Lost Souls

49

The next three days went by very slowly for everyone with the exception of the police officers, their team of doctors, pathologists and the two very old looking anthropologists that had come along to identify certain criteria.

    Mullins and Frazier were very kind to the Rusk family during this time, and came up to the house regularly to report on their findings. The bones in the mass grave were easily catalogued, and it transpired that nine complete skeletons had been buried there. The bones of the man found in the barn had turned out to be those of an elderly male. The police were waiting on dental records for identification or DNA results taken from the clothing found on the body.

    At the end of the third day, Frazier delivered the news that everyone had been waiting to hear. He came marching into the kitchen, picking imaginary dirt particles from his jacket sleeves. Katie believed the policeman suffered from O.C.D or similar as she’d caught him dusting himself down or picking bits of earth from his clothing on dozens of occasions.

    “That’s us finished you’ll all be happy to hear. I can tell you that our next steps will be to bring in Douglas Galbraith for questioning. We will also try and locate his father or any relatives in Australia, and see what we can find out over there. Someone must know what happened to the children.”

    “I’d interview Mrs. MacDonald too. She’s been around for many years, and seems to be very attached to Galbraith these days,” MacBlaine prompted. “Besides, her mother used to clean the house when old Galbraith lived here. She might be able to shed some light on what happened?”

    Frazier nodded his head. “Yes, we’ve already had some information that confirms what you‘ve said. There are one or two other villagers we need to speak to as well. I can’t say for certain how long the investigation will last, but I can assure you we’ll keep you informed. After all, without all your help none of this would have come to light.”

    “Sometimes officer, I wish it hadn’t,” Mrs. Rusk said quietly.

    “It’s was a terrible crime that happened here Mrs. Rusk, and if we can bring to justice the person responsible then the children’s deaths won’t have been for nothing. You’ll have played a huge part in that, and for that reason alone you should feel immensely proud,” Frazier said, hoping to lighten the load he knew Grace Rusk was under.

    Grace Rusk smiled at him, and nodded politely, aware at what he was trying to do. “Thank you,” she said, offering what she hoped was a warm smile.

    Frazier returned the gesture before he turned and headed back out the kitchen.

    “Now we wait I guess,” Jimmy stated, as he pulled out a chair and plonked himself down hard on it.

    “Now we wait,” Mr. Rusk repeated.