Dead Ground in Between by Maureen Jennings

Author:Maureen Jennings
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
Published: 2016-08-02T04:00:00+00:00

Tyler aimed his torch back inside the cupboard. “What else have we got?” He slid out a little bundle of comics. “Two Beanos, two Wizards, a Rover, and a Hotspur.” The dates ranged from August to just three weeks ago.

“Hello, what’s this?”

Tucked inside the Wizard were two small pieces of cardboard. On one was written the number 2204, on the other 2206.

“They look like the identification tags that evacuee children have pinned on them when they first arrive here,” said Mortimer. “Necessary but sad, I think. As if they’re parcels.”

“Well, no prizes for guessing who numbers 2204 and 2206 might be.” He turned the tags over. Sure enough, the names printed on the back were Jan Bakker and Pim Bakker. Tyler sighed. “Our lads were not telling us the truth, were they, Constable? It’s not likely you’re riding all over the countryside in bad weather with your precious tin of sweets and your favourite comics clutched to your bosom and then, by sheer chance, you discover a secret hideout which turns out to be the final resting place of a very dead body. In the midst of all that you have the presence of mind to locate a hidden compartment where you stash your treasures. All before going off for help.”

“They’d been here before, sir.”

“This is probably what you sensed they were hiding when you talked to them at the farmhouse.”

“I hope there aren’t other things they’ve been lying about. I must say, I’m becoming quite fond of the little rascals.” Mortimer’s expression was woebegone.

“Don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgment, Constable.”

“Don’t worry, sir. I won’t.”

—

The Cartwright household, together with Edie, were in the kitchen seated around the table. John had the Bible open in front of him. He had a wide black band on his sleeve. Susan Cartwright was dressed entirely in black, and the plainness of her frock made Tyler think of a housekeeper. She looked drawn and haggard.

Mortimer discreetly took a position by the door while Tyler delivered his news concerning Dr. Murnaghan’s findings.

John was the first to break the silence that fell upon the room.

“Stabbed!” he whispered. “By who? Who’d do that to Pa?”

“I don’t know as yet,” said Tyler. “But I am declaring his death an indictable offence.”

“What does that mean?” asked Susan.

“Let’s put it this way,” answered Tyler. “The coroner is sure that Mr. Cartwright was wounded shortly before he ended up in the hideout, although the stabbing wasn’t what killed him directly. He likely died soon after from exposure. Somebody was culpable, though, and I must determine who that person was.”

Tyler paused. John Cartwright stared down at the floor; his stepson wasn’t looking up either. Almost reflexively, Susan started to brush invisible crumbs from the table. Only Edie continued to focus on Tyler. Her eyes were wide.

“When we spoke before, you all said you heard nothing to indicate Mr. Cartwright had gone outside. I assume you all stand by that?”

One by one they nodded.

“I didn’t ask this question before because it didn’t seem necessary, but now it does,” he continued.

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