2.

Anne stood at the kitchen sink and stared out at the dimming late afternoon. It had taken her some time to compose herself after her discovery in the garden. But eventually she had managed stand up and walk inside and phone the Ballart police station. She made herself a very strong cup of tea while she waited for the Police and had just finished it when the hatchet faced sergant arrived. It had taken all her resolve to walk out to the garden with Sgt. Hobart and show him her find. Bill Hobart had looked down at the uncovered grave with a grimmer than usual expression on his face.

'One for the Doc and the Boss, I reckon' he muttered. 'Here miss, let's go back inside and I'll call in a report. This one is beyond my pay grade'. The sergant gently steered Ann back to the house. Ann had begun to silently weep again and he was uncomfortable. 'There, there, miss' He patted her arm as he walked her back into the house. 'Let's call the Boss and get this sorted'. Ann had been oddly comforted by this grim seeming man's offer of compassion.

Now both Dr. Blake and Chief Inspector Lawson were standing in the garden peering down into the shallow grave she had opened. Blake squatted down and looked more closely at the grisly find. 'Dear, oh dear, oh dear. Poor wee little babe' he spoke with a crack in his voice.

'What do you think?' asked Lawson softly.

'Very young. Proabably a newborn. Or maybe a miscarraige, hidden away in shame.' He gently brushed away some soil from the top of the skull with his handkercheif, revealing a crushed area of bone. 'No, not a miscarraige. This is old damage, not done by Ann's spade. No indeed. I can tell more when we get the remains to the morgue. These are old bones, a few years at least, there is little flesh left on the skeleton. And I suspect this child did not die naturally'

'Wonderful' snarled Lawson. 'Who would do such a thing!'

'Who indeed' replied the Doctor.

'Yes, well. I will arrange for the remains to be taken to the morgue. I doubt we will find anything but I will get Charlie and Bill to do a sweep of the area and surrounding bush as well. I would appreciate if you would have a talk with Miss Crandle. She seems very upset. Naturally, of course, but it looks like it has taken her especially hard'

The doctor glanced back at the pale face in the kitchen window watching them both. 'Hmm.' he grunted in agreement.

...

Ann watched in silence as Doctor Blake walked back to the house. He entered the kitchen noting the newly painted walls and brightly coloured tea towels hanging by the stove. It was a pretty, inviting room. Ann had already started to make it her own place. He noticed Sergeant Hobart hovering in the corner and beckoned him over;

'Bill, the Boss wants a bit of assistance. I'll sit and have a chat with Ann here for a bit until things are taken care of'

Bill glanced a bit uneasily at Ann, ' You'll be right with the Doc, Miss. He can help if anyone can'

'Oh I know that Sergeant'. Ann smiled shakely up at his sad face. ' Thank, you have been very kind. It has really helped having you here, and please, call me Ann.'

'ummm, rightyoh,' he mumbled

Doctor Blake noticed with silent amusement that Bill had turned a soft shade of pink as he made a quick getaway out the back door.

Turning to Ann he gestured to for her to take a seat with him at the kitchen table. He looked at her with concern as she seated herself. Ann was still pale and her face was drawn.

'Dear oh dear. You don't look well at all, Ann' he commented.

'No, well. I guess... I guess it was the shock. And, well you know, after my...'

'Yes, yes of course.' The sympathy in the Doctors voice almost made Ann start to cry again. But she swallowed hard and sat up straighter. Clutching her now cold cup of tea she looked at the doctor and asked; 'Why would anyone want to bury a baby in my garden? Who would do such a horrible thing? That poor child.' Ann gulped hard again.

'I don't know Ann. I just don't know. But I promise you I will do all I can to find out.' The Doctor paused. 'Ann, do you mind if I ask you a few things?'

Ann nodded her aqueisance.

'Well, you haven't been her long now have you? You only came to my surgery for the first time last week'

'Yes, that's right. I bought this place two months back and have just finished moving in. I came to see you almost immediatly because I wanted to know if it was safe for me to start working on the house.. and start painting again of course'.

The doctor smiled. 'Yes, you told me you were an artist - I remember now - you won the Castlemain Art prize recently. My mother was an artist as well. Its a tough profession for a woman, even today'

Ann snorted a bit, 'Well, women have to be tough in everything they do I guess'

'Hmmm. Quite. But tell me Ann, why Ballarat?'

'The countryside I think. And I saw the ad for this place in The Age and I needed to get out of Melbourne. It was the right price - I like the area - the Tynaman's gave me a very good price. And it is not so far from the city so I can keep in touch with the galleries there'

Blake's ears pricked up when he heard Ann mention the name Tynaman. 'The Tynaman's owned this? Patrick Tynaman?'

'No,' replied Ann, 'not Patrick, but his wife Susan. Apparently it had been her Aunt's place but she moved to Europe and didn't want it anymore. They were keen to sell, so I got a bargain. Funny though, there are still boxes of Aunt's stuff in the back room. I'll have move it all to turn it into a studio.'

'Indeed' said the Doctor. He reached over and gently patted her hand. 'Now, how are feeling? Can I get you anything to help you sleep? You know you still have to arrange for your medical records to come down from Melbourne, but I can give you something mild to help without worry'

A look of fear suddenly crossed her face, 'No, no, I am fine. Just shaken up. I'll be fine after a nights' sleep. And really, do you need those records right away?'

The Doctor was a bit bemused to see her sudden fear, but replied 'That's alright Ann, as soon as you can, it isn't urgent. I just like to know as much of my paitents medical history as possible though'

Ann shot him a look and nodded, 'Soon, Doctor, soon.'