MYSTERY: BRITISH MYSTERY: Missing Hearts (Amateur Sleuth Suspense Thriller) (Cozy Crime Detective Short Stories)

by S. Y. Robins

  “Leave it be George and I’ll treat you to that pint. But just steer clear of them right?” Benjamin replied.

  “Well I’ll tell you this much Ben, whatever has been going on round here of late, these folk have something to do with it. That much I know. I can smell ‘em I can. Sober or drunk, I know these folk are up to no good.”

  They were interrupted by the arrival of Van Lomas. He arrived at the bar smiling at Benjamin. “A vodka martini please barman. I see your fiancée isn’t with you tonight. You haven’t left her alone have you?”

  “She’s with her mother, preparing the café for tomorrow thanks.” Benjamin retorted sharply. He took the money Van Lomas offered and thrust back his change. Van Lomas moved over to the lounge to sit with his awaiting acquaintances.

  “You notice how they all move around to fit him in. I bet he doesn’t pay for another drink all night. Treat him like royalty they do. Mind, he must have some money to afford that farmhouse and the fancy car.” George said.

  Apart from us poor idiots that were born here, the only folk that can afford anything in these parts is rich outsiders George. You know that.” Benjamin replied.

  “Right enough, but I’ve never seen one get treated like some sort of royalty though, have you?” George said.

  “No you’re right enough. Oh well, we never will be that’s a fact. Maybe they are all from one of those funny hand-shake groups and he’s the big banana. Who knows?” Benjamin replied.

  “Aye and maybe they are some sort of sick religious cult that steals animals from my traps for weird orgies up on the stone circle.” George said as he slid back into his corner of the bar.

  The conversation was interrupted as one of the visitors arrived at the bar for an order of drinks. Both Benjamin and George were observing the ring on his finger as he paid.

  George gave a nod and tapped the side of his nose with a smile as the man left to take the round of drinks back to the table.

  Just after midnight Benjamin gave a ring of the last orders bell to an almost empty pub. One or two stragglers made their way for a last drink and eventually the pub was deserted and quiet. He spent the next half hour clearing up tables and loading the glass washing machine before heading upstairs to bed.

  He was shattered from the heavy day and worried over the missing people and of course the earlier conversation with George. Devil worshippers were the last thing this place needed. The old stone circle had attracted its fair share of crackpots over the years. All doing their thing to do whatever it was they thought they would do to embrace nature, but usually it was just an excuse for naked romps in the fresh air. Nobody came to any harm and nobody was any wiser to the orgies up there. It would always be so. Devil worshippers though, were a whole different ball game. Somebody could get hurt. That would be bad for the person getting hurt and bad too for the village and business. All this swirling through his head didn’t stop Benjamin falling asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

  4

  It was loud banging on the door that awoke Benjamin from his deep slumber. He staggered down the stairs and still stood in his boxers, unbolted and unlocked the heavy oak front door. It was George. He was panting heavily and pushed past Benjamin to get into the pub. He got himself over to the bar and clambered onto one of the barstools.

  “You won’t believe this shit Ben, really you are not going to believe this at all.”

  “Okay calm down, I’ll put the kettle on and some clothes. Yeah clothes might be a really good idea first. Okay go in the kitchen and put the kettle on. I’ll get dressed.” Benjamin said.

  George stumbled into the kitchen and filled up the electric kettle as Benjamin flew upstairs to get dressed. Throwing on whatever he could find from last night he was back downstairs before the kettle had a chance to boil.

  “Sit down George and tell me what the hell is going on” Benjamin said.

  “It’s Jimmy. Young Jimmy the paperboy. He’s gone too!” groaned George. “No shit. He left the shop this morning with his bag of papers and didn’t manage to get half way round the village. I was up waiting for him before I went to check my snares. I waited and waited and thought well he must have thrown a sick day or something so I walked down to the shop. He left at least an hour ago they told me. Nowhere to be seen Ben, no bloody where at all!”

  “Okay calm down mate” Benjamin said as he poured them both a hot mug of steaming tea. “He’ll be somewhere. Have the police been called? His folks?”

  “Yes, yes, they’ll be on their way right now. I’m going up on the moors to scout around. Something bad is going on Ben, something seriously bad.” George replied as he snuffled into his hot tea.

  “Okay relax, the whole village will be out looking for Jimmy, you can bet on it. Drink your tea. I’ll grab you something from the fridge to take up there with you. Be careful and don’t lose your head up there man. They’ll find him.”

  Benjamin was shaken himself from the news. Jimmy was sixteen and one of their own. A local kid. Delivering papers since he was twelve and could barely carry the bag. His mother owned the newsagents and delivering the papers was just one of those jobs he was going to get whether he liked it or not. He did like it though and the village liked him. This was not going to go down well at all. He rummaged around in the fridge and pulled out a couple of Cornish pasties. He bagged them up and passed them to George. “Stick these in your coat George. They’ll get you through the morning ‘til you can get something proper to eat.”

  “Thanks Ben. I’m going to go get up there. No idea what I’m looking for but I’ve got my suspicions this has to do with that stupid bloody circle. We should knock the damn thing down.” George replied as he dropped the pasties into the deep pockets of his poacher jacket.

  George gulped down his tea and passed the empty mug to Benjamin. “Thanks mate I’ll be back down in a few hours. Have a pint ready for me. I think I’ll be needing it.”

  Benjamin took the mug and set it down in the sink before sitting himself at the kitchen table to sip slowly on his own tea. He hadn’t even looked to see if Jimmy had delivered the pub papers. They had three different ones from all the different political views to suit all the customers. Jimmy would stick them in an old coal box near the front door. If he hadn’t made it to George, he wouldn’t have got up here to the pub either. He finished his tea and walked out of the pub, locking it behind him. There would be no casual drinks and happy chats for tourists or locals this morning. He made his way down to the café.

  “Ben! What are you doing here? I’m guessing you heard the news about Jimmy?” Janey said coming round from the counter.

  “Yes. George came and knocked me out of bed, banging on the door. He’s gone up to the moors to look around himself. I’ve never seen the guy so freaked out.” Benjamin replied. “Listen, you remember Van Lomas asking us for dinner? If he comes by today and asks then say yes. Suggest tonight.” He finished.

  “Ben? What are you planning? Does this have anything to do with Jimmy? Are you crazy? You think Van Lomas is involved in snatching Jimmy?” Janey gasped.

  “I’m suggesting nothing Janey. But I do want to have a nosy around that place. Something isn’t right here and hasn’t been since Van Lomas and his weird friends turned up. I just want to see for myself is all. So if he asks, agree and make sure it’s both of us okay?”

  “Yes of course. As long as you think so, I’ll go along with whatever you think might help poor Jimmy” Janey replied.

  Benjamin slowly finished his cup of tea, stirring it pointlessly as he tried to pull the events together. George was certainly right, something was seriously wrong and he was probably right about Van Lomas too. Now it was time to prove it. He kissed Janey and gave her a long hug as he departed back to the pub.

  Van Lomas wasn’t too long arriving at the café soon after Benjamin left. Almost as if he had been waiting for him to leave.

  “Good morning Jane. A cup of tea and a toasted tea cake if you would be so kind.” He said on enter
ing. Looking around the empty café he chose a seat at a table by the window. There he gazed outside and glanced across as Janey prepared his order. She brought the tea and hot buttered tea cake over and gave her best forced smile.

  “Would there be anything else Sir?” She asked politely. Hoping that an invitation to dinner would not be the next request. Much as she wanted to agree with Benjamin and follow this through, this man seriously gave her the creeps.

  “Why yes. I’d like you to take me up on my dinner invitation this evening. With your friend Benjamin of course, unless he’s too busy. Then the offer would of course be open to you yourself Jane.”

  Janey braced herself for the answer she was going to give. It was the last thing she wanted to utter but she did. For Benjamin.

  “Yes. Yes we will come to dinner this evening. Both of us of course.”

  “Yes. Both of you of course. How does eight o clock sound?” Van Lomas replied as a crooked smile cracked through his lips.

  “Eight will be just fine thank you. I shall have Benjamin pick me up.” Janey replied. She returned to behind the counter and busied herself with rearranging already perfectly arranged items to distract herself from crying. She was quite terrified of both this man and the evening she had set up for them.

  Van Lomas didn’t linger and as soon as he was out of the door she was on the phone to Benjamin.

  “I’ve agreed for us to go to dinner with Van Lomas, Ben. Eight o’clock. I really hope you know what you’re doing baby. That man freaks me out something terrible.”

  “Well done Janey. I’m proud of you. Tonight we’ll find out who this guy is and what exactly goes on at that farm. It sure isn’t farming.” Benjamin replied.

  George had returned from his foray up on the moors and overheard the phone call from his perch on the bar. “Seriously? You’re going up there? Talk about walking into the lion’s den matey.” George said.

  “Let’s see what’s really going on up there right George. I won’t let anything happen to Janey, but I need to know who this guy is. What did you find on your travels on the moor anyway?”

  “Well no sign of Jimmy that’s for sure, but some really sick folk are messing at the circle, no doubt about it. If it’s some sort of a joke I’m not laughing. The whole circle is pretty much blood red now with bits of carcass lying everywhere. The police don’t have a clue who or why and are so stretched trying to find all these missing folk they don’t have time to do anything about it.”

  “No, I don’t expect them to go chasing new age loonies when there’s folk missing. There's certainly not enough police around these parts and definitely not ones who know the area well enough to be of any use. That’s why I want to go up there myself George. This is something we’ll have to do ourselves.” Benjamin replied.

  “Aye, well you keep that lady of yours close up there Ben. I wouldn’t trust that Van Lomas fellow as far as I could throw him. Right I’m off to get changed and find some food then I’ll be back out looking. If I don’t see you before, I’ll see you tomorrow. You can tell me all about your party with the weirdoes.” George said as he finished his beer and headed for the door. He turned as he went out.

  “Take good care of Janey mate. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Benjamin waited until the relief bar staff turned up then got himself upstairs to get showered and changed for the evening. He and Janey didn’t get much time for dressing up and eating out. Usually, they would end up eating in the Cow and Calf or make the trip a few miles to the next good pub just for a change of scenery. Still Benjamin had no intention of dressing up fancy. He called Janey to check she was ready and went outside to get in his van.

  Benjamin drove an old, classic Volkswagen camper van. Although he rarely got a chance to go anywhere in it other than picking up stock for the pub, it was his pride and joy and he had spent good money restoring it for a planned trip around Europe. For now, it would be picking up Janey from the café and driving up onto the bumpy track to the farm on the moor.

  They arrived just before eight and Van Lomas was at the main door to great them.

  Benjamin had parked some way down the track to avoid the potholes and had also took the time to turn the van around so it faced the right way for going home. He didn’t want to put any dents in his precious van trying to swing it around on this path in the dark. So they’d walked the last quarter of a mile to the farm.

  “Glad you made it on time” Van Lomas Said. “I hope you didn’t walk all the way, I could have sent one of the staff to collect you.”

  “No not at all. Just didn’t think my van would appreciate any more potholes than it needed to thanks. So we walked the last bit of the drive is all.” Benjamin replied.

  “Ah yes indeed. I should perhaps have something done about that shouldn’t I? Though it does keep prying eyes away.” Van Lomas said. “Please come inside. You look quite wonderful tonight Jane. Come through to the lounge both of you. We shall have a glass of wine before dinner if that is acceptable?”

  They followed Van Lomas into a large, Georgian decorated lounge. A fire was burning in a huge fireplace.

  “Yes I know, I know. Hardly necessary in this weather but this old house tends to stay damp and cold I find. So the fire keeps the aches away. And of course it amuses me.” Van Lomas laughed.

  A butler brought in the wine and they settled into tall armchairs facing the fire.

  “So Jane, do you intend to spend the rest of your life in that little village working in the café or do you have plans?” Van Lomas asked.

  “The café is Mother’s. We, that is Ben and I, intend to travel Europe sometime in the future. What is it you do particularly Mr Van Lomas?” Janey replied.

  “Ahh Europe, of course. Travelling in a camper through the wine regions I suppose. How delightful. Me? I study and research. And do please call me Daniel.” Van Lomas said.

  “Study what exactly Daniel?” Janey asked.

  “Antique art, literature and specifically religious art and literature.” Van Lomas replied.

  The conversation moved back and forth until the butler appeared at an adjoining door and announced dinner. Van Lomas took Janey’s arm and escorted her into a well-dressed dining room. The table had seating for twelve and looked somewhat imposing for just the three of them sitting there. With candles lit along the table both Janey and Benjamin had to admire the quality of the setting. Just as the first course arrived Benjamin had to make his excuses though and asked for directions to the bathroom. The butler escorted him into the hallway and directed him along the corridor. Benjamin followed the directions taking every opportunity to look into any open door.

  Just room after room of display cases filled with ancient figures and walls hung with paintings he could never imagine owning. To one side of the corridor though he saw an alcove that looked like it led to perhaps a wine cellar. Seeing that the butler had returned to his duties, he tried the door. It was locked. He pushed on it a couple of times but it wasn’t going to open without a key. From the other side of the door though he heard what sounded like a muffled groan. He tapped lightly on the door. Again he heard another gentle groan.

  “Can I help you, Sir? You seem to have got lost on your visit to the facilities.” The butler said, appearing at the end of the corridor.

  “Oh sorry, yes, totally confused in this old place. Can we try again?” Benjamin replied.

  “Certainly, Sir. I shall escort you,” came the stern reply.

  The butler and Benjamin made the trip to the bathroom and back to the dining room without further incident. The butler and Van Lomas exchanged stern glances as Benjamin took his seat.

  “We were getting worried for a moment there Ben. Did you get yourself lost?" Van Lomas asked.

  “Very sorry, I was admiring some of the art and got confused. Big place isn’t it?” Benjamin replied.

  “Yes it is indeed. Now let us enjoy this fine dinner shall we?” Van Lomas finished.

  Though he hadn’t seen anybody, Benjam
in was certain of what he had heard. He needed to get into that cellar. The food though was exquisite and both he and Janey were lulled by the wine and the food. At least, that was the impression they were hoping to give. Soon after dessert, Van Lomas stood up and excused himself.

  “Please help yourself to the port, my friends and indulge as if it were your last supper.” He said before making his exit.

  “I heard someone in the cellar Janey. I need to get in there.” Benjamin snapped as soon as Van Lomas had left.

  “You’re crazy Ben. There isn’t a chance you’ll get anywhere in this house without being noticed. The butler was sneaking around all the time you were at the bathroom. And he said something to Van Lomas, I’m sure.” Janey replied.

  “Well I know what I heard and we have to do something.” Benjamin said. He had no sooner finished speaking when they were both shocked by a tap on the large window directly behind them. It was George. He was smiling and giving a thumbs up sign.

  Benjamin looked at Janey. “That man is a bloody idiot! Keep an eye out for Van Lomas and the butler Janey. I’ll get rid of Sherlock Holmes.”

  Benjamin moved to the window and gently cracked it ajar.

  “What the hell George?” Benjamin asked with some frustration.

  “Just keeping an eye on you both. How’s the food?” George replied.

  “Listen George. I think there’s someone in the wine cellar. I heard a groan. We can’t get out of this room without being watched. Got to go.” Benjamin whispered, just as Van Lomas re-entered the room.

  Benjamin snapped his head round to see the tall man approaching the table.

  “Was just trying for some fresh air. That fire makes it quite stuffy after a big dinner don’t you think?” Benjamin asked smiling as he pushed the window closed.

  “Why yes, I suppose it does Ben. Are you suitably cooled? We shall have more wine I believe. Portuguese. One of my favourites. The French wines are so overrated don’t you agree?” Van Lomas remarked.