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

is the similarities. Each, lets call them specimens. Each specimen appeared to have died a violent death.

And each had a lack of clothing. Some archeologists believe these men were killed and placed in the bogs as part of either a cultural tradition of human sacrifice or they were executed criminals.

“ Ah, yes. Yet, you my dear have discovered what you believe are the preserved bodies of newborn babies. You must admit that there is a difference,” Bashman suggested.

“You have a point dear but it's immaterial. Let me explain.

A body was found in a peat bog in northern Germany. At first the police thought that the body was that of a murder victim.

Scientific examination revealed that the body, a bog body was that of a girl believed to have been between sixteen or twenty years old. It was estimated that she had died two thousand seven hundred years ago. So that means that all species of humans have had their bodies placed in the bogs. This includes

girls, woman, men and now babies. The difference is that our findings indicate that the bodies are modern,” said Joyce.

“How modern?”

“At least, twentieth century.”

“I see. Interesting. Very interesting,” said Basham.

“Isn't it.”

“Where are these bodies right now?”, asked Alistair.

“Probably in the city morgue. As mentioned we gave what we found to the local police. Once they determine one way or another if indeed a crime has been committed then they have control of the specimens. If not then we shall have them returned and conduct further examinations on them.”

“Were photographs taken?.” asked Basham.

“Yes. The film is now at the local photographers shop,” Joyce answered.

“I shall want to view them of course.”

“Naturally. It is one of the reasons I asked you to come up here.”

“Any other reasons?”

“Truthfully? I missed you.”

****************

The next day Alistair walked to the Hesterton Police Station. When he entered he was met by the Desk Sergeant,

Ellsworth Dabney. “Good morning sir. May I be of service?”, asked the Sergeant.

“Yes you may. My name is Alistair Basham. My wife is one of the archeologists working a scientific dig at Rose Moss Bog.

I believe she was the one that discovered two bodies those being what is thought to be newborn babies. I would like to know where there bodies are at present.”

“I see. Are you an archeologist sir?”, asked the Sergeant.

“No. I'm a criminologist.”

“ If a crime has been committed no one has informed us with that information.”

“If nothing else failing to disclose the death of an infant is a crime my good man. Now then, the bodies where are they?”

“It is my understanding that they are now in the possession of the Bolton Central Police Station,” said the Sergeant.

“Why there?”

“We don't have the facilities here in Hesterton. There they have access to a pathologist, laboratory and technicians.”

“Fine. Do you have an address?”

“Yes sir. The station is located on Scholey Street in Bolton.”

“Thank you Sergeant.”

Later Basham sat in his room reading a newspaper. He looked up as the hotel room door opened and in walked Joyce.

“Finished for the day Pet?”, he asked.

“Yes. The police came to the bog and interrupted our work.

They asked question after question and took photographs of the bog and the location where I found the bodies.”

“It is possible that their appearance is a result of my conversation with the local desk Sergeant on duty today,” Basham advised.

“What did you say? I hope you didn't say or do anything that will force the locals to close down the dig Alistair.”

“The bloke inferred that no crime had taken place. I merely advised him of the law, that's all.”

“Well, they did more investigating today then they had done before. Please don't do or say thing that will jeopardize our work here,” said Joyce.

“I wouldn't think of doing such a thing. Not my fault the man has a thin skin,” Basham replied.

“ Anyway, we return to work in the morning,” said Joyce

“And I shall try hard to find something to do. As a matter of fact I'm thinking of going home. Nothing for me to do here. At least at home I have my books and my garden.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Now where shall we dine tonight?”, he asked.

At ten thirty AM the next morning Alistair answered his ringing mobile. “Hello,” he said.

“Alistair? Come quick. We have found three more bodies of babies,” said an excited Joyce.

“I say. Really? I'm on my way. Have you notified the police?”

“Not yet.”

“Don't until I get there,” he instructed.

Twenty minutes later Alistair Baham gazed upon the orange-brown colored preserved bodies of three infants that appeared to have been newborns. “Were the other bodies the same color as these?,” he asked his wife.

“Yes. The color of the skin is probably caused by the acid in the peat.”

“Turning to Alan Shaffer Basham said, “I'm afraid this time they will shut you down old boy. Your dig site just turned into a crime scene.”

“Why?.” asked Shaffer.

“If you look closely at the bodies you will notice strands of what is left of a blue ribbon on their throats. The ribbon was more then likely used to strangle the babies soon after they were born. Whoever killed them then placed the bodies here in the bog,” Basham explained.

After the local police were notified two uniformed officers and one investigator arrived. Alistair informed the investigator

about the blue ribbon strand on the throats of the infant bodies.

“Now I do not wish to be dogmatic my good man but this time I am sure that you will agree that a crime has indeed been committed,” said Basham.

“I agree,” said the investigator.

“And you are?”, asked Alistair.

“ Inspector Godwin. Alfred Godwin.”

“Alistair Basham. Doctor Alistair Basham, Criminologist.

I am staying at the Bridgeport Inn. Should you need my services don't hesitate to call me. There is no charge. Nonetheless, I would suggest that after you have photographed the area and listed witnesses allow the dig to continue. You see as you know two other bodies have been found previously. Now today three more have been found. The question is how many more are here? Of course this is only a suggestion sir,” said Basham.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Three

Seven

 

Alistair Basham sat quietly using a magnifying glass to study the eight by ten inch black and white photographs taken of the first two bodies found in the bog. “Do you notice anything dear?”, asked Joyce.

“No. I was looking for signs of either traces of the blue ribbon or indentations in the throats of the infants which would reveal that strangulation was the cause of death. There being neither it raises the possibility that in the first two cadavers found, suffocation rather then strangulation was the cause of death. With a newborn it would be easy simply by placing a hand over the nose and mouth.”

“But the other bodies had the ribbon around the throat,” said Joyce.

“True. This indicated to me that more than one person is responsible for the deaths of the children. One used suffocation.

The other used strangulation as a means to kill.”

“Now what?,” asked Joyce.

“Now I need a time when these deaths took place. Have you or Alan done any carbon dating?”, asked Basham.

“Not as yet,” said Joyce.

“Please do so. Once I have the time of death I have a starting point.”

******************

Basham sat in the hotel lobby reading the Morning Mail newspaper. He was interrupted when he heard a male voice speak his name. “Doctor Basham?”

Alistair looked up over the top of the newspaper and seeing Alfred Godwin replied, “Ah Inspector. I was expecting you. Please have a seat. What can I do for you sir?”

“I'm here about the baby bog bodies. You see, Hesterton is a quiet little hamlet. There is little or no crime to speak of here. True, we might have a fight between two drunks on a Saturday night or someone steals a bicycle but never a crime such as a homicide. Truthfully, I need your help sir. I have inquired into your background and credentials and found that you are the noted criminologist and professor at University.”

“Noted you say? The only time I recall being noted is when my wife gives me one to go to the grocery store. Now then, suppose you tell me what you have done so far in your investigation,” said Basham.

“Well, I ordered photographs to be taken of the bodies, the area of the bog where they were discovered. I also took the names of those working the university dig at the bog. Right now I need to know if I should treat Rose Bog as a crime scene or an archeological site,” said the Inspector.

“I recall suggesting to you to allow the dig to go on for a spell. Have you done that?”, asked Alistair.

“ Yes sir.”

“Good and since my wife hasn't called me about finding anything new, then we can assume hopefully of course, that there aren't anymore bog bodies. You do have one of your officers at the bog I hope,” said Basham.

“Yes I do.”

“Excellent. Now then, to answer your question. Report Rose Bog as a crime scene. The reason of course is that at present all indications are that one body is of the twentieth century. However, at the same time include in your report that

you allowed the university archeological team to further dig and examine the bog looking for more bodies and or evidence that would assist you in your investigation. How's that for a solution to that problem?”

“Rather good I'd say,” said Godwin.

“Jolly good. Now, at the same time keep in mind that at present there is only one bog body that is closely linked to the twentieth century. That being the case it is possible that this one body is the result of one definite case of infanticide. At the same time we now have other bog bodies of infants. Right now we need to know if they too are the remains of newborns born in the twentieth century or the results of human sacrifices or epidemic

disease that occurred centuries ago. My wife and the archeology

team from university are waiting for carbon dating results as we speak. Once we have that information we will have a place to begin our, I should say your investigation.

“That's very nice of you sir. Would you mind telling me what you think of this case so far?”, asked Godwin.

“At present there's not too much to tell. The latest bodies found had traces or I should say threads of blue ribbon on their throats. This indicated to me that the ribbon was used to strangle the infants. Nonetheless, one body did not. To me it is possible that particular baby was suffocated,probably with a hand over it's face..”

“Blimey! Who could do such a thing?”, asked the Inspector.

“That's what we will try to find out old boy,” said Alistair.

****************

Three days later at eleven o'clock in the morning Alistiar Basham sat alone at a table in the hotel coffee shop. He sat quietly sipping from a cup of strong brewed tea while reading a newspaper. He placed the cup and paper on the table in order to answer his ringing mobile telephone. “Hello?” he said.

“Darling it's me. We just got the results from the carbon dating. I thought you might like to know what they are,” said Joyce.

“Oh rather,” Basham replied.

“It appears that the examination of the peat that surrounded the bog bodies shows that the cadavers were placed there between nineteen forty and nineteen forty five,” said Joyce.

“Really? Excellent. Now we have a starting point. I must inform Inspector Godwin.”

“Wait dear. I have other news.”

“And?”

“We found two more infant bodies.”

“Oh, no.”

“Yes, I'm afraid so. Alan is truly upset. He is considering closing down the project. These findings and the presence of police and newspaper reporters are causing delays, delays that are effecting the project budget.”

“You must admit that he has a rather good point,” said Basham.

“So now we have seven infant bog bodies. I hope that is the last of them,” said Joyce.

“Have you notified the police?,” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Very well. I'm on my way. Ask Inspector Godwin if he arrives to wait for