What is it this time," Mrs. Peel sighed. She had been tricked into taking
a lift in Steed's Bentley, by the debonair Steed.
"Well, there's been a murder," Steed explained.
"Only one? Aren't we usually called in when there is a series of
strange happenings," Mrs. Peel questioned irritatedley. If it weren't for
this case, then she would be able to find a present for Steed, the hardest
man to buy a gift for.
"This one is a bit.unusual," Steed explained. Mrs. Peel arched one
eyebrow, as if she didn't believe him. "I'll show you." He pulled over,
off the road, into a small alley. "This is the crime scene." He jumped
out of the car, helped Mrs. Peel out, and then went over to a small bundle
by the side of the back street. He lifted up the coat with the tip of his
brolly, revealing a pile of bones and clothing.
"How long has she been dead," Mrs. Peel questioned.
"Mrs. Peel, you amaze me! How did you know that the victim was a she?"
"Very simple," she answered dryly. "The victim is wearing a skirt, and
carrying a purse. Now answer my question, please."
"That's where the variation occurs."
"Variation?"
"The medical examiner says that the woman must have been dead for at least
twenty years. However, no one who disappeared twenty years ago would have
been wearing these fashions, nor would they have been able to decompose in
this alley, without someone noticing the foul stench."
"So," Mrs. Peel prodded. "When did this murder occur?"
"Yesterday," Steed replied.
"Steed, that's impossible," Mrs. Peel replied. "A body can't just
decompose entirely in twenty-four hours, especially not when it's this
cold."
Steed smiled wryly. "Now you know why we have been called in."
