Page 36 of A Treacherous Treasure

First, he went to make sure Fogg wasn’t currently digging in his spot on the Heywood estate. He was not. Then he rode to Fogg’s home.

When he knocked on the door, the servant who opened it told him the constable was not at home.

“Do you know when you expect him home?”

The servant did not.

Thomas got back on his horse and rode the short way to the home of the Justice of the Peace, Mr. Strader. Fortunately, both men lived less than ten miles from Heywood House and Wyghtworth.

Thomas was admitted to Mr. Strader’s home and into a room lined with bookshelves. The JP was seated in front of a window, and when Thomas entered, he rose from his chair and came around from behind his desk to greet him.

“What brings you here on this fine day, Mr. Westbrook?” His words were friendly but his tone was gruff.

“I have a serious matter to discuss with you.”

“You may speak freely.”

“No doubt you have heard of the murder of Arthur Heywood on his own property, his body found near a hole that was being dug in the ground.”

“Yes. Mr. Pursglove has been there to investigate. Do you have information about this suspicious death?”

“I believe I do. I found the man who has been digging on the Heywood property near my boundary line, who shot at Mrs. Heywood and no doubt is responsible for killing Arthur Heywood.”

“Oh?” Mr. Strader crossed his arms over his chest, then stepped back, bumping into his desk.

“Yes.”

“You say, you saw this person digging?”

“Yes. It was the constable, Mr. Fogg.”

Thomas watched Mr. Strader’s eyes. His expression didn’t change at the shocking information.

“That is surprising, indeed.”

In fact, Thomas could not tell that Mr. Strader was surprised at all. But perhaps he was good at hiding his feelings.

“I am sure you understand that I would like Mr. Fogg to be apprehended at once and bound over to the assize.”

“I see.” Mr. Strader stood staring at Thomas, a severe look on his face. “What evidence do you have?”

“I saw him digging near where the body was found. What other evidence do you need?”

“It is a serious matter to accuse a man of murder.”

“It is indeed, and even more serious to commit a murder.”

Mr. Strader raised his eyebrows.

“The man has already murdered my neighbor, shooting him in the forehead, and then he shot at the dead man’s wife with a rifle. For everyone’s safety, he should be apprehended at once.” Thomas could feel his blood rising. “I understand you have a dilemma, Mr. Strader, as no one wishes to believe in the corruption of the constable. But I saw him with my own eyes.”

“How sure are you that it was Mr. Fogg? Did you call out to him? Speak to him?”

“I know it was Mr. Fogg, and no, I did not call out to him.” Thomas resisted the urge to say something rude.

“How can you be sure it was him? Perhaps it was only someone who looked like him.”

“I know what Mr. Fogg looks like. I saw him very recently, and I saw his face while he was digging with a shovel, the same hole he was digging when Mrs. Heywood happened upon him.”