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

and not the one that put the babies in the bog,” said Basham.

“Then who did? ” asked Godwin.

“Anthony Manno. It came to me that by nineteen forty-five due to the blitz over one million buildings were destroyed by German bombers in the London area alone. Manchester was also hit severely. Why then would a realtor holding a valuable piece of property that this once was allow it to rot away? At the same time Sybil Morgan told her solicitor that she had been taken to, and I quote, a stately home, The answer is what you uncovered buried in the backyard and found in the furnace. He didn't want to take any chances that anything would be found.”

“Then why did he say that he rented a rundown property to Elizabeth Garrick,” asked Godwin.

“ I believe that at one time there was an intimate relationship between him and Elizabeth. She was able eventually to control him. He helped her get rid of the baby bodies after she killed them. He also helped her kill Margaret Ainsworth, Elizabeth Garrick is eighty-five years old and dying of cancer. I can only assume that Manno expected her to die any day when he lied to your patrolman about the rental. At the same time he expected that she would be too ill to testify in court against him,” said Basham.

“What about the blue ribbon?”, asked Godwin.

“Once again we weren't too far off by assuming that the babies were strangled with the ribbon. I can't say for certain but I believe the blue ribbon was to be tied to the cribs of male babies and pink for female babies. Unfortunately, we never found traces of pink ribbon. The ribbon traces found on the throats of the bog bodies only indicates the ribbon was used as a strangulating device. This to me indicates that the two midwives were responsible for the death of the newborns, One killed using suffocation the other used the ribbon for strangulation. We might never know. I doubt that by the condition of the babies bodies a good pathologist would find it nearly impossible to say that strangulation was the cause of death settling instead for suffocation as the cause,” Basham explained.

“What was the relation between Manno and Elizabeth?”, asked Godwin.

“Theirs was an intimate relationship. Over a period of time, Elizabeth was able to control him. He was the one that buried the bodies in the bog and the backyard. He was also the one that killed Margaret Ainsworth,” said Alistair.

“Do you have evidence that he killed Ainsworth?”, asked Godwin.

“Yes circumstantial of course.” Turning to his wife he asked. “My dear, did you find a Hyoid bone in the remains of who we believe is Margaret Ainsworth?”

“I found a fragment of the Hyoid bone. The rest had been destroyed by force, time and environment, meaning being buried in the soil, “ said Joyce.

“Keep in mind that Margaret Ainsworth by seeing her skeletal remains was tall. Elizabeth Garrick is small, short to be exact. I doubt seriously that Miss Garrick tiny as she is could assault and strangle anyone. That leaves Anthony Manno,” said Basham.

“Or Charles Fields,” said Godwin.

“Possibly. Nonetheless, my place was to provide you with a portrait profile. I have. Not only have I supplied you with the profile but also have given you my theory on the case.

You now Inspector must proceed further without me. I suggest you question Elizabeth Garrick and soon before she dies and takes many answers with her. I for one believe she will be co-operative. However, I don't see her implicating her brother. That's up to you and the prosecutor to decide Charlie's role in the case. Now, if I may I'd like someone to drive me and my wife back to the Inn.

"One more thing. Who belongs to the remains we found in the fireplace and furnace," asked the Inspector.

 "We probably may never know who that unfortunate woman was. Perhaps you will learn who she is as you continue your investigation," said Basham

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterword

 

As previously mention “The Case Of The Bog Bodies” is a work of fiction. Yet, there are many cases on infanticide reported time and time again. Should the reader take the position that such things could or would never happen where more than one or two infant murders might take place I refer you to the following:

Miyoki Ishikawa a midwife in Japan is reported to have killed 103 infants.

Dagmar Overby a midwife in Norway between the years 1916-20 killed between 29 and 108 infants.

 

 

Robert F. Clifton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imprint

Publication Date: 10-21-2017

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