Water's Edge

Chapter XLIV

Lost Scholars

The Zee sped to The Marsh & Bottle. I at least knew no copper would be around to stop me speeding, as their cars sped past – lights off – to join Yazmin Womack and her investigation. She'd get in trouble 'cause of me. Poor lass.

When I got to The Marsh & Bottle there was no sign of the yellow Volkswagen. I parked a bit away and walked through the beer garden, checking everywhere for any sign of her. It was dead, a few alcoholic stragglers, and a couple of bearded fishermen types talking in a hefty Humberside dialect.

"Babbitt still hasn't—"

"Not now, Bux. You seen that lass I was with earlier?" I called to Lucy. She just shrugged and continued reading a magazine whilst another of the bearded grumblers tried to get her attention for a pint.

I found a corner and began to roll cigarettes even though my tin was still practically full. I always did this, a kind of meditation when the panic could easily set in. It was only when I got to twenty-five rolled that I realised no one was coming, and she hadn't replied to my text.

I checked what papers I had found. My trespassing had revealed some good results, organisations I could trace. I just couldn't be stopped now.

As if summoned, the door flung wide and two armed officers approached me, Chief Constable Elle Thompson between them. Coming from behind, DCI Womack. She got herself a glass of water and wouldn't look at me.

"I suppose you aren't happy with me." I said before she could get the first word in.

"You broke into a facility, falsified records with the help of a civilian, and are obstructing an ongoing homicide investigation. I should arrest you immediately."

Should? "Why aren't you?"

"Another body has been found." She skirted around the edge of the point, "Mrs. Wharton thinks you are of some value."

"Still?" Even I was surprised, "Who is the body?"

"A scholar by the name of Particular Babbitt."

She continued to tell me the details – how he had been found drifting down the estuary, how Edith knew the investigation had gone awry, how all loose ends needed tying – but I could only see Yazmin, how she had put her hand to the back of Cola Bux who had begun to sob at the bar. Particular Babbitt was dead.

But why? He had nothing to do with the dam.

"I know who killed Particular Babbitt, and that's my fault." I looked up finally, and Elle Thompson looked fit to burst, "Sorry..." I had interrupted her, "But I do know, and I know where to find them."

I stood up and headed for the door, "Are you arresting me?" I asked when the coppers stood in my way, "Or are you just wasting my time now?"

Thompson span me around to face her, "You spoke with Babbitt and then he died, why should I follow you?"

"Because together we've looked through every available option. Why didn't you arrest The Hælsings at the start of all of this? Why did none of us think to get them?"

"They don't do anything," It was Yazmin who spoke up now, still consoling Cola Bux weeping into his beer, "Bux is a Saxon, they're odd but they're not terrorists."

"What, like how the environmentalists are terrorists?"

Elle didn't like that one bit, "They are known associates of Extinction Rebellion. If anything Saxons have proven to be proud of their country, protective of it. Godwine Seamark is no different." Thompson nodded to one of the men and he unhooked his handcuffs.

I raised my hands, "Wait. We know it's not Wren and their lot because Barnaby was with them. We know Babbitt was killed by..." I couldn't finish, they were already handcuffing me, kicking the back of my leg to get me walking to the door, "Winthrop Suggitt was opposed to the dam!" I called out, giving Yazmin a look, "One last look!" I pleaded.

They all stopped. The coppers gave their Chief Constable a look, waiting for the order to be able to throw me into a back of a van and give me a clip around the ear. The air grew tense.

"I'll go with him." Yazmin perked up, and Elle shot her a look as if to fire her the moment they left the pub, "He's right, we know he is."

It was too obvious now. No one wanted it to be the obvious choice – the fascists in the woods – but it had turned out to be the case. Sometimes the obvious thing skips around the tip of our nose.

The handcuffs were unlocked.