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

least the police believe that Charlie got cold feet when he thought the police were moving in on the operation. He then pulled up and made for Manchester City.”

“I see,” Godwin replied.

“Think about it. The three of them were born and raised in Derby. Charlies moves to Manchester City. The two women move to Hesterton. Hesterton is midway between Derbyshire and Manchester. This keeps the women with one foot in each area.”

“Interesting. I also have news,” said Godwin.

“And?”

“We found what we believe is the so-called Ainsworth House.”

“Really?”

“Oh yes. One of the lads came in contact with a chap by the name of Anthony Manno. Seems` that during the war he worked as a realtor. At any rate, he remembers renting a property to an Elizabeth Garrick in 1941. The reason he recalls the rental is that the property was in a rundown condition, needed repairs and was located far out from Hesterton proper. So when he took Elizabeth Garrick to see the property she more or less jumped at the opportunity to rent the place.”

“Interesting. Very Interesting. Was there any mention of Margaret Ainsworth?”, Basham asked.

“No, not that I know of so far,” Godwin replied.

“I see. Well, what do you plan to do next? ” asked Alistair.

“Right now I'm waiting for the court to issue a search warrant for the so-called, Ainsworth House. When that's granted naturally we will enter the premises and see what we can find,” said Godwin.

“I shall like to go along if possible,” Basham responded.

“I thought you might. Why don't you drive up and say, sometime tomorrow morning we'll enter and look the place over of course with the permission of the Queens court.”

“Splendid. I shall leave first thing morning,” said Alistair.

“See you then Doctor. Cheerio.”

When Alistair hung up the telephone receiver Joyce said, “Did I hear you say you were driving to Hesterton tomorrow morning?”

“Yes, to meet with Godwin.”

“I shall be going with you,” Joyce replied.

“Why?”

“Alan had asked me to inquire about a bill submitted to the university in relation to the snacks supposedly purchased by the students at the time of the dig.”

“I see. Well, since you will be at the Bridgeport Inn I suggest that you book us a room for say, two nights. I have a feeling that I might have to stay a bit longer than just a day,” said Basham.

“In that case, I might go back to the bog,” Joyce replied.

“Jolly good, that means you will be taking your working togs along.”

“Why is that so important to you? ” she asked.

“I have a feeling that I might need your expertise.”

“You know how I feel about getting involved in your criminal cases. Each time I do I'm the one that appears in court and has to testify for the Crown.”

“And I know that the university will enjoy the publicity it will receive in the newspapers of how one of their faculty helped solve a cold case murder. I also know that you will include your involvement in this matter into your next lesson plan on how paleontology helped solve the case.,” said Basham.

 

 

 

Chapter Ten

Ainsworth House

 

As Alistair drove his Bentley into Hesterton he turned to his wife and said, “ I'll go directly to the police station. You can then take the car and drive to the Inn. I have no idea of what we might find so I suggest that you keep your mobile on in case I need to call you.”

When Basham arrived at the Hesterton Police Headquarters he stopped the automobile got out and waited for Joyce to get into the driver's seat. After she did he waved good-bye as she drove off heading for the Bridgeport Inn.

Entering the building Alistair was greeted by the Desk

Sergeant who said, “Go right on in Professor. The Inspector is waiting for you”.

“Thank you,” Basham replied and walked a short distance down a well-lit hallway. Walking into Godwin's office he found the man reading papers. Godwin looked up and said, “Ah, Doctor. I must say that you are very prompt. I'm just going over the search warrant making sure that it is in order. Since it is and you are here we can be on out way. I just have to send two uniformed officers ahead of us.”

“Have you been out to the place?”, Basham asked.

“No. I did send a uniformed officer out there to secure the property at the same time that I applied for the warrant,” Godwin explained.

“Excellent,” said Alistair as the two men walked out of the building and to the unmarked BMW. When Godwin drove out of the parking lot he followed the two marked police cars. Soon they left the paved streets of Hesterton and entered a dirt road the led out of town. “ Is this Viceroy Road? ” asked Basham.

“Actually yes. The house we are going to is out in the bush, We still have a way to go yet,” Godwin answered.

“Notice how convenient the location of the place is for conducting mid-wiving for those who want their situation kept secret,” said Alistair.

“I agree,” Godwin replied.

Soon the Inspector turned into what used to be a driveway. He parked the BMW behind the two marked police cars and said. “This is it. This is supposedly Ainsworth House.”

Basham sat looking at a dilapidated, weather-beaten building. It was a large, two-story house. The windows on the second floor were broken. As were two of the front windows on th first floor. The front porch had settled to one side due to the rotting foundation. The front and side yards were covered with tall, brown weeds and sticker grass.

Both men left the BMW and stood for a moment gazing upon the old weathered building. Then they begin following the two uniformed officers toward the house. As they did sticker grass burrs adhered to their trouser legs. Reaching the front of the place Godwin placed one foot on the rotting first step to the porch and tested it to see if it would hold his weight. Satisfied that it would he then did the same for the next three steps taking one at a time until he stood on the leaning front porch. Alistair

and the two uniformed officers followed. One patrolman carried

a crowbar. When all of them stood on the porch Inspector Godwin ordered that the wood covering the front door be removed. The patrolman using the crowbar pried the boards away and using it again forced the door open, As is gave away the hinges gave a moaning sound not having been used for approximately fifteen years.

With the door, open Godwin stepped inside and using a hand torch illuminated what use to be the parlor. Basham stood

looking at the room now illuminated by both daylight entering from the front portal and Godwin's torch. He saw dust, cobwebs, and bird droppings on the wood planked floor as birds evidently few in an out of the broken windows. At the same time, he saw a winding staircase and what use to be a wall to wall rug covering once maroon in color, now brown stained with growing mold. Looking up at the vaulted ceiling he saw the cut glass chandelier hanging with dust and dirt, He then made his way to a white marble fireplace. Bending over he looked into the hearth. First, he saw a pile of old, cold ashes. Then, something caught his eye. It appeared to be a bone. “Is it human or animal? ”he asked himself mentally. “I say, Inspector. I suggest that you have a look at this,” said Basham.

Godwin walked to the fireplace and like Basham bent over and using his torch looked into the hearth. “Blimey! Is that what I think it is?,” said the Inspector.

“If you think that it might be a human bone then it's what you think it is,” Alistair replied.

“Can we be sure?” asked Godwin.

“I'm a criminologist, not a pathologist. To be sure I suggest you do two things,” said Basham.

“And? ” asked Godwin.

“First, have your photographer come out here and take photos. Second, allow me to call my wife. Have her come out here and as a paleoanthropologist let her use her expertise in identifying any and all such evidence we might find. Meanwhile, lets check the furnace in the cellar. suggested Basham.

“I'll call headquarters. You call your wife,” Godwin replied.

Joyce answered her ringing mobile telephone. “Yes what is it Alistair? ” she asked.

“How did you know it was me?”

“Because you said you might need to get in touch with me, so I've been expecting your call.”

“Well Love, I do need you to examine a bone we found,” said Alistair.

“What makes you believe that I can give you the information you need?”

“Come now. Aren't you the one who found the remains of Neanderthal in Israel? Aren't you the one that found the Viking Runestone in Scotland? Surely you can tell if a bone is human or animal.”

“Very well. Give me time to change my clothes.”

“That's a girl. The police will be there to get you. See you when you get here,” said Basham.

Turning to Godwin Alistair said, “ Well that's taken care of. I assume you called for the photographer. Now, I suggest that we take a look in the cellar.”

Godwin led the way down the cellar steps using his torch, lighting the way. Basham followed. When they reached the floor Godwin moved the flashlight slowly scanning the interior of the large room. “Oh, I say. There's what used to be a wine cellar, said the Inspector.

“Quite right old boy. However, by the looks of it it's been empty for some time. Let's take a look at the furnace,” Basham replied. Both men walked to the furnace. Alistair opened the heavy steel door and Godwin shined the light inside. Basham leaned over and looked inside. “Hello. It appears we might have more of the same old boy. Better have photos taken here as well,” he said.

“What do you see? ” asked Godwin.

“ What appear to be bones, small mind you but still, bones,” Alistair answered.

“ What's next? ” asked the inspector.

“I suggest that we take a look at the rest of the house and the backyard,” Basham replied.

The two men then climbed the cellar steps and entering the kitchen once more opened the back door and stepped out onto the rear porch. They then looked at the tall weeds that covered most of the grounds both back and side yards. Basham stood for several minutes looking, gazing, deep in thought then he spoke. “I suggest that you hire someone to mow down these bloody weeds,” he said.

“What on earth for? ” asked Godwin.

“I believe that once they are removed workers will be able to dig. When they dig they might find a body or two,” Basham explained.

“You believe that there are bodies buried here?”

“Oh yes, old boy. Mind you I can't be certain but if you were to look out onto the yard you will see undulations in the top of the soil line. Notice that one growth of weeds is lower than the others, here and there,” said Alistair pointing to places in the yard.

“And you think those two places are grave sites?” Godwin asked.

“Indeed. When the soil is disturbed, say dug deep as

a grave then filled again undulations occur and remain for some time. May I also suggest that you find someone or some agency that's in possession of a GPR.”

“What is a GPR?”. Asked the Inspector.

“ Ground Penetrating Radar. It was first invented in 1910 by Gotthelf Leirbach. It was also improved upon by Doctor

Hulsenbeck in 1926. If there is anything under the soil here the GPR should be able to detect and find it,” Basham explained.

The two men turned at the sound of automobile doors slamming shutout in front of the house. “That might be the wife.

If so we might get more answers,” said Alistair.

“Not quite Doctor. It appears they are the lads from

the forensic unit. Here to take the photographs,” Godwin mentioned.

“Ah, yes. Jolly good.