The Passing Bell Tolls for Thee

14 The Body in the Bog

April was busy over the next few days exploring Oakton, learning how it operated, how the sheep were raised, the other farm products. The ewes bred, and Bill expected the lambs to be born in early May. Smokey accompanied April most of the time and tried with poor results to herd the sheep.

On a cold, clear day near the middle of November, she drove the buggy to the pasture to talk with Bill. Smokey sat upright in the seat beside her, alert dark eyes sparkling as he watched over his pastures.

She found Bill examining the big, white llama, which laid quietly on the grass, where it could see all that went on. Chico had a cut on his leg that was infected and wouldn't clear up with Bill's care. The cut didn't look too bad, but Bill said he'd called Geoff come to examine the llama.

Smokey barked as a sheep began grazing near them. Bill said, "He's got the makings of a good herd dog. I'll start his training next month. He'll be useful on the farm."

"I'm just fostering him while Geoff finds a home for him." April said. She already loved the dog and hoped to keep him. "It will be good if he's trained though, in case he needs another home."

"Ah, well, a good pup like him. He's attached to you. I'll train him till he goes."

April scratched the small dog's ears. "He listens well, and he's smart. He'll make someone a good dog. I thought that all border collies were black and white, but he's that merle color. Lovely gray and white mix."

"They do come in many colors. I'll call Mr. Lanfair about Chico's leg."

"Thanks, Bill." She put Smokey in the front seat and drove away. The buggy bumped down the path that led through the woods on Oakton. In a few minutes she parked by the King's Oak. She got out, Smokey at her heels, and walked around the oak. It's magnificent, she thought, the biggest oak on the property. Smokey growled at the tree. "Hush, Smoke."

She ran her hands over the thick, rough bark. The tree seemed to shiver under her touch and felt sticky. She checked her hands, but there was no sap on them. Fall was not when sap rose.

She drove the buggy through the woods, out to a clear area where a bog began. She and Smokey walked the edges of the bog. She wanted to familiarize herself with the boundaries of Oakton, and a few yards beyond the bog, Oakton's border ran alongside Lord Kennet's lands. Smokey ran to the edge of the bog, barking.

Thinking the dog had spotted someone she called him back. "Smokey, here." The dog kept barking frantically. Exasperated, she fastened the leash to his collar. She froze when she saw the pale arm floating on the top of the bog, the sleeve on the shirt stained and filthy. She'd never have seen it but for Smokey alerting her.

She stared at the arm, breathing hard. Her heart started to pound, and she felt shaky. She knelt by Smokey, patting the dog until she calmed. She led him back to the buggy and dialed '999' for the Pelham Police.

She called Ben while she waited for them. He was in Bath, arranging for Drew's house there to be painted. "Ben? I've got bad news. I found a body in the bog beyond the woods. I've already called Pelham Police."

"A body?" He screamed, and she held her cell phone away from her ear. "In the bog? Whose body? Why are you there? This is terrible." It's got to be Musselwhite. This transition is more trouble than all the others.

She interrupted to say, "Ben, Ben. Slow down. I don't know whose body it is. I only saw the body because Smokey barked."

"I'll be there as soon as I can. I'm leaving now." He disconnected. Dammed dog.

April stared at her phone for a moment before putting it away. She'd never known Ben to get so upset. She sat in the buggy, and she and Smokey waited for the police.

***

Ben arrived at the lodge as the police were loading the body into an ambulance for transport. He got out of the Mercedes and walked over to the inspector. He introduced himself.

"Distressing, Inspector." Drew watched as two men loaded the body bag into the back of the ambulance. "Pity about this. Poor sod. Are you going to dig the bog?"

Grey-haired Detective Inspector Craig Burton shook his head and Drew relaxed. The bog held many dark secrets. "Looks like an accident. Probably fell in and drowned. Animals got to the remains," he whispered, looking at April as she watched. "Lady didn't panic or disturb the remains. Big help."

"Mrs. Waverly was Mr. Ramsey's carer, and is a trained medical assistant," Drew said.

"Yes. We're taking the body for autopsy."

"Let me know the findings, please. If there's anything we can do to help, call me."

The DI pondered this. "I'd heard Mrs. Waverly inherited Oakton."

"She's the legal heir, if she meets the requirements. I'm in charge until the estate is settled and handed over to her."

"Very well, then. We'll be in touch, sir." Burton got in his car and followed the ambulance.

Drew watched them go, relieved there was no suggestion of foul play. He didn't need a police investigation while he was waiting to take April as his next vessel. He watched the police cars disappear down the street.

"Ben?" he turned around as April called him.

"Yes, April? How are you doing?" he walked over to her and took her hands, taking care to squeeze them gently. "Cold hands." He rubbed them. "I understand how nerve-wracking this is." She removed them gently.

"I think I'm well enough. At least the poor man can be identified, and his family notified. I hope he has—had one."

"Most likely. Let's get tea. Mrs. Bigwood should have it ready, and we could use some food."