Page 63

THE DAY AFTER THE SOLSTICE

DI WALKER IS CONFERRING WITH the fire brigade, checking no further casualties have been found inside The Manor, when a uniformed officer approaches. “We’ve just come across something else, in the woods, boss. I think you’ll want to come and have a look.”

Walker leaves Heyer in charge of the scene on the lawns. He and Fielding follow the uniform toward the woods, along a path that winds through a series of wooden cabins.

“They put the guests in those,” Fielding says, nodding at them. “Look like jumped-up rabbit hutches, don’t they? Five hundred quid a night.” He looks agonized. “The missus was on at me to book one for our ten-year anniversary. Give me Premier Inn any day. And if I want to have a bath outdoors I can stick one in the backyard...”

Walker’s barely listening. He’s looking at the trees. He tunes in as he hears Fielding say: “Funny thought...”

“What’s that?”

“No one’s going to stay in them now, are they? Never again. Got to be some kind of record, right? A hotel open for one weekend only.”

They’re nearly at the woods. Fielding glances at Walker, frowns. “You cold?” He must have clocked Walker’s involuntary shiver.

“Fine,” Walker says. “Think it’s cooler in this part of the grounds. Must be those long shadows.”

“Speak for yourself. I’m sweating like Bojo at a paternity test. Still, least it’s not as hot as it was yesterday. That was something else. Unnatural.” The branches of the trees on the edge of the woods suddenly convulse and fifty or so black birds explode into the air with a vicious cackling. “Christ!”

Walker manages to suppress his shudder this time.

“Lots of legends about this place,” Fielding says as they enter the wood. “Suppose it’d sound like total guff to a Londoner. But you gotta admit there’s an atmosphere.”

“Yeah,” Walker says, “I’ll give you that.”

Soon they’re passing through a clearing where several trees have been recently felled, the wood of the stumps wet and raw. Fifty yards ahead, Walker can see a small gaggle of officers, the bright flash of police tape being unfurled. Within the taped area he can just make out something that looks like a deep shadow on the ground. As they get closer, it’s revealed as a cavity. The length and depth of the rectangular hole are somehow universally recognizable.

His breath feels a little labored.

“Here we go,” Fielding says, quickening his pace.

A few steps farther and Walker can fully make out the ragged dark pit, clawed out of the earth by the jaws of some large machinery. The uniforms step aside for the detectives. And even though he is half prepared for what will greet him within, he takes a deep breath as he approaches.

He’s hit by the powerful scent of fresh-turned soil: a secret history just unearthed.