‘I’m up here near the Orchard.’
He leant on his spade, looking around as he waited. It would be an attractive setting when it was finished. Once the hard-core base for the barbecue was done, he’d build a pergola and cover it with climbing plants so that it provided natural shade for the table and chairs.
He did a double take, his eyes locking on a small domed object protruding through the soil he’d exposed. What the–?
At first, he couldn't grasp what he was seeing as he bent down and carefully started to prise the mud away. But then, as he realised what it was he was touching, he recoiled. ‘Jesus.’
He jumped up just as Natasha reached him, the frown on her brow indicating her improved temper had been a thing of brief duration.
‘What are you doing up here? I thought you were building the barbecue near the patio? It’s way too far from the house here.’
He stepped quickly in front of the hole, blocking her view. ‘Don’t come any closer, Tash. Go back to the house.’
‘Why?’
‘Just do as I say. I’ll explain in a minute.’
She looked at him impatiently, ignoring his efforts to deter her as she peered curiously around his body to see what he was concealing. She froze at the sight of the tiny skull and scattered bones he’d exposed.
‘My God. What’s that?’
‘It’s nothing.’
‘Adam, it’s a skull.’
Her eyes were locked in horror on the remains he’d unearthed, and acting swiftly, he covered them over before chucking the spade down on the ground and leading her firmly away.
‘Come back to the house, we can talk about it there.’
The warmth of their lounge was a welcome contrast to the bitter cold horror of what they’d just witnessed and Adam shut the patio doors behind them, watching Natasha carefully as she sank shakily into a chair. She’d been better recently, they didn’t need this.
She looked up at him her cheeks pale, her fingers plucking agitatedly in her lap. ‘I know what I saw, Adam. That was horrible. What do you think it’s doing there?’
‘I don’t know. It could be some sort of ancient relic or something I suppose, but …’ he took a breath, knowing he had no choice now that she’d also seen the findings. ‘We should probably call the police.’
The suggestion didn’t go down well, as he’d known it wouldn’t, Natasha’s eyes taking on a haunted look.
‘But if we do that they’ll be traipsing everywhere, all over our beautiful home and garden. It’ll knock me back, the way I’m feeling at the moment, you know it will.’
She began to breathe hard and he could tell the tears weren’t far away. He stared at her helplessly. ‘Look, it’ll be fine, don’t get upset. I’ll ring Mum and see if she can hang onto Katie for the rest of the weekend, until it’s all sorted.’
‘It was so tiny,’ Natasha whispered, her eyes filled with the horror of what she’d seen. ‘I can’t bear the thought that it was a …’
‘Hey, come on, don’t think about it.’ Adam’s tone was soothing as he felt himself slipping into the familiar role of carer. ‘It’s probably just some ancient relic as I say. Why don’t you lay down for a bit and take one of your sedatives? You’ll feel better if you rest.’
Natasha rose unsteadily from her chair. ‘I think I will. I had a terrible night last night. Not that you’d know anything about that of course in your comfy spare room.’
‘Let’s not go there again, Tash …’
‘Like we never go there you mean?’
She glared at him accusingly. He was the first to look away.
‘Do you want some water to take up with you?’
‘No.’ Her response was sullen. ‘Just make sure to wake me after a couple of hours or I’ll have trouble sleeping again tonight.’
He waited until she’d gone before moving over to the cabinet and yanking the stopper off the brandy. His expression was brooding as he poured himself a drink. He was an idiot. He should have been quicker off the mark concealing those bones. It would have bought him some time at least - and he couldn’t help thinking he might just have left them where they were, to become someone else’s problem in the future. It was a question of priorities. And right now, his priorities were pretty much stretched to the limit.
He tossed the brandy down his throat and released his breath. Well, it was too late for any of that now. Natasha had seen them and he couldn’t rely on her to keep quiet about the discovery.
Which meant he had no choice but to get on and report it.
***
They were there within fifteen minutes. Not bad for a Saturday, he thought, watching as two cars pulled up. He walked out onto the front drive, his face impassive as two figures climbed out of the front car and made their way over to him. Why did seeing the police always make you feel guilty?
‘Mr Campbell? Detective Chief Inspector Murray, and my colleague, Detective Sergeant Briscombe. We were in the vicinity when the call went out and thought we’d take a look, if that’s okay?’
He spoke abruptly; a stocky man in his mid-fifties with a brisk air of authority that sat somewhat oddly with his rather scruffy appearance. He was wrapped warmly in an ancient fleece and he peered at Adam through shrewd eyes before allowing his gaze to wander briefly over the attractive barn conversion and shingle courtyard surrounding it.
‘So, a skeleton you say?’
His piercing gaze focused on Adam with a sharpness that was disconcerting.
Adam nodded. ‘It looked like it to me. And possibly a baby. It was grim. Shall I show you?’
‘If you wouldn’t mind.’
Adam led him through the clematis-clad archway at the side of the house. When he reached the small orchard at the top of the garden everything was as he’d left it. He couldn’t bring himself to look at that disturbed pile of earth again.
‘It’s there, beneath the mud. Do you need me for anything else?’
‘A couple of questions, then you can leave us to it. I’ll come back and see you when we’ve finished.’
Murray looked at how the garden backed onto open fields. ‘Nice setting you've got here, but very open if someone wanted to gain access?'
‘Yes, I suppose it is. Not that we’ve had problems with trespassing.’
‘Was it you that found the remains?’
‘Yes.’
The Inspector bent down and carefully probed the soil. Then he looked up. ‘They’re certainly very small bones, but what made you think they’re human? Not that obvious just looking at them.’
‘The remains of a skull are buried a bit further over to the left. I’m a vet, so I have a certain knowledge of the anatomy.’
‘Ah, right. And did you touch anything or move it?’
‘Yes, I suppose I did when I was trying to scrape the mud off. Sorry.’
The Inspector shrugged, turning back to the hole. ‘You weren’t to know. I understand your wife also saw the remains. Did she touch anything?’
Adam shook his head.
‘Good.’ He stood up. ‘I think that’ll do for now. No need for you to stay any longer. I’ll come back to the house when we’ve finished.’
‘Right.’ Adam cast one more look in the direction of the skull and turned away. He didn’t need telling twice.
Murray watched him go, waiting until he was out of earshot before turning to his Sergeant. ‘Are forensics on the way?’
His companion snapped his phone shut. ‘Should be here any minute.’
‘Good.’ He bent down and had another careful poke. ‘I think he might be right, Harry. They look human to me. And as he says, possibly a baby.’
He turned to look up at the other man. ‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’
Harry Briscombe smiled. ‘I’d never presume to guess what you’re thinking, sir. But if you’re referring to the identity of the skeleton?’
‘I am.’
‘There haven’t been many babies gone missing in the area.’
Harry followed his gaze to where a gowned-up figure, with a toolbox in his hand and covers on his shoes, was making his way purposefully towards them.
They waited in silence until the pathologist joined them. He nodded his head at Murray. ‘Morning,’ he said briskly. ‘What have we got?’
‘Phone call from the owners to say they’d found what looked like human remains. The husband’s a vet, seems to know his stuff. Apparently, there’s a skull under that lot there.’
The pathologist knelt and surveyed the scene before getting to work. Murray waited patiently as he went through the usual ritual.
‘Yup,’ he said, looking up. ‘They’re human remains all right. A very young baby, I’d say. I’ll get this lot back to the lab and send my report through as soon as I can. But I warn you now, we’re inundated. Nothing’s going to happen in a hurry.’
Murray simply nodded. ‘When you can.’ Sighing, he turned to Harry. ‘I think I’ll have a chat with the husband. You keep an eye on things up here. I won’t be long.’
Back at the house he saw Adam Campbell through the lounge windows, sitting staring out onto the garden.
He rose as the Inspector approached and opened the patio doors.
‘Did you want to come in, Inspector?’
‘Just a few questions if you don’t mind, sir.’
He stamped his feet to dislodge what mud he could and stepped carefully onto the mat by the door. His gaze swept quickly around the cool elegance of the room before settling on the dark-haired man in front of him.
‘You’ve got a nice home here. Doesn’t quite fit my image of the typical country vet with muddy boots and a host of abandoned animals trailing after him, but...’ he shrugged and smiled. ‘I guess that’s just another example of how things have changed these days.’
Adam’s look was rueful. ‘That’s my wife’s influence. If it were down to me the place would be just the sort of retreat you describe. But Natasha would have a fit. She doesn’t do messy.’
‘Right now, just a few questions, and then I’ll leave you in peace. I’m sure I don’t need to stress the potential seriousness of this situation?’ His eyes bore into Adam’s. ‘The forensic team have confirmed that the skeleton's human, and, as you say, a baby. It’ll need looking into. They’ll be taking everything off to the lab, but it would be helpful to have a few facts.’
Adam looked shocked. ‘Of course.’
‘What were you doing when you made the discovery?’
‘Clearing the space to build a new barbeque area.’
‘And you and your wife have lived here how long?’
‘Six and a half years.’
‘Lovely house for a young couple to be starting off in. You must have been very young when you bought it?’
Adam’s discomfort showed. ‘Actually, it was my mother-in-law who bought it shortly before we got married. The plan was for her to live here with Natasha while I was away at university, but unfortunately it didn’t work out that way. She died a couple of months after our wedding.’
Why did he feel the need to explain himself? It was nobody’s business what sort of a house they lived in.
The Inspector merely nodded. ‘What about the people who lived here before you? Do you know what happened to them?’
‘I never met them, but I think they emigrated. We might still have their names amongst our papers if you want them?’
‘Yes, please, when you’ve got a moment. Is your wife around? I’d like to speak to her now if I may?’
Adam hesitated. ‘She’s not been too well; she’s sleeping right now. I just went and checked on her. Can it wait?’
Murray closed his book with a snap. ‘Someone can drop by in the morning, if that’s more convenient?’
‘Thanks. We’ll both be here unless I get called out on an emergency.’ He looked at the Inspector. ‘I know it’s probably asking the impossible, but ... have you got any thoughts on why those bones might be there?’
Murray’s response was guarded. ‘Difficult to say at this stage, but the circumstances may well speak for themselves. In my book, you don’t usually bury a baby in someone’s back garden unless you’ve got something to hide.’
‘You don’t think it could be some sort of archaeological find then? There are lots of sites around here and I remember reading somewhere that in ancient times they sometimes buried their dead close to the house - something about keeping the spirit close.’
Murray’s look was sceptical. ‘I think, even back then, they usually buried their dead in coffins, and I didn’t see much evidence of that. But it’s possible I suppose. We'll keep you posted.’
He opened the patio door and stepped back outside, pulling his fleece tightly around him as the cold air bit in. ‘Thanks for your time, Mr. Campbell. We’ll need to excavate a wider area to make sure we don’t miss anything I’m afraid. I’m sure it goes without saying, that nobody goes near the sealed off section until we’ve finished examining it?’
Adam nodded. ‘That won’t be a problem.’
‘Good. I’ll leave you to it then. As I say, someone will drop by tomorrow to speak to your wife.’
Adam watched him trudge back up the garden before picking up his empty coffee cup and carrying it through to the kitchen. A frown marred his face. Natasha was fragile enough at the moment – he recognised the signs all too well. The last thing they needed was a police investigation on their doorstep.
CHAPTER TWO
Hannah dumped her shopping bags on the floor and ran straight into the lounge, switching on the TV.
The remains of a baby, the Sergeant had said. They were just letting her know as a precaution. She flicked on the News and caught her breath as the first thing she saw was a haunting image of herself looking bewildered – and much younger – fighting her way through a horde of reporters. She didn’t need any introduction as to what it was about, but already the picture was changing, moving on to where a reporter was standing outside a house with a couple of policemen standing guard.
‘Yes, Malcolm. As you can see, I’m in this very pleasant village on the outskirts of Hertford where the residents enjoy one of the country’s lowest crime rates. Certainly not somewhere you’d normally expect to discover the grim findings that police have uncovered here today. They’ve released no details except to confirm they have found, what they believe to be, the remains of a young baby. Suspicious causes can’t be ruled out at this stage. Around here, conjecture is growing as to whether these could possibly be the remains of little Sophie Walker who went missing from her pram nearly six years ago when she was just three weeks old. She was never found and no charges were ever brought. Of course, until the remains are formally identified, the police won’t be drawn, and we can only speculate, but…’
Hannah grabbed the tv remote and clicked it off before sinking down onto the settee. She wasn’t interested in their speculation. She’d heard it all before.
She dropped her head into her hands as emotions she’d hoped never to experience again flooded in, threatening to send her spiralling back into the deep abyss she’d taken so long to climb out of.
She didn’t remember much about those early days after Sophie had been taken. Didn’t want to remember. She’d felt that the whole world must be blaming her for leaving her daughter out in the garden, yet it was surprising how, in the face of tragedy, people had shown her nothing but kindness, assuring her, repeatedly, that it hadn’t been her fault.
But, no one could shift the heavy burden of blame she’d piled on herself.
Then, inexplicably, hard on the early sympathy their plight had aroused, came the far more incomprehensible, and in her view, distracting accusations, that maybe it was her or Ben who’d done something to Sophie. And even though she hadn’t really believed that Ben could have done something like that, it had sealed the impenetrable rift between them.
‘Do you think I don’t know that you’re sitting th
ere suspecting me?’ He’d accused aggressively one evening, in the early stages of the search.
‘Ben, I don’t suspect you.’ She was in tears. She didn't think she could take much more. ‘Of course, I don’t.’
He’d tossed his scotch back in one. ‘Then why don’t you stick up for me in the bloody media? Tell them that?’
‘Because I don’t want to talk to any reporters. They just twist everything you say. I want to be left alone.’
‘But it’s not just about you, Hannah. How do you think I feel being accused like some bloody criminal? I could do with some support here. You may not like me doing the tv interviews, but at least I’m doing something concrete to find our daughter, which is more than can be said for you.’
She shook her head. He was right, she knew. It had been the idea of the police to do the appeals, yet, she couldn’t quite get it out of her head that a part of him was actually enjoying the media attention. Enjoying the importance of his role in all this.
‘I’m sorry, I can’t think straight at the moment...’ She’d buried her face in her hands.
She felt useless. Useless...
She didn’t know how long she sat there on the sofa, fighting off memories she’d thought long buried. It was the sound of the telephone, cutting shrilly into her thoughts, that finally dragged her back to the present. She moved in a daze to answer it.
It was as if thinking about him had conjured him up.
‘Hannah? It’s Ben. Have you seen the news?’
Dread curled in her chest, the image of his arrogant features swimming before her.
‘I told you never to call me, Ben.’
‘This is important. Have you seen the news? They’ve found the skeleton of a baby in a village near Hertford. They think it might be Sophie.’
It felt an age before she could muster the strength to find her voice. ‘Yes, I saw it.’
‘Well, what are we going to do about it? Have the police been in contact with you?’
‘Yes, they phoned me about an hour ago.’
‘Well, that’s typical. They haven’t called me – though why that should surprise me, I don’t know. What did they say?’
Cry From The Grave A Thrilling Psychological Crime Mystery (Harry Briscombe Book 1) Page 2
