Chapter 65

At dusk, Bogdan escorts Elizabeth up the hill toward the Garden of Eternal Rest. Bogdan asks about Stephen’s poor condition and hints that Elizabeth put something in Stephen’s coffee, but Elizabeth deflects. As they pass Bernard Cottle’s usual bench, Elizabeth reflects that Bernard seems to guard the cemetery and wonders what Bernard would lose if the development went ahead.

Bogdan leads Elizabeth through the cemetery gates and asks for her trust. Bogdan reveals that he knows Elizabeth is not really called by the name she has been using because he has seen bills in the study, but he accepts the deception. Bogdan makes Elizabeth promise not to tell the police or anyone else before he shows her what he found.

While Elizabeth waits by a statue, Bogdan digs up an old grave. Elizabeth expects he may have discovered hidden money, but Bogdan instead reveals bones: one body inside the coffin, where it belongs, and another, newer set of bones outside the coffin.

Bogdan explains that he found the bones on the morning Ian Ventham was murdered and delayed reporting them because he wanted time to think and did not trust the police. Elizabeth concludes that the discovery is probably significant and tells Bogdan that, for now, they should not involve the police.

Elizabeth asks Bogdan to fill the grave back in to give her time to think. As Bogdan works, Elizabeth decides she must call Austin for guidance and reflects with affection on Bogdan’s loyalty, diligence, and discretion.