A Call From The Police
Peter settled down to the plan of attack on the kitchen garden , marking off areas with stakes and string , areas suitable for the variety of vegetables that were to be planted . He divided the larger bed into smaller areas and ensured that there was room here and there for a row of marigolds .

-- Marigolds with everything , he half chanted to himself the old companion planting mantra , and was about to launch into a mock hymn in praise of the flower , when Helen called him from the back of the house .

-- What's up ? he asked as he straightened and dusted off his hands .

-- I need you as a witness , replied Helen .

-- Witness ? You're not making a will or anything are you ? You'll need two for that !

-- No. That's long done . No , I have a slightly incoherent sergeant of police who has come knocking on the door and apparently thinks either you or I have murdered someone .

Peter hurried up to her and asked

-- Anyone in particular ?

-- Not that he seems to know for sure , though for a moment he mumbled something about the old lady. Should I take the risk of confusing him totally and telling him we disposed of her yesterday ?

-- Not a good option , I think . Let's go see what he is on about.

They moved into the front room , where the sergeant and the constable waited , with Bobby twiddling his uniform cap rather nervously . He smiled almost as if a feeling of relief when he saw Peter .

Peter moved towards the pair then stopped , and sniffed rather ostentatiously . It was a smell that he recognised from one or two of the wilder parties he had been a part of on his travels , especially in the East. It emanated quite strongly from the Sergeant .

Before either policeman could speak , Helen announced very firmly:

-- It seems that the reason for this visit is that some young boy from Rose Cottage has been in the top woods and discovered a body . The Sergeant seems a trifle confused about its origin , and wants us to go along and see it -- in situ -- I believe the phrase is .

Peter glanced at Bobby , who raised his palms in a gesture signifying it was no doing of his that the sergeant was exercising his authority .

-- No problem for me , said Peter.

Then , in irrepressible contradiction of what he had advised Helen , he added:

-- I've buried a couple of people in the last few days . One more would round it out nicely.

--- Peter !!! snapped Helen :

-- Enough of the Aussie humour !! Let's go with the officers and see what this is all about .

They all trooped out onto the drive , whereupon the sergeant officiously took the lead . He marched briskly ahead , while Bobby dropped back a little ready to speak to Peter , who beat him to it by remarking from behind a hand :

-- That's a nice shade of lipstick you're wearing!

Bobby flushed bright red , and took out a handkerchief to scrub vigorously around his lower face . He was still rubbing when they came to the trees near the break in the wall .

The sergeant turned to him and ordered :

-- Get rid of those people . This is a crime scene.

When Bobby approached the small but very curious group of people who had followed them up from the village , Mrs Day took an envelope from her apron pocket , and waved it at him .

-- I have every right to be here ! I have a request here from the Lady to see her on business .

Helen stepped over to her . She spoke to Bobby first , confirming what Mrs Day had said , but then she gently took the florist's arm and half whispered :

-- I think that this business will take precedence today . Would it be convenient for you to come tomorrow morning ? I expect that this will be cleared up by then.

Mrs Day took the opportunity to stare down the constable first , but then said to Helen :

-- Certainly . I will be here promptly at eleven .

But she still did not move very far away from the action .

The sergeant was waiting impatiently by a big tree , at the base of which the ground had been disturbed somewhat and as Helen and Peter approached he pointed triumphantly at what appeared to be a skull .

-- There now . What do you know about that !

Helen looked at him coolly and said :

-- Nothing . You , Peter ?

-- Ditto .

The sergeant harrumphed , and told them both :

-- Well , I want you down to the Station where you can make a statement.

-- You are being a trifle peremptory , said Helen icily ,

-- But I shall do so willingly .

And signalling Peter to join her she strode off down the lane , leaving a somewhat discomfited Sergeant to bumble along after them , with no real control over things at all.