Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of We Solve Murders takes readers on an intense journey as Steve drives toward Hollands Wood Campsite, a place that should be peaceful and serene but only increases his anxiety. Located just past Brockenhurst and adjacent to the Balmer Lawn Hotel, the campsite is filled with families enjoying the sun, kids running around playing football, and couples casually biking through the landscape. The contrast between the tranquil surroundings and Steve’s rising panic is palpable. As he makes his way through this idyllic scene, Steve’s thoughts are consumed by his upcoming meeting with Jeff Nolan. Even though Amy reassured him that everything was fine, he couldn’t help but worry. The tension between his hope and fear becomes more pronounced as he thinks about the meeting’s purpose—what could it bring to light? He dreads what lies ahead but also knows that it’s necessary to face whatever comes.

As Steve drives deeper into the campsite, the atmosphere becomes even more unnerving. The areas surrounding the pitches start to look more isolated and exclusive, with many vacant spots despite it being a busy summer day. The secluded nature of these sections suggests that they’re reserved for those seeking privacy, further heightening Steve’s suspicion. It’s hard for him to ignore the stark contrast between the peacefulness of the campsite and his own troubled thoughts. As he passes, he notices an elderly couple sitting under a caravan, calmly enjoying a quiet moment. Their serenity stirs something in Steve, and he can’t help but think about his late wife, Debbie. His heart aches with regret as he reflects on the life he lost, but he quickly shakes off the sadness, realizing that clinging to past grievances won’t help him solve the current situation at hand.

Finally reaching Pitch 38, Steve feels his heart rate increase as he draws closer to where Jeff is supposedly waiting. Despite being assured of the location, the strange request for privacy weighs heavily on Steve’s mind. Something feels off, and as he pulls up to Pitch 46, his worst fears come to life. The black BMW that Jeff had been driving is there, its doors open. The sight of the vehicle is unsettling—its driver’s window is shattered, and a pool of fresh blood stains the seat. Steve’s pulse quickens as his mind races through the possibilities. There’s no sign of Jeff, and the scene before him indicates something terrible has happened. As he cautiously approaches, the blood on the seat signals that this isn’t just a simple mishap—there’s something much darker at play. The lack of Jeff’s presence and the ominous clues around him make Steve realize that this is a dangerous situation far beyond what he anticipated.

With a sense of growing urgency, Steve follows the blood trail through the gorse bushes, only to uncover more blood and tire tracks. The tire tracks suggest the vehicle that left the scene was a Volvo XC90, a piece of evidence that could be crucial in figuring out what happened. The possibility of a kidnapping or murder runs through his mind, and Steve can’t shake the fear that Jeff might be in grave danger. His instincts tell him to call the authorities, but his connection to Jeff, especially through Amy, prevents him from walking away. Steve knows he can’t abandon this investigation, even though his rational mind tells him to let the professionals handle it. His concern for Amy’s safety intensifies, especially since she has not reached out to him, and he can’t help but wonder why. The silence from her end sends a chilling message that something much larger is at play, and the stakes are higher than ever before. Steve knows that whatever happened to Jeff, it’s only the beginning of a much darker conspiracy—one that may now involve Amy and the lives of everyone involved.