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

Basham took a seat and began reading. He started with the month of January 1943 and read, “ January 11, 1943 the United States and the United Kingdom gave up territorial rights in China.”

“January 23, 1943 British forces capture Tripoli from the Italians.” “January 29, 1943 Nazi German Police arrest alleged

necrophiliac and serial killer Bruno Ludke.” “ Interesting but not what I'm looking for,” he thought. By early afternoon Basham had reviewed all of the microfilmed news articles from January to July 1943. His eyes ached and there was a mild pain in his shoulders created by the position he had sat in doing his research. At the same time he was hungry having missed his eleven o'clock tea time.

He stood and walked over to where the librarian sat at her desk. “I shall go to lunch now but will return. I still have four more months to examine in the year 1943. Is it permissible to leave the files in the machine until I return?” he asked.

“Ordinarily no. However, I doubt if anyone else is going to enter and request the use of the Microfiche. Did you shut it off?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent then it will be ready when you return,” she replied.

After walking back to the Bridgeport Inn Alistair went to his room placed the now dry umbrella in the closet and entering the bathroom washed his face and hands. As he did he heard the

room door open and close. He called out, “Is that you love?”

“Yes, I just came from lunch. Now that the rain is gone and the sun is out I shall go to the bog and work. I came back to the room to change,” said Joyce.

“A pity that I missed you for lunch. I came back from the library to dine. I must admit that I am hungry. I owe it to the fact that I missed my eleven o'clock tea”, he reasoned.

“Very possible. And did you have any luck in this venture of yours?”, she asked.

“Not as yet.”

“I'm sure that you will find something,” she said assuringly.

“Well, I'm off to the pub. Today I fancy a meat pie with a cup of tea. After that it's back to the library,” said Basham.

“I shall be back from the dig by five,” said Joyce.

“ Do be careful out there love,” Alistair replied.

“I shall.”

Basham went to the pub ordered his lunch then sat relaxed at his table sipping occasionally from a cup of tea. As he did his mind began to work. “I am certain that there is something or someone out there who or what can lead us to an item of information that will open this case. I must keep digging, although I must admit this search is difficult. Still, other cold cases have been solved after many years have passed. Perhaps, perhaps.,”

he thought.

Returning to the library Alistair said hello again to the librarian then seeing that no one was seated at the Microfiche he walked to it, removed his hounds tooth tweed sports coat and placed it on the back of the chair. Then he sat down turned on the instrument and began his search again. He began his new search in the month of September 1943. for the next two hours Basham read article after article related to world War Two and the British forces. By the time he reached the month of October 1943 he was becoming despaired believing that he would never find even a hint towards any signs of information that would lead him further into his investigation. The investigation which would allow him to create a portrait profile of the killer or killers of the babies found in the bog.

As he read the events listed in the newspaper articles he noticed one particular piece that perked his attention. The article read, “Woman Seeks Information On Baby She Placed For Adoption.” Basham began to read: The Times reports that a young London mother has through her solicitor petitioned His Majesty's Court seeking information on the where about of her new born baby son. Sybil Morgan stated that she gave birth to a son on April 14,1943. She further relates that after the birth she agreed to place the baby boy up for adoption.

Three days after leaving the birth facility the new mother changed her mind and decided to keep the child. Upon returning to a place she called Ainsworth House located in Hesterton she was told that her baby had already been adopted. Hoping to find the adoptive parents she asked for their names and address but was told that she had no right to that information. She then sought council from a solicitor and is represented by Sidney Bagly of London.

Alistair turned in his chair and reached into the inside pocket of his sport coat and took out a pen and small tablet. Then he copied word for word the article printed in the London Times on October 25, 1943. When he was finished writing he reached up and turned off the Microfiche. Then he stood put on his tweed jacket and walked to where the Librarian sat. “Thank you Miss. I am finished.”

“I hope you found what you were looking for,” said the woman.

“So do I. So do I.” Basham replied.

Returning to the hotel Basham called Inspector Godwin.

“Inspector Godwin,” said the detective when he answered the telephone.

“Alistair Basham here. I believe I have found something of interest my good man. If you are not too busy I suggest that you come by and we can talk over a pint or cup of tea, your choice,” said Basham.

“I'll be there shortly,” Godwin replied.

“Jolly good. I'll be in the pub,” said Alistair.

When Godwin walked into the Bridgeport Inn Pub he found Alistir Basham seated at a table in the back corner of the room.

In front of him was a glass of dark stout. “Hello Doctor,” said Godwin.

“Have a seat. What would you like, a beer, tea, coffee?.” Basham asked.

“Nothing, thank you,” said Godwin.

“You should really try this Guinness stout. It's excellent,” Basham advised.

“Sorry, some other time. Right now I'm on duty.”

“Of course, of course. How stupid of me. Now then, what can you tell me abut a place here in Hesterton called the Ainsworth House?”

“Nothing. I've never heard of it,” said Godwin.

“Strange. Very strange. You see it seems that back in 1943 a young woman named Sybil Morgan stated that she gave birth to a baby boy at a place called Ainsworth House in Hesterton.”

“Really?” asked the Inspector.

“Yes and there's more. It seems Sybil Morgan also gave her son up for adoption. Then, she changed her mind. Upon returning to this place, Ainsworth House she was told that her baby had already been adopted. She was also refused any information as to who adopted her child or where he was. She then petitioned the court. The case caught the attention of the times and an article was written and published.”Alistair reported.

“And then what happened?” asked the Inspector.

“I don't know. Hopefully, you as the lead investigator in the case of the bog bodies might be able to find and locate Sybil Morgan. I suggest that you contact the London Times and hopefully speak to one Grace Manning. She was the reporter who wrote the story.

“Doctor she wrote the article in 1943. She might be dead by now,” said Godwin.

“Or alive. Think positive my boy. Think positive.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the ringing of Alistair's mobile. “Hello?”, he said when he answered.

“Alistair I want you to contact Inspector Godwin and when you do come with him out here to the bog,” said Joyce.

“Don't tell me you found another body,” said Basham.

“No, but something of interest. Something important.”

“Very well. The Inspector is here with me at the pub. I'll tell him and we'll be on our way.”

“Good. Hurry.”

Twenty minutes later Godwin stopped the unmarked police car on the road adjacent to the bog. When both men got out of the vehicle the walked to where Joyce Basham stood.

“What is so important love,” asked Alistair as he approached her.

“What is important is what I found and if you look down beside my left foot you will see what it is,” said Joyce.

Inspector Godwin looked down and said, “Blimey!”

Basham said, “By Jove. Excellent my girl. Excellent. Inspector, I suggest that you call into headquarters and request a photographer. After that then you will want to preserve this piece of evidence.”

“Is that what I think it is?” asked Godwin.

“It is if you think it is an abandoned delivery forceps or what remains of them then, of course, you re right,” said Basham.

“What now?”, asked Godwin.

“Now we identify the make and year the item was manufactured if possible,” said Basham.

“Then what?”

“Then you call me at home in Harrow. I can tell by the look on my wife's face that she has had enough of Rose Moss Bog. At the same time I can tell you that I've had enough of the Bridgeport Inn. So, old chap I'll be at home tending to my roses. When you have something concrete don't hesitate to call me. One more thing. I suggest that you attempt to locate Sybil Morgan and please find someone in this town of yours that has heard of or knows about a place called, Ainsworth House.”

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

On a warm September mid-morning Alistair Basham

wearing heavy gloves carefully pruned his rose bushes. The

“Moody Blue” still had buds so he left the bush alone. Nonetheless, when he came to the “Amber Sweet Dreams” and

“The Beauty Star” he went to work with the pruners. He was about to rake all of the cuttings into a pile when Joyce came to the back door and called to him. “Alistair! Telephone. It's that Police Inspector bloke, Alfred Godwin,” she called in a loud voice.

“Ah, jolly good. Perhaps he has some news,” said Basham as he walked towards the backdoor.

Entering the house he lifted the receiver off of the wall telephone. “Ah. Inspector nice to hear from you. I hope you have news and information,” said Alistair.

“It could be both but at this time maybe a bit premature to begin celebrating,” Godwin offered.

“Let me hear it old boy.”

“First the sad news. Sybil Morgan was killed by a V-2 explosion in London during the war.”

“Damn the luck,” said Basham.

“However, I was able to make contact with Sidney Bagley.

He still has his law practice and is located in Westminster, London. His office is near the Double Tree Hotel. He has agreed to meet with me and will tell what he knows about Sybil Morgan and her case.”

“Excellent.”

“I also told him about you and your efforts in the case.”

“And what was his reaction?” asked Alistair.

“Rather good I'd say. He offered no objections,” Godwin added.

“Good, when is the meeting?”, asked Basham.

“Tomorrow, at eleven AM. I will leave for London today. Could you recommend a good inexpensive hotel?”

“Hotel? Nonsense. You will stay with us here in Harrow.

Write down the directions I'm about to give you.”

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

The next morning, after breakfast Basham sat at the kitchen table with Joyce and Alfred Godwin. “I assume that both of you will be using the police vehicle to go into Westminster. As it is I need the Bentley to go to market,” said Joyce.

“No problem Mrs. Bentley. I intended to use the motor car assigned to me,” Godwin replied.

“Oh jolly good. By the way, those forceps I found. What have you learned about them?”, she asked.

“They appear to be Simpson Forceps, the short form. I've been told they are used to turn the baby's head if it becomes necessary during birth,” Godwin answered.

“Once again that discovery only adds to my belief that abortion and or adoption is key to creating a portrait profile,” said Basham.

“We should learn more after our meeting today,” Godwin added.

“Well, I suggest that the two of you get up from the table and get ready to leave. I will do up the breakfast dishes and then dress to go to market,” said Joyce.

An hour later Inspector Godwin and Alistair Basham stood one after the other shaking