DARK CRIMES a gripping detective thriller full of suspense Read Online Free PDF

everything, but she was a bit different to the rest of us on the bar staff.’
    ‘In what way?’
    ‘Well, she was cleverer. She knew a lot. And she kind of took control, a bit like you or Mrs Burrows. I never asked about the face-marks again.'
    ‘And was this before or after she started seeing Vilis?’
    ‘Oh, well before that. I’ve told you, he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Lots of these guys from Eastern Europe really try it on with us, but he didn’t. He’s nice. I tried to get off with him once, but he wasn’t interested. He’s always kept himself to himself. Sends a lot of his money home to his family. But he fell for Donna big time. She’s got class, and he saw that. And she’s really pretty.’
    Maria had brightened up as she was telling her story, but as she finished she started crying again. Maybe she realised that she’d switched to the present tense, thought Sophie.
    ‘I think that’s all for now, Maria. You’ve been very helpful. We’ll need a statement from you. One of my officers will take that later. Meanwhile if anything else occurs to you that could help us in any way, then find me or someone else from my squad. Here’s my card. It has my personal contact numbers if you need them.’
    Maria left, still sobbing. Sophie called the station and asked for a trace on the mother’s address in Corfe. It came back as Cornerstone Cottage in West Street.
    When she’d finished her call, she opened the door to a young man dressed in kitchen whites who looked nervous. His face was bony and pale-featured, with eyes of a washed-out blue.
    ‘Come in. You are a friend of Vilis’s?’
    He nodded. His facial expression gave nothing away.
    ‘What is your name?’
    ‘Georgs Vitols. I too am a trainee chef.’
    Are you from Latvia as well, Georgs?’
    ‘Yes, we came across together.’
    ‘It appears that he has gone missing. Do you know why?’
    ‘No. But Vilis wouldn’t be involved in any crime. He is very good man. He has no violence in him.’ Georgs spoke with a pronounced Eastern European accent.
    ‘But why has he disappeared, Georgs?’
    ‘I cannot say. He went out after breakfast for a walk. He buys a newspaper sometimes. He says it will improve his English. He did not come back.’
    Does he have a mobile phone?’
    Georgs shrugged.
    ‘You’ve tried phoning him? No answer?’
    This time there was a single nod.
    ‘What was he wearing?’
    ‘Blue clothes. He wears blue a lot. It is the colour of his favourite football team at home.’
    ‘How old is he? About your age?’
    The young man shook his head as if he didn’t know.
    ‘Where might he go, Georgs? Does he have a favourite spot? Maybe where he goes with Donna?’
    He shrugged.
    ‘Georgs, if I don’t get your cooperation, you may find that your time here will soon be over. I think you do know where he could be. A word from me in the right ears, and you could be on an early flight back to Latvia. Now I’ll ask again, where does he go on his walks?’
    The answer was sullen. ‘Sometimes just along the front. But they sometimes walk to the point.’
    ‘And exactly how old is he?’ asked Sophie.
    ‘Twenty.’
    ‘Right, thank you. You can go now, but you’ll be interviewed fully by another officer later. And I’ll expect you to be more helpful then. Stay in the building, please, and give me your mobile phone.’
    ‘You can’t do that.’
    ‘This is a murder enquiry. Your phone has his contact number, and I don’t want him warned. Hand it over or I’ll arrest you for obstructing us in our inquiries.’
    Vitols did as he was asked and left the room.
    Sophie met Melsom in the foyer. A uniformed man was now stationed outside Berzins’ room in the staff block at the rear of the hotel.
    ‘When Barry arrives I want the two of you to start taking statements from the staff, Jimmy. He should be here soon. Did you get a description of Berzins from the chef?’
    ‘Yes, ma’am. He’s about five foot nine with short, dark hair. Clean-shaven.