The Passing Bell Tolls for Thee

39 Wrapping Up

DI Burton and a few officers followed Bill up the path to the clearing. The officers began to process the scene while Burton walked over to the buggy.

"Hello, Estelle," he said. "Is there a believable explanation for this?" Burton asked. "I hope. Or do we have to make one up?"

Estelle shrugged. "We could tell you the truth, but most won't believe it." She said to April, Burton is my cousin. His mother was one of us."

A solemn DI Burton listened without comment to the story April and Geoff gave him. He was Wiltshire born and bred, and he knew the Hydd legends from his mother, but never wanted to believe them. He looked at Estelle, and raised an eyebrow.

"It's the closest explanation," she said. "It was dark under the trees. He nodded.

Burton reported that Ben had been killed by a stag. Chico the llama died fighting the stag. No one from Pelham, Wiltshire argued against the report.

***

Bill took Smokey to Pelham Vets where Eunice Goodbody came in to tend to the dog. April and Geoff went to Pelham Emergency. April checked out with a few bruises and strains. Geoff had his broken arm put in a cast. The doctor told them they'd be all right.

They sat in the exam room, waiting to be discharged. "Bill texted me. Eunice said Smokey had a few bruises, but his leg was fine. He should be good as new. Bill is keeping him overnight. He's also going to bury Chico tomorrow."

"Chico," said Geoff. "Good guard animal. Fighting something far bigger and deadly than he was."

April sagged. "He deserves a medal, at least." She wiped her eyes.

"For valor," Geoff said.

"I'll text Bill, asking him to bury Chico in the sheep field. I think that's a good place for him to rest."

Burton walked in. "Heard you two will be fine, and the dog, too. Hard night."

The nurse came in, gave April and Geoff their papers and instructions, and they went to the waiting room with Burton.

Cress, Tom, and Mrs. Bigwood were waiting for them. Tom offered to go with Burton to tell Ben's parents of his death. Burton accepted with relief, and the two men left.

April's phone beeped. She checked the text message. "It's from Bill," she said. He found the missing ewe and her lambs when he went home. Apparently, they ran back to Oakton during the fight. They're OK. He checked them out and put them in the barn for the night."

Bill was waiting up at his cottage for his wife. Estelle came home and told him what happened at hospital and what Burton reported. He nodded. "That's all I want to know, love. Time we got some sleep. Lots to do tomorrow."

Cress took Geoff and April stay at the townhouse for the night, at least. She put them both in Geoff's room, without asking if that was what they wanted. "See you two in the morning. I'll let you sleep in. You could use a rest." She shut the door behind her.

April looked around the bedroom. Twin beds with blue covers had a nightstand between them. April's picture sat on the nightstand.

Geoff limped to one bed and sat on it. He patted the mattress. "Sit down, love." She sat close, leaned her head on his good shoulder, and rubbed his back.

"I'm so exhausted and whatever they gave me at the hospital has got me sleepy. It looks like we're going to miss our vacation to Ibiza next week." He yawned and tried to stretch. "Oww," he whispered. "I'm going to sleep for a few days."

"Lie down already. You can barely hold your eyes open." She kissed his cheek and helped him slide under the covers. "I'll sleep in the other twin bed."

He mumbled something as she pulled the covers up.

"What?"

He held his good hand out towards her bed. She linked her fingers through his. His breathing slowed and he was asleep. She put his arm on his bed. She pillowed her head on her hand and watched him sleep for a few minutes before her eyes closed, and she slept peacefully.