Janice Dobbie Mystery of the West (Story

MYSTERY OF THE WEST

I found these early morning walks most exhilarating; the fresh air, the silence, the salty tang and the wind in my hair, while straining with Duke on the lead, my little Western terrier, across the firm sands. I often wondered just who was taking who for a walk. After some struggles with him this morning, I let him off the lead and I followed on at a more leisurely pace. He bounded across the beach chasing birds, barking at the seagulls, nosing into crevices and thoroughly enjoying himself. It was just coming up to 7.00 a.m., a lovely way to start the day. My thoughts took in the beauty all around me. The peace, the water’s edge, the tide gently lapping just a few feet away. The tide had turned just about midnight and was now on its way out. Few people walked this stretch early morning and that was one of its attractions.

Suddenly I was shaken out of my reverie by a loud barking. What was happening? I looked up to see Duke frantically barking and scrabbling into the sand about 200 metres along. I started to run towards him, shouting as I went “Stop that, come back here.” All was to no avail. He continued. Eventually I got him, pulled him back and put him back on the lead. The sight, which met me, was not what my early morning walk had prepared me for. No wonder Duke had been so excited. Was he shocked too? There on the pale sand lay the body of a beautiful young woman face down in the ground. Thick jet-black hair lay over her shoulders. She seemed to be maybe early twenties and was wearing a cotton blue and black floral dress. She wore one black shoe, so where was the other? My first reaction was that she could be my daughter and then reality hit and I began to shiver. I didn’t know what to do. She was just so beautiful. All this time Duke was straining and barking, barking, barking. I longed to tell him to be quiet but I just couldn’t. Suddenly by my side a voice said “Is there something wrong? I heard the dog.” I pointed to the girl. “Oh we must call the police.”

Immediately he got out his mobile and called them. Why didn’t I think of that? In a relatively short time, Gardai arrived and took in the scene. “Who found the body?” “I did. Well Duke did. My West Highland terrier.” “I see. We’ll need to ask you some questions, but you’re shivering.” He detailed a young woman to get me some tea and a blanket for which I was grateful. I didn’t say much, just talked about our morning walks on the beach then how Duke had taken off this morning and started to scrabble and bark. “She is so young and beautiful – like my daughter.” I wondered then who she was and where was she from? Was there a mother anxiously waiting for her to come home? I remembered the feeling well. The senior officer came back and asked how I was. He told us “We think she’s been dead for about 4 hours but we’ll know more later.“ “The tide turned at midnight – what would she be doing out here four hours ago? Do you think she jumped? Or was pushed? Surely it couldn’t have been an accident?” “As I say, we’ll know more later.” “The ring.” I whispered. “The ring.” He repeated “What about it?” “Did you notice the Claddagh ring?” “You’ll have to explain.” “It has special significance; can be used as a wedding ring, engagement or friendship ring depending on the way it is worn. Check which hand it is on and which way the heart is pointing and it will tell you a lot.” “Come with me and show me.” They went back to the girl and found the ring was on her left hand with the heart towards her fingertips showing that she was indeed, engaged to be married. He was not from this area and did not know the story of the Claddagh ring. “So now there is a fiancé in the picture as well.” “I think the best thing for now is to get you home and tomorrow we will call and see if you are up to some questions, though you have been of great help already. Meantime we will get back to the station. We need to