......The backhoe stopped growling as Bill switched off the engine.

Ted started forward, curious to know what the delay was. It wasn't tea-break time yet. Bill climbed down from his cab and walked through the loose dirt. He stood staring down at something at his feet and pushed his cap back on his head. He slithered down deeper into the hole. Then he straightened up and struggled back up the side of the hole.

"Better take a look at this, Mr Hoff," he called. "There's something down there. Something 'orrible."

Harry slammed the door of the dump truck impatiently and joined Bill at the hole as Ted made his way towards them.

"What's wrong? What is it?" asked Ted

Bill pointed a dirty finger.

"Skeleton, Mr Hoff. Where the 'ell did that come from?"

Harry climbed down and looked carefully at the site.

"Not a skeleton, Bill. There's two of 'em. See? Two skulls."

The weight of the three men dislodged more dirt and the two skulls, which were close together, were plainly visible. The blood drained out of Ted's face and he reached out to steady himself on Bill's arm.

"You OK, Mr Hoff?"

"I'm fine," said the pallid Ted. "Better call the cops."

Back