mat John, I don’t want to be cleaning it out at the weekend.

John was only half listening to his partner. His mind was on the corpse that he’d just seen laying in the mud. He’d remembered him as soon as he’d laid eyes on him despite the horrendous injuries to the head. Gerry Coleman had been arrested by John when he’d been a newly promoted Detective Constable some four years earlier. He’d remembered him because when he’d been with other CID officers at the house of Coleman as part of the search team, he’d been flirted with by the man’s wife.

Whilst searching the main bedroom he’d come across the wife’s vibrator which had been found under the bed. 

With his latex gloves on, he was required to open the end of it to search for incriminating evidence. Gerry Coleman had already been taken into custody, and Samantha, his wife, had insisted in being in her room as it was being searched. She’d made a personal comment about the size of the vibrator compared to what John may have had in his trousers. She made no attempt to hide the fact that she’d found him attractive. She’d unashamedly embarrassed him.

As a Police officer and still being relatively new to the job as a detective, not only did John get embarrassed by the attention at the time, but he still had a bit of innocence about him as a man.

He’d often thought about the woman, and had developed a fondness of the memory, and where it could have led to if he’d been a different kind of man at the time. He’d found her to be attractive.

Over the ensuing years he’d become a different person. He was now a man that was more likely to have taken advantage of such a situation. He’d been in many relationships since that time but had never married.

On the way back to the station, he’d had an obligation to inform his partner that he’d recognised the deceased man, but he’d kept his secret to himself. He hardly said a word as he thought deeply about the situation, weighing up his options.

He ignored Nick’s moaning about his new shoes having been ruined. The whole thing went in one ear and out of the other as he pondered upon his position. It still wasn’t too late to say something to his partner about having recognised the victim, or even the suspicion that it may have been him, but still he kept his mouth shut. Why? He didn’t really know. He wanted time to think.

You’re quiet, what are you thinking about? Nick asked.

John looked at his partner and smiled a weak smile. I’m tired mate, I had a rough night last night, I feel knackered; I need a good night’s sleep that’s all.

Nick laughed at John’s words. Oh the life of a single man is so hard isn’t it? Shagging all night and sleeping on duty all day.

John smiled at Nick. There was no shagging and I’m not asleep you arsehole. I’m just tired, just like you’ll be if I get all this mud over your carpet and you have to spend your hard- earned weekend cleaning it off.

They both grinned at each other.

Just keep your feet on the mat and I’ll wake you when we get back to the station.

That’s very nice of you. John said sarcastically as he closed his eyes and reclined his seat slightly.

He wasn’t sleeping though, he was thinking, reliving the time spent in Samantha Coleman’s bedroom while he was searching the place. He was becoming obsessed with the memory of it all. She’d had a way about her that he could still feel, even four years after the event.

He was very conscious of the fact that he was playing with fire, even by not having said anything to his partner about who the man was, let alone anything he may, or may not do next regarding the woman, but still he said nothing. He was wondering about what to do next, when Nick told him to sit up and to look awake.

They pulled into the station and parked up.

You may as well piss off home. Nick said. I don’t think you’ll be much use to me today. Anyway it’s Friday so we’re both off for the weekend. I’ll cover for you. Go and get your head down for a few hours.

Thanks Nick I will if you don’t mind. I’ll give you a bell later.

I wonder what the score is with her now? He thought to himself as he drove towards home.

I wonder if they were still together. He thought.

Without even realising what he was doing, he’d driven to Coleman’s road and had stopped just a short distance from the house. There was a nice new Bentley in the drive of the substantial property.

That house has got to be worth well over two million. He thought. The fucking car alone probably set him back eighty or ninety odd grand. I wonder what’s been going on since he got off with it last time.

He was sitting there thinking about the way that Coleman’s very smart and very expensive lawyer had torn their case to shreds in court. The prosecution team had not disclosed evidence that may have been of use to the defence. When it all came to light after the judge had been told by the prosecution, that the cupboard was bare of anymore evidence, and that the Police had in fact with- held evidence that may have helped the accused, the case was thrown out.

As he sat there re-living the case, Samantha Coleman came out of the house and got into the car.

Instinctively, John started his own car and followed her.

What the fuck am I doing? He asked himself aloud. This is fucking crazy. He was being driven by curiosity.

After about two miles, she pulled into a Supermarket and parked up.

He parked far enough away not to be seen by her.

She took her small trolley and entered the premises. He took a basket and followed at a safe distance.

He kept well back and marvelled at her trim figure as she shopped. She looked good in her cream coloured jacket and trouser set. She looked really good.

John was trying to convince himself that this was all to do with the case, but he knew differently deep down inside. Although he knew full well that he was playing with fire, he couldn’t help himself, he was becoming infatuated with the woman once again.

This is fucking stupid. He thought to himself. I’ve got to get out of here before I do something I’ll regret.

He picked up a few bits and pieces that he knew he needed at home, and made his way to the checkout. It was the busiest time of the week. He stood in the queue waiting anxiously to be served.

He’d made up his mind that he was going to get out of there and deal with the case as he should have done from the beginning.

He’d seen Samantha go into the self- service check out area, and so she was packed up and ready to leave even before he’d been dealt with himself. She’d stood out like a sore thumb in the expensive suit that she was wearing.

He finally paid for his goods and was ready to leave. He looked up into the mirrored ceiling, only to see her waiting there. She was standing to one side and was allowing other shoppers to pass her by.

She was standing exactly where he had to pass by to get out of the shop.

Now what? He thought to himself as he approached her. She couldn’t have recognised me after all this time surely.

Their eyes met. He couldn’t avoid it.

She gave the loveliest smile as he got to her.

Hello. She said. How nice to see you again. Do you remember me?

His heart was beating quickly and his mouth was dry.

Of course I remember you. How are you?

I’m well thanks, let’s talk outside shall we? She purred.

After you. He said gallantly.

She walked out in front of him, which gave him ample opportunity to watch her sexy moves.

Fuck me she’s gorgeous. He thought to himself. She must be loaded to be dressed like that; she stands out a mile from everyone else in here.

He was nervous, as he’d been before when he’d been searching her bedroom.

How are you? She asked with a beaming smile. You haven’t changed a bit.

I’m fine thanks. He answered feebly. How about you? You look well.

I AM well thanks. So what brings you here? I haven’t seen you here before. She asked.

I just needed a few bits and pieces and I was passing, so I popped in on my way home.

Samantha pouted like a little child. Oh! I was rather hoping that you may have followed me here.

He smiled at her, not knowing what she was getting at.

Was she flirting again? Or was she letting him know that he’d been rumbled.

No, just shopping, that’s all. He said nervously.

Again, she smiled, which told him nothing. She gave a doubting look, but carried on smiling.

Oh well. She said, as if disappointed at not having been followed. So tell me, what have you been doing? Are you still in the Police force?

Yes I’m still a Police officer. What about you? What’s happening in your life now?

She giggled like a schoolgirl. My word, am I being interrogated? She asked coyly. Or are you just pleased to see me? She asked flirtatiously.

John was aware that he’d blushed. His face had become warm and his heartrate had increased yet again. She was playing mind games.

Of course you’re not being interrogated, and yes, I AM pleased to see you, why wouldn’t I be?

She was overtly teasing him and he knew it.

Why don’t we stop off for a drink at my place? She asked. I take it you ARE off duty as you’re shopping for yourself?

A dozen or more things passed through his mind in the few seconds that followed.

What am I getting into?

Is she on her own now?

Am I compromising the case?

What the fuck is happening here?

That sounds like a good idea. He heard himself say, as if it had been said