Superstitious Death Read Online Free PDF

Pluke was acutely aware of stories of dogs seeing ghosts or being afraid to enter haunted places, or howling and whining in the presence of sudden or violent death. But this dog was showing none of those signs.
    ‘I am obliged to you for your courtesy in ringing us.’ Pluke’s appreciation was genuine. ‘Now, can you show me the precise route you used to reach the grave? PC Singleton has shown me but I would like you to show me too. I need to know exactly where you placed your feet, and if you can bear it, I would like you to show me how you brushed away the dirt from her face…’
    ‘Must I do that again?’
    ‘It would be of immense help to us,’ said Pluke.
    It was with some reluctance that the hiker retraced his steps and repeated his actions, but his acquiescence did please Pluke who noted his route, signified his approval and thanked Mr Wardle for his courage.
    ‘Now,’ continued Pluke, ‘I will need your full name and home address, and something to prove your identity. Then we shall need a formal written statement from you. My sergeant will attend to that, and once that is over, I need not detain you any longer. We might want to talk to you at length in due course, just to clarify any further points that might arise. You’re just passing through, you said?’
    Wardle provided Pluke with his full name and address – Michael John Wardle, 77 Wolverdale Avenue, Parkland Estate, Portrack-on-Tees, adding, ‘I was made redundant – I was a process worker in the chemical industry, Imperial Chemicals. Now I occupy my time walking. I got the bus to the road end this morning, and will catch one home this evening. In the meantime, I hope to do about twenty miles. I’m doing all the footpaths in North Yorkshire, one by one. I need to achieve something in my dotage!’
    ‘Far more satisfying than sitting at home watching television!’ nodded Pluke.
    ‘I never expected to find a dead body, though. What a shock! I’m not used to such dramas. I prefer to look for interesting examples of wildlife. I do try to identify the birds I see…’
    ‘Clearly a man of the countryside! Now, I must ask you this – is the young lady known to you?’
    ‘Good heavens no! I’ve never seen her before, ever.’
    ‘You’ve done this walk before?’
    ‘A long time ago, fifteen years perhaps. With a party from our ramblers’ club. The Tees Valley Ramblers.’
    ‘And you were alone on this occasion?’
    ‘Yes, most of my friends are still holding on to their jobs. I join them at weekends for organised rambles.’
    ‘You are not married then?’
    ‘No, I never found anyone who could make me happy. Except my dog.’
    ‘Well, Mr Wardle, before I hand you over to Detective Sergeant Wain, I need to complete one unpleasant task,’ Pluke told him.
    ‘Unpleasant?’
    ‘I need to search your haversack, Mr Wardle.’
    ‘Am I under suspicion?’ A look of horror crossed his face.
    ‘In the case of a suspected murder, Mr Wardle, everyone is under suspicion until formally eliminated. I have to see if there is anything in your belongings which might have been used to either kill the woman or bury her.’
    ‘Good heavens… I mean to say… I’m not sure I like this…’
    ‘If there is nothing in your bag, Mr Wardle, it would indicate you are not under suspicion.’
    ‘Well, of course I am not guilty… by all means search my haversack!’ and he swung it from his back and held it out for the detectives to take. Wayne Wain carried out a swift but thorough search before saying to Pluke, ‘Nothing incriminating, sir. Food, drink, extra socks, a bird book and a map.’
    He returned it to its relieved owner.
    ‘That pleases me immensely, Mr Wardle. So, Detective Sergeant Wain, can you take Mr Wardle to our car and obtain a statement?’
    ‘Yes, sir,’ nodded Wayne, indicating the car to Wardle. Mr Wardle, with his obedient dog at his heels, walked towards the knot of police vehicles at the quarry entrance as Pluke turned to PC