From sirensbane: Trapped in ice
"It gives new meaning to the term 'stiff' I suppose." The young constable guarding the crime scene tried to joke with his relieving colleague.
"Yes, you could say that," the relieving constable mumbled. He still didn't like being in such close proximity to the victim's frosted body lying on the floor in the ramshackle outbuilding. The Inspector and the coroner had not yet arrived.
The constables' breath created puffs of condensation in the air as they spoke and both men stomped their feet on the icy ground to keep their toes warm. The grey sky did nothing to warm the freezing winter day.
~ooo~
"And you say no one has disturbed the scene since you're arrival, Constable Cory?"
"No, sir."
"Then where are the stolen gems?"
"I'm sorry sir. I couldn't say. No one has entered or exited this building without your express permission though. I'll swear to that!
A shadow darkened the doorway of the small outbuilding. "Good morning, Inspector Hopkins," Holmes nodded. "I see you have identified the victim?"
"Well," Hopkins stammered, "We are working on that. An anonymous tip did inform us this is likely a jewellery theft gone afoul."
"This is, or shall I say, was Peter Thimble. I believe you might remember him more by the name of Peter Pocket-picker."
"Ah, yes, of course," Hopkins tried to make a note but found his layers for warmth hindered the task.
"Now, the second question, gentlemen," Holmes spoke briskly, his nose by this time, rather pink from the cold, "where's the loot that our victim undoubtedly has stashed?"
"We're working on that," Hopkins gave the constable a pointed gaze.
The men poked around the one-room hovel for a few minutes while Holmes examined the frozen corpse.
"Sir!" Constable Cory cried out excitedly. "I think I found his stash."
"I don't see anything," Hopkins frowned.
"Here in this water bucket."
Holmes and Hopkins inspected the water bucket, now frozen solid. A lump of amorous objects, some rather shiny, was faintly visible through the ice.
"Well done, constable," Hopkins patted his man on the back.
Holmes smiled. "A clever way to lock up one's booty, trapped in ice."
A/N: Every Christmas season, either Holmes, Watson, or more likely, one of the Irregulars, falls through thin ice. I decided to try something a bit different this year. Hope it's not too wacky!