MYSTERY: BRITISH MYSTERY: Missing Hearts (Amateur Sleuth Suspense Thriller) (Cozy Crime Detective Short Stories) (2 page)

“One of these days you’ll sniff at something that bites you back Annie!” Janey paused. “Annie? What you got into there girl?” Janey asked.

Both Janey and Benjamin stood up from the stone they were on and walked over to the dog. Lying at the foot of the stone was a rabbit. Benjamin leaned forward to inspect it and pushed the dog away.

“Looks like we’ve got some new age nutcases up here again.” He sighed. “They’ve done a bit of a number on this poor bugger. Looks like they’ve cut its heart out and stuffed it under the edge of the stone.” He reached down and picked up the carcass of the slaughtered rabbit and walked it over to a nearby group of bushes laying it down out of sight.

“Let’s go Ben” Janey said. “I can’t be doing with lunatics today. What some people will do for their so called beliefs is just bloody crazy and sick sometimes.”

Benjamin came over to put an arm over her shoulder and steer her back to the track back home.

“George will be pissed someone’s bagged his lunch anyhow. Let’s get home, aye?” he said as they made their way down off the moor.

J
aney had mentioned
the incident with the dead rabbit in the circle to her mother and had been met with a glare of disgust and little else apart from the word ”peasants” as Monique climbed the stairs back to her study.

It was a couple of weeks later that Janey noticed, as she was opening the café, several police cars and the search and rescue teams passing through the village.

She reached inside her pocket for her phone and called Benjamin. The phone rang for a while before Benjamin answered.

“Hi princess, how’s it going down in Sleepyville?” Benjamin asked.

“Hardly sleepy this morning darling, have you seen all the police cars and search and rescue? Did I miss something?” Janey replied.

“Yes, I’m just getting the update on it from Bill. He’s on the search team. Says a couple went walking on the moors last night and haven’t returned to their B&B. Mrs. Perriwinkle is panicking and called the cops first thing. They are all paid up and everything but she says they’re a sweet couple and hopes they are okay. I think she’s more worried about breakfast going to waste. You know what a miser she is? Anyway, the crews are out and I’ll bet they ended up miles from where their GPS was telling them and spent the night in another pub somewhere. I’ll let you know if any news comes back this way dear.”

“Well it isn’t that difficult to follow a path surely, even at night? These townies can be a proper pain sometimes. Still, business is good so hopefully they’ll be hungry when they get found and come and spend at my café. I’ll be up there later this afternoon honey and we’ll talk then.”

Janey went behind the counter and began preparing salads and setting out her display for the day. Her mother sauntered into the shop and gave her a peck on the cheek. Janey told her the news about the missing walkers.

“City people really should stay in the city dear, they are not in any way capable of living like normal human beings within nature. They should be happy looking at pictures of it on their televisions. I’m sure the police will find them somewhere.”

“I’m glad you’re so concerned, Mother. We need those city folk to keep our heads above water.” Janey replied.

“Bah! Whatever. It might be wise though if you keep off the moors for a while dear. Allow the authorities to do their job and keep out of the way right?” Said Monique.

“Well Annie will need her walk, but yes we’ll keep out of the way of the search parties.” Janey replied.

“Good girl. Now I shall be in my study if you need me. I have some urgent research to do today.” Monique said as she left the shop and climbed the stairs, leaving Janey to deal with whatever the day might bring in to the café.

After another long and busy day in the café, Janey went out the back to put a leash on Annie and the pair of them set off up the road towards the pub.

She hadn’t gone far before the sleek BMW pulled up alongside her. The window slid down and Van Lomas leaned out.

“Could I offer you a ride somewhere Jane? It is Jane isn’t it?” Van Lomas said.

“It is Janey, yes.” Jane replied “But thank you no, I think the dog would prefer to walk. Thanks all the same.”

“As you wish, Jane. Another time perhaps.” Van Lomas retorted closing the window and driving off.

Janey shuddered as he departed. He was certainly a very handsome man with impeccable manners but something about him made Janey’s blood run cold. She continued on towards the pub.

As she was about to open the front door of the pub, George came barrelling out followed by two of the visitors. They bundled him across the carpark and Annie began barking at them.

“What the hell is going on!” yelled Janey.

The men stopped and turned to look at Janey scowling as they dropped George to the floor.

One of them muttered at her.

“The drunken idiot spilled a whole tray of my drinks. He needs some manners knocked into him.”

“I might suggest, you won’t be the one to do it,” came a voice from the door. It was Benjamin. “Get yourself inside Janey. It’s just a misunderstanding I’m sure we can sort it out peacefully.”

Janey took Annie into the pub and gazed out of the window as Ben and the men carried on the discussion outside. George had got himself back on his feet and was looking rather shamefaced in front of Benjamin. Eventually, Benjamin and the two men returned to the bar as George made his way out of the carpark and home. Slightly bruised but thanks to Benjamin, not battered.

Benjamin sidled past the other barman and pulled himself a pint and poured Janey a large glass of wine. He returned from behind the bar and guided her into their favourite quiet corner.

“The diplomat as ever Ben. What was all that about?” Janey asked.

“Nothing serious. George is a bloody clumsy idiot sometimes. I’ve told them I’ll stand to pay the lost drinks but anymore of the hard-man act and the whole lot of them will be barred. Can’t really afford to lose the custom so we’ll have to hope it all calms down, right?” Benjamin replied.

“No, we need the trade certainly. We can barely keep up at the café but we need the business. What’s the news on the missing walkers?” Janey asked.

“Nothing at all. Seems they had headed up to the circle and disappeared into thin air. Not that that can happen but the search and rescue team know that moor like the back of their hands. If they can’t find them nobody can. It’s really strange.” Benjamin replied.

“If you’ve finished your shift let’s take Annie for a walk. That Van Lomas guy is giving me the creeps. He tried chatting to me on the way here. Something about him I don’t like at all,” Janey said glaring across the room to where Van Lomas was sitting surrounded by his associates including the two from the fracas earlier with George.

“Okay, drink up. I could use the air too.” Benjamin replied and together they wandered out of the pub and onto the path that led up to the moors.

Soon they were approaching the stone circle and Janey halted. “Mum suggested we stay off the moors for a while until the walkers are found. Perhaps she’s right?”

“Janey we’ve been on these hills since forever, right? Not like we can get lost is it? And I’m sure Annie will take good care of us.” Benjamin replied.

Annie was bounding and sniffing around the circle and as Benjamin approached he too suddenly froze. “Just wait here a minute Janey, I see something I think you’d rather not see” he said.

He moved closer into the circle to see that at least half a dozen animals were now spread around the stones. Each animal had its heart plucked out and planted in the ground at the foot of a stone. He shook his head as he moved from stone to stone calling Annie away from the corpses. Then he turned to Janey.

“Perhaps, today at least we’ll give the circle a miss and walk back, right?”

“What is it Ben?” Janey asked.

“Some lunatic cutting up the wildlife again. I’m not cleaning up after them this time, let’s just get gone dear” Benjamin replied.

As they wandered back to the village they met George heading up onto the moor. His head was hanging heavy and his ears were buried in his poacher’s jacket even in the warm summer sun as he moved towards them.

“Hey George! Have you recovered?” Yelled Benjamin to the advancing but unaware George.

George looked up startled and mumbled to himself before coming to join them on the path.

“Yeah I’m fine. Listen, something isn’t right with them outsider folk. Look at their hands next time you’re serving. They all seem to be wearing the same kind of ring. If it’s a club it’s a weird one alright. That and someone has been going round here emptying my traps. Not a one had anything in it today. Who the hell goes stealing from another guys traps I ask you?”

Benjamin and Janey looked at each other then back to George. “I think you might find some of your catch at the stone circle. Seems some crackpot has been using your lunch to decorate the stones.” Benjamin said.
George stared at them both and then glanced over towards the circle. “Best I go take a look myself, aye? This is not good. Not good at all. Folks got a living to make you know? Not good at all. I’ll see you back at the pub if I’m still allowed in that is.”

Benjamin grimaced a bit then nodded. “Yes you can come back in but no more of that nonsense with the tourists and mind your own business with them. I can’t afford to lose that amount of custom for you George. Friend or not.”

George nodded and mumbled something under his breath before smiling and nodding too. “I shall be the epitome of a good customer Ben, I promise. I’ll see you in an hour or so after I reset my traps. See you later Janey.” With that he made his way over to the circle.
Benjamin and Janey continued down the path to the village and into the café.

Sat in the café was Daniel Van Lomas. He had a cup of tea sat in front of him. He smiled at Janey as she entered. “So we meet again Jane. You’re mother has told me so much about you and this wonderful café of yours.”

Janey scowled at the informality. “I hope everything is to your satisfaction Mr Van Lomas. I’m sure you have met Benjamin, my fiancé,” she finished.

“Fiancé indeed. You are a lucky man Benjamin. Perhaps I could invite you both to dinner at the farm some evening.” Van Lomas asked.

“I don’t have that much free time of an evening running the pub, but thanks all the same.” Benjamin replied.

Van Lomas raised himself from the table, nodded his head to Janey and Benjamin and left the café.

“The damn cheek of that man, really!” Janey exploded.

Benjamin was smiling as he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Fiancé am I? Well that came as news to me, but I like the sound of it. I accept.”

“You accept what?” Monique said as she came into the shop from the back.

“I accept Janey’s proposal of marriage Monique. I’m her fiancé apparently.” Benjamin said.

“Oh? I thought you’d been engaged for years. Nobody tells me anything it seems. I see the Van Lomas creep has left. Did he leave a tip?” Monique replied.

Janey glanced at the table. “No it seems you’re service of his tea was less than accommodating Mother. Never mind.”

Monique sneered and turning abruptly around, went back into the house.

Benjamin said his goodbyes and made his way back to the Cow and Calf. The first thing he noted as he got to the carpark was the police car parked outside.

“Not again George, surely?” He muttered to himself as he opened the front door. Standing at the bar was a police constable. He was the local law enforcement around here and knew everyone in the village more or less.

“How’s it going young Benjamin? You got a few minutes?” Asked the constable.
“Of course, what seems to be the problem? No news on the missing couple I take it?” Benjamin replied.

“Not a sniff of them anywhere. Which is why I’m here Ben. Seems we are losing people rather rapidly round here these days. Very clumsy of us.”

“You mean there’s more?” Benjamin asked.

“Aye lad. Seems a car has gone missing with four people in it. Last seen in here yesterday afternoon. The car and the passengers all disappeared like they never existed. Now two people walking on the moors is careless, but then to lose another four and the motor is a bloody disgrace don’t you think?” The constable said.

Benjamin settled himself on a bar stool next to the police officer and gave a deep sigh.
“I feel really bad they were in here last thing, but it gets so busy I doubt I would know them or when they left, sorry. Has anyone reported the weird stuff up at the circle, too?”

“What weird stuff?” The constable asked.

“The animals getting spread all over the stones up there. Like they are being sacrificed or something. The place is starting to stink. That circle can be like a lunatic magnet sometimes but this is well weird” Benjamin replied.

“No I haven’t heard about that. I’ll maybe have a word with George next time I see him. I know he’s a busy lad up there. Maybe he’ll know what’s going on and can let me know.”

“No we saw him earlier up there. He was as confused as us” Benjamin replied.

“Fair enough lad, I’ll take a look up there sometime as soon as I’ve finished running round after the missing tourists."

The constable downed his pint of bitter and left the pub. Benjamin stayed sitting on the stool pondering the day’s events. His revere was broken by a hand patting his back.
“Do we serve ourselves here or patiently wait to die of thirst?” It was George. George clambered onto his favourite bar stool in the corner of the bar and smiled over at Benjamin.

“Coming right up George, sorry. Learn anything up at the circle?” Benjamin asked.
“Nothing that makes any sense, and I was talking to the copper outside before he left. Sounds like some more folk are missing too. Don’t know about you Ben lad but there’s something smelly going on around these parts.”

I
t had been
some days since the last trip to the stone circle and Benjamin had been paying attention more to the visitors. They had all been here a while now and never caused any trouble, but in little villages like this out in the countryside, a newcomer could still be considered a stranger, an outsider for decades. Benjamin had now of course noticed the strange rings many of them wore even Van Lomas. He’d also noticed how they always seemed to appear sombre and quiet whenever Van Lomas arrived. He had some sort of control over them, it seemed apparent to Benjamin.

When Janey arrived at the pub with Annie for their walk, Benjamin convinced her a change of scenery might be in order and a walk down to the woodland below the village might be the answer.

“Mother has been nagging me to stay off the moors Ben, but I didn’t expect you to be so nervous about it. Is everything okay?” Janey asked.

“Everything is just fine sweetheart I just don’t think we need to go pushing at something that needs pulling perhaps. Right?” Benjamin replied.

“For now sure, but Annie likes to run and she loves the moors. I won’t be driven off there forever. The woods are too full of bugs. Annie might get ticks and fleas. That and I come up in a rash if those bloody mosquitoes start biting.” Janey said.

“There’s a nice breeze and it’s warm. We won’t be bothered by bugs today. Relax and enjoy the change for a while.” Benjamin replied.

As Benjamin had promised, the woods were a cool respite from the warm summer sun with no bugs and biters to disturb the day or Annie. Annie was happy to forage and roam amongst the fallen leaves and branches and slowly they made their way back to the café.

Monique was waiting for them at the door and sat inside, at one of the tables, was the local constable drinking tea.

“Ben, Janey, good to see you both. We seem to have something of a situation developing. This might sound strange but four
more
people seem to have lost their way. They were travelling here from Bakewell. To your pub actually Ben, yet they never arrived. This time we have something of a clue.”

“What sort of clue?” asked Benjamin, taking a seat at the table with the policeman.

“One of the women passengers called her daughter before leaving Bakewell to tell them where they were heading. Then half an hour later she called again saying a car had forced them off the road and a gang of people were climbing out and coming towards them. Her daughter said she sounded terrified and immediately called us of course. We’ve searched every road between here and Bakewell and not a sign of either a crash or anything else for that matter. Damn strange.” The constable finished.

“We’ve been walking in the woods. If they’d turned up at the pub I wouldn’t know anyway.” Benjamin replied.

“Yes I was up there earlier and you’d already left. I just want you to keep an eye out for a possible group of stragglers that might turn up later. It could quite well be them and I’d like to have a word if it is. If that’s okay with you of course. Just give me a call.” The policeman said.

“Yes, yes of course I will.” Benjamin replied as the constable rose from the chair and made his farewells.

Benjamin and Janey both turned to look at Monique who was fussing around behind the counter. “That’s ten people missing, Mother, in the space of a couple of weeks. What the hell is going on?” Janey exclaimed.

“Well it sounds to me like they’ve got into some of that road rage those townsfolk seem to suffer from. I’m sure they will turn up dear. Probably at Ben’s pub desperate for a drink. Who knows?” Monique replied.

They settled down to a cup of tea as Monique made her excuses and left for her study.
Benjamin made his way back to the pub, leaving Janey home at the café. He met George on the way up and together they discussed the new events. George was animated all the way to the pub as he waved his arms around describing the mess of animals on the stone circle. The moors were awash with big, fat rabbits and game birds for those smart enough to trap them, but what really upset George was the fact they were robbing his snares.

Arriving at the pub Ben was looking at the parked cars in the hopes of finding the one that had gone missing from Bakewell. Not that he knew exactly what he was looking for but he looked anyway. He caught up with George who was already standing at the bar waiting for his first pint of the evening.

George, after taking possession of his drink leaned over to whisper to Benjamin.

“Looks like the ring crowds all in tonight Ben. I’m thinking I might do a head count and see how many of them are wearing one.”

“Leave it be George and I’ll treat you to that pint. But just steer clear of them right?” Benjamin replied.

“Well I’ll tell you this much Ben, whatever has been going on round here of late, these folk have something to do with it. That much I know. I can smell ‘em I can. Sober or drunk, I know these folk are up to no good.”

They were interrupted by the arrival of Van Lomas. He arrived at the bar smiling at Benjamin. “A vodka martini please barman. I see your fiancée isn’t with you tonight. You haven’t left her alone have you?”

“She’s with her mother, preparing the café for tomorrow thanks.” Benjamin retorted sharply. He took the money Van Lomas offered and thrust back his change. Van Lomas moved over to the lounge to sit with his awaiting acquaintances.

“You notice how they all move around to fit him in. I bet he doesn’t pay for another drink all night. Treat him like royalty they do. Mind, he must have some money to afford that farmhouse and the fancy car.” George said.

Apart from us poor idiots that were born here, the only folk that can afford anything in these parts is rich outsiders George. You know that.” Benjamin replied.

“Right enough, but I’ve never seen one get treated like some sort of royalty though, have you?” George said.

“No you’re right enough. Oh well, we never will be that’s a fact. Maybe they are all from one of those funny hand-shake groups and he’s the big banana. Who knows?” Benjamin replied.

“Aye and maybe they are some sort of sick religious cult that steals animals from my traps for weird orgies up on the stone circle.” George said as he slid back into his corner of the bar.

The conversation was interrupted as one of the visitors arrived at the bar for an order of drinks. Both Benjamin and George were observing the ring on his finger as he paid.

George gave a nod and tapped the side of his nose with a smile as the man left to take the round of drinks back to the table.

Just after midnight Benjamin gave a ring of the last orders bell to an almost empty pub. One or two stragglers made their way for a last drink and eventually the pub was deserted and quiet. He spent the next half hour clearing up tables and loading the glass washing machine before heading upstairs to bed.

He was shattered from the heavy day and worried over the missing people and of course the earlier conversation with George. Devil worshippers were the last thing this place needed. The old stone circle had attracted its fair share of crackpots over the years. All doing their thing to do whatever it was they thought they would do to embrace nature, but usually it was just an excuse for naked romps in the fresh air. Nobody came to any harm and nobody was any wiser to the orgies up there. It would always be so. Devil worshippers though, were a whole different ball game. Somebody could get hurt. That would be bad for the person getting hurt and bad too for the village and business. All this swirling through his head didn’t stop Benjamin falling asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.