Chapter One

Some weird objects are handed in at Bath Police Station.

    WPC Enid Kelly, on desk duty this afternoon, sneaked a look at the Asian man who had brought in a pizza box. She was sure of one thing: it didn't contain a pizza. She just hoped it wasn't a snake. She had a dread of snakes.

    "How can I help you, sir?"

    The man had the black tie and white shirt of a security guard. He lifted the box up to the protective glass partition. No air-holes. Officers on duty learn to watch out for any container with holes punched in the top. But there was a bulge. Something bulkier than a pizza had been stuffed inside. Bulkier than two pizzas. "This I am finding at Roman Baths."

    "What is it?"

    The man glanced at the other people in the waiting area as if they might not wish to hear. Leaning closer to the glass, he said, "Can I pass through?"

    "Just a moment."

    Enid Kelly turned for support to the sergeant filling in a form at the desk behind her. He came to the glass.

    "What have you got here, sir?"

    "Some person's hand, I am thinking."

    "A hand?"

    "A hand I said."

    "It was in this box?"

    "No, no, no. My lunch was in box. Tomato and mushroom pizza. This was best thing I could find to carry hand in."

    "Let's see