The Case Of The Bog Bodies, Robert F. Clifton [best novels of all time txt] 📗

us. Don't

think that this is the last time we'll meet. We'll be back and when we do I guarantee that we will refresh your memory.”

After thanking Bertha Hicks both men left and entered the automobile. “Well. Nothing ventured, as they say. I'll get you back to Hesterton and you can motor home” said Godwin.

“While we're here in Manchester let's go to Ashton's.

There's something I want to discuss with their management,” said Basham.

“ What”s that? ” asked Godwin.

“Charles Field's employment record.

Arriving at Ashton's Inspector Godwin asked to see the store manager. The two men waited for about ten minutes before a tall, thin man wearing a black suit, white shirt and blue bow tie came forward where Basham and the Inspector stood.

“Gentlemen, I was told that you wanted to see me. Is there a problem?”, asked the manager.

“No, sir. I am Inspector Godwin of the Heasterton Police. Currently, we are involved in an investigation, one of which one of your former employees might be of help. However,

for the record, we need to know the background of the individual. This then requires me to investigate hi,s history as well as his work record and employment file,” said Godwin showing his credentials.

“I see. Can you give me the employees name and when he was employed?”, asked the manager.

“Certainly, Charles Henry Fields. All I know is that he was employed here during the war. So, let's say 1940-45,” said Godwin.

“This might take a while gentlemen,” said the manager.

“We can wait,” said Basham.

Twenty minutes later the manager appeared. “Gentlemen I suggest we retire to my private office. We can speak freely there,” said the man.

“Jolly good,” said Godwin. He and Basham then followed the manager to his office. Once inside they took seats in

comfortable stuffed upholstered chairs.

“Now then, allow me to introduce myself. I am Archibald Blake. I am the current manager of Ashton's and have been for the past ten years. Although I find your request for past employees records somewhat concerning I will, however, allow you to view Mr. Fields file. At the same time, you may take notes from anything that you observe. I hope that meets your needs.”

“You are aware sir that I can get a court order which will require you to turn over these records,” said Godwin.

“Yes, I am. Just as you are aware that I would then turn this matter over to our solicitor,” Blake responded.

“Let's not get too hasty gentlemen. I for one see that viewing Mr. Fields records under the conditions set forth by you, Mr. Blake is satisfactory. I'm sure you agree with me. Don't you Inspector? ” said Basham in a tone of voice that requested co-operation.

Taking the hint Godwin replied, “Certainly”.

“Smashing. Now I'll give you the file Inspector,” said Blake.

“One moment, please. We know that Charles Field was employed here during the war. Why wasn't he in the service of the King?”, asked Basham.

“I've been told that the chap had one leg shorter than the other,” Blake replied.

“Oh, I see,” Basham replied.

Alistair sat quietly as Godwin would read one page of the file then pass it to him. Basham then would read the page then stack it with each one creating a neat pile on his knee. Occasionally, Godwin would jot down notes in his small notepad. Basham relied on memory. Finally, Godwin was finished.

“I believe I have what I wanted. Thank you for your co-operation,” said Godwin.

“My pleasure,” said Blake.

Alistair stood and handed the papers to the manager. “Thank you, sir. We appreciate your help,” he said.

All three men shook hands and Godwin and Basham left.

On the drive back to Hesterton Godwin said, “Well

we didn't get much from the visit to Fields. At the same time, I only got very little information from Ashton's.'

“Really? Did you pay attention to the place of birth? Past residents? Education and schools attended ?,” asked Baham.

“No, not really,” said Godwin.

“A pity.”

“Why is it a pity?”

“Because that little piece of information gives you a lead in your investigation,” said Basham.

“A lead?”

“Oh, quite old boy. You see, Charles Fields was born and raised in Derbyshire, Derby”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Nine

Derbyshire

 

Alistair sat at his desk. Before him was a black leather bound, address book. In his right hand was a telephone receiver that was pressed to his right ear. “Thank you, David. I'll wait to hear from you,” he said then he hung up the telephone.

“You've been on the phone all morning. Who are you calling?” asked Joyce.

“Several of my previous students. In particular those in Derbyshire and Derby,” Alistair answered.

“I imagine that it must have something to do with the bog bodies in Hesterton,” said Joyce.

“That it does. I'm beginning to think that the solution to Alfred Godwin's cold homicide case is in Derbyshire. Since I have taught many young people who went into law enforcement I feel that in this case, it is necessary to call on them.”

“Call on them for what?”, asked Joyce

“Information of course. For instance, in my research, I learned that a Margaret Ainsworth a midwife was from Derby in Derbyshire. Later I learned that Charles Fields, a man who could tell us where he shipped silk blue ribbon under questioning more or less ordered us out of his room. Then by checking the bloke's employment record, we find that he was from Derby in Derbyshire. So, my love, at present I'm asking

those that I know for information trying to determine if Fields and Ainsworth know each other and if so, how?”

“Do you really expect to solve this case?”, asked his wife.

“It's not my place to solve. My position is to provide Inspector Godwin a profile of a suspect or suspects. It is his job to solve the crime. Not mine.”

“And how close are you to producing the profile, may I ask?”

“Close love. Very close.”

Three days later while Alistair and Joyce sat at their kitchen table having tea and biscuits the telephone on the wall rang. Joyce lifted the receiver and answered, with a "Hello? Just a minute. It's for you, Alistair."

Basham got up from the table and walked to where Joyce sat holding the receiver. Taking it from her he said, "This is Alistair Basham."

"Doctor, this is David Eastbrook."

" Ah, David, nice of you to call. Have you learned anything?"

"I believe so. Elizabeth Garrick was born in Derby on October 7, 1874, as Elizabeth Fields. She married Edgar Garrick on April 14, 1891. It appears that Edgar was killed in action in either Belgium or France in 1915. Elizabeth never remarried.

She did take up with several chaps they say. One in particular during the war in the forties, However, right now we don't know who he is or was. She next appears in records as being certified as a midwife in 1923. As a midwife, she made fifty ponds that year. She more or less disappears until 1929. at the time she is suspected of doing abortions. An investigative case was opened by the Derbyshire Constabulary, however, known and suspected victims refused to co-operate or testify in court.

In the year 1930, she went into a partnership with Margaret Ainsworth, then a highly requested mid-wife. The partnership once again was suspected of doing abortions with the same results. The two women then left Derby in 1939 and according to you moved to Hesterton."

"The move in 1939 goes along with my thought that they anticipated many pregnancies during wartime," said Alistair.

"That and the fact that the police were closing in on them," Eastbrook added.

"Of course. Of course. Well, thank you, David. You have been very helpful."

"You're welcome, sir. don't hesitate to call if you need anything else."

"Well. since you have mentioned it, would it be asking too much for you to do a background on one Charles Henry Fields of Derby?"

"No problem, give me a few days," said David.

"Thank you. Goodby," said Basham.

Alistair left the kitchen and went immediately to his study.

Once there he sat at his desk and opened the file he had made. He then wrote notes in relation to his telephone conversation with David Eastbrook. When he was finished he closed the file then reached for the telephone on his desk. He then dialed the number for the Hesterton Police. When the dispatcher answered his call Alistair asked for Inspector Godwin.

“This is Inspector Godwin,” said the investigator.

“Alistair Basham here.”

“Hello Doctor, what can I do for you? ” asked Godwin.

“I hope you can tell me that you have found the Ainsworth House.”

“Sorry, not yet. I do have the lads out knocking on doors. So far there are no answers.”

“I see. Well, the reason I'm calling is that I have had some success retrieving information from Derbyshire,” said Basham.

“Really?”

“Oh yes. It seems that Margaret Ainsworth and Elizabeth Garrick were both originally from Derby. The interesting thing is the Elizabeth was born, Elizabeth Fields.”

“Is she related to Charles Field?” asked Godwin.

“I suspect that she is however until I have positive information that question is yet to be answered.”

"Very well. please keep me up to date. Meanwhile, I'll try to do the same for you," said Godwin.

"Jolly good. Goodby."

One week later Alistair stood at his kitchen window watching a constant, cold, autumn rain flooding his backyard and garden. “Blasted rain. The vegetable garden is under water.

The beets, carrots, and rutabagas are rotting in the ground as I speak. I don't know why I even try. When one adds up the amount of money spent on seeds, plants, fertilizer, tools, and labor I can do much better buying vegetables at the market.”

“Then why do you do it?”, asked Joyce.

“Out of habit really. During the war, the government asked us to grow some of our own food. I grew vegetables to offset having to eat SPAM constantly.”

“I thought that you enjoyed your gardens,” said Joyce.

“ Well, my roses didn't produce the blooms I was expecting. They needed horse manure and I didn't go get it. My fault I agree.”

“Well speaking of food if we intend to eat I must get to the market. What will you be doing the rest of this rain-soaked day?”, asked Joyce.

“I shall be in my study, in my favorite chair and respond to the challenge of the London Times crossword puzzle,” said Alistair.

Forty minutes later the telephone on the desk began to ring. “Blast! Can't a man have some peace in his own home?”, he said getting up out of his chair. Picking up the receiver and speaking into it he said, “HELLO!”

“David Eastbrook here Doctor. How are you?”

“Ah, David. I wasn't expecting you to call.”

“Well I have the information you requested on Charles

Henry Fields.”

“Really? Excellent. Wait a bit while I get out pen and paper. Alright, let me hear what you have,” said Basham.

“Charles Henry Fields was born in Derby on November

14, 1878 to Archibald and Myrtle Fields. His father was a Dustman, his mother a housewife. He also had an older sister, Elizabeth. He was born with one leg shorter than the other. This kept him out of the Great War in 1914. It is speculated that Charles worked at odd jobs until he went to work as the chauffeur for his sister and Margaret Ainsworth. When we say chauffeur we mean that it's thought that he drove customers to and from the mid-wife surgery. Of course, here it is believed that the surgery was performing abortions. We believe that something happened that caused him to leave Derby and move to Manchester. It is possible that he believed the police were closing in on the two women. That's all we have at the moment.”

“Excellent my boy. We have him in Manchester. In fact , we've viewed his employment record,” said Basham.

“Alright then. If you need anything else let me know.”

“I will David and thank you.”

“You are welcome, sir. Goodby.”

Alistair immediately called Inspector Godwin. “Alfred

I've got news. As I expected Charles Henry fields is the brother of Elizabeth Garrick. The police in the Derbyshire Constabulary have suspected him for years as the bloke that transported young women and girls to Garrick and Ainsworth where they received abortions. It seems, at