Storymania - Clouds Across The Moon by C A Steen

Clouds Across The Moon
C A Steen

The headlights picked there way down the narrow lane, it was early winter and a keen frost was Showing on the trees. Inspector West yawned it looked like being another long day. Sergeant Carter his assistant had phoned him at something like 05 30 am bloody hell West mused it seamed like a week ago. Do you realise what bloody time it is he had yelled down the phone. Sorry sir came the soft reply but there is an urgent problem here that needs your attention before you go of to London today. Ok sergeant West had said I will be there in half an hour put some coffee on Carter.

The car lurched heavily as he hit the potholes causing him to ease up on the speed. Shortly the track levelled out so west gunned the throttle again as the lane became wider. The first left hand bend was fine but as he went into the right hand one the back end slid out. With the expertise that only comes with police driver training West turned the wheels into the skid and eased down a touch rounded the next bend and the lights of the house came into view. Tyres crunched on he gravel as West pulled up at the front entrance.

Tyrant Carters German shepherd dog came bounding out of the house with a growl, but as West alighted he began to wag his tail in recognition o k boy its only me go fetch your master. Carter appeared at the door hello sir he said sorry about this. They went into the front room with Tyrant tagging on behind. Usual two sugars with the coffee sir yes please Carter said West. Moments later seated in the leather armchairs Carter began to explain the urgent call that had brought his boss out at this early hour.

Two boys came round to tell me they had been playing a ball game and found a tube shaped cylinder nose down in some gorse bushes they tried to pull it out but were unable to and they thought they had better tell me about it. I took Tyrant and followed the boys to see it for myself its there alright Sir, Tyrant here did not like it he would not stop barking at it. There are some strange markings on it I could not make them out. Did you touch it Carter?. No Sir . You say the boys did .Yes Sir tried to pull it out. Do you know them? Yes Sir they live just the other end of the woods there is a small village called Crickwood. Good get over there and get some statements. Meanwhile I will get on to the bomb disposal unit Ill leave you in charge Carter and get the bomb squad to met you here keep me informed ill see you on my return from London and this dame conference.

Two Days Later.

Once again Inspector West and Carter were drinking coffee this time at police headquarters. As it turned out West was saying the boys were very lucky they only received minor radiation burns. The container with the isotope onboard fell from an F 16 returning to its base in Wiltshire after a routine patrol dam good job the warhead wasn’t armed. Talking of heads sir some ones head will roll over that .Yes quite so said west .Have they found the head of the corpse yet Sir?. No they are still digging in the area where the bomb was found. What happens now Sir, We wait I suppose the forensic team are trying to get some D N A Samples from the remains. Meanwhile we will see if we can get to know some of the past history of this place. You go to the local library Carter , I am going to visit Crickwood and interview the residents. It was approx 14 20 hrs as West parked the unmarked police car in the Crickwood small car park his first call was at the local Post Office. Having had coffee and a chat with the Post Master he headed for the local garage after hearing that Tom Baits was the one of the eldest residents of crickwood having lived there all his life. As luck would have it West arrived at the crickwood garage just as Tom Baits returned from testing a repaired vehicle. He introduced himself and shook hands.

Tom took West to the office above the garage. Drink said Tom .No thanks just had one. What can I do for you Chief Inspector is it about that thing they found in the woods?, Well indirectly said West more what was found under it.

I am informed that there used to be a monastery near here many years ago. That’s right said Tom you can see some of the old ruins on the east side of the woods before my time of course. According to your Post Master a Mr Johns walked out on his wife some years ago and has never been seen again since. Ya that’s right said Tom I knew him funny chap he was, any family said West ?. Not that I know of he was a drinker you know used to knock his wife about, story is she kicked him out.

When was that said West?, oh about four years ago about February 1998 just disappeared he did. Thanks for your time said West that’s ok said Tom always pleased to help the law anytime bye.

West headed back to the car park. He arrived back at H Q around 18 00 hrs and was at his desk sorting some notes and papers in his in try and papers from the London Conference when there was a knock on the door, come in he said. Carters head appeared around the door Ah Sargeant how did you get on at the library?.

Carter was about to speak West stopped him you hungry he said ? famished Sir. Good organise a couple of pizzas and some coffee then we can compare notes. Right Sir Carter headed for the front desk got P C Jones to telephone the tuck shop and then made his way to the staff kitchen to make the coffee dropped a cup off for P C Jones on his way back to West s office. Twenty minuets later they were feeding their faces .

West taking a sip of his coffee said well Carter what did you learn at the library? Carter started to explain about the monastery West cut him short, yes yes Carter I know about that anything else ?, Yes Sir there was a missing person report back in 1998, Ah yes said West name of Johns no doubt, Yes Sir how did , Never mind West cut in get P C Jones to bring the missing persons files never mind he said and picked up the phone and rang the front desk. Ten minuets later the files were on his desk. Right Carter lets get started on these. About an hour past West sat back and yawned who would want to be a copper he said. Carter nodded and then exclaimed hang on Sir I think you might change your mind this is it.

Johns. Pete Johns disappeared February 98. last known address 34 Bloomers Avenue Crickwood. The report says his wife didn’t kick him out he just walked out he was last seen at The Royal Oak. According to the Landlord he left there at closing time with a bottle of gin and was never seen again the night was the 15 February.

Time to call it a day now Carter go home and get some sleep I am bushed. Ok Sir see you tomorrow good night Sir. On his way home it rained very heavily so hard that the windscreen wipers couldn’t cope and West had to slow down suddenly an idea came into his head. After getting in he shook the rain off his coat in the hall kicked off his shoes and headed for the bedroom he was so tired he lay still dressed on the bed and was asleep in seconds.

The Dream.

West was walking along a path there was a full moon it was raining hard there was lightening. There was dark clouds passing across the moon, the wind howled. On the right hand side of the path was a high wall it looked like some kind of a ruined building. The wall seamed to be shaking West slipped on the muddy path, as he fell he woke up with a jolt. At 09 00 hrs that morning West rang the Met Office. The Met Office confirmed that the night of the 15 of February 1998 had been just such a night. Later that morning West rang the local council and they confirmed that there had been a land slide in the area of the old monastery only a few feet from where the bomb had fallen. Had it not been for the mishap with the bomb falling the mystery of Johns disappearance my never have been solved. Later that evening as West and Carter walked to the car Carter remarked about the lovely Moonlight night and said I still cant see how you figured it out Sir. Clouds across the Moon Carter .