Abacus

the find, as well as five hundred metres west and east of here. We need to know what the riverbed consists of, whether there are snags etcetera. I also want a temperature to help plot the rate of decomposition and the approximate length of time it’s been in the water. You got that?”
    “Yes , boss, on it,” he replied scribbling notes.
    “ Leanne, I want you to stay and assist with me with the scene analysis.” Randall knew Leanne’s forensic background would be helpful in this case. “Sheik, can you organise a canvas of the surrounding houses and business which front the park. I want to know if they saw anything, if they know anyone who habitually walks the riverbank, especially if they do so with a dog. Early tomorrow morning we are going to need our people here in the park to speak to any walkers and anyone with a dog. You right with that?”
    “Yeah , sure, boss,” he replied heading towards the car park. At that moment Randall saw the forensic car arrive with a familiar face on board; his old friend, Detective Brian May. Randall chuckled to himself, which caught the eye of Leanne.
    “ What’s so funny? Who’s the forensic guy we’ve got?” Leanne asked.
    “Don’t worry , my dear, we’re in good hands. He’s a good mate of mine, Brian.”
    Making his way with arms full, Brian hit the area of soft muddy grass that had earlier caught Randall out. Once aware of the obstacle, Brian tiptoed the rest of the way.
    “Oh yeah , watch out for the slippery grass, mate.”
    Brian smiled. “Thanks for the warning.”
    “Anytime,” Randall said with a grin.
    “It looks to be a good day for it, Sergeant,” Brian said looking into the skies.
    “ It’s about bloody time you got here, you old bastard,” Randall said dryly. “Me and the head were quickly running out of things to talk about.”
    Brian laughed. “Yeah right, sure you’d run out of bullshit to talk about.”
    With formalities aside, Randall reached forward and shook Brian’s hand. “How you been, mate?”
    “Good, good , and you?”
    “No qualms, you know, having a good morning with the kids and get another call out. ”
    “Same here , mate,” Brian said. “It’s bloody nonstop these days.”
    Extending his arm, Randall intro duced Leanne. “Brian, this is Leanne, she is one of my best. I have brought her along to keep you honest and make sure you don’t stuff this up. She is very handy with scenes.”
    Bri an reached across and shook Leanne’s hand. “Don’t listen to him.”
    “ I know he is full of it,” she added.
    “Well , you should feel sorry for me,” he said, unclipping his camera case. “I went to the bloody academy with him. I’ve had to put up with his crap ever since.”
    Randall and Brian went back a long way. Of all the people at the Forensic Unit Randall thought the most of Brian, not just because of their long standing friendship but due to his ability. “So what have we got?” Brian asked, flicking the cover of his notebook open.
    “ You’re gonna make me go through the whole bloody thing again, aren’t you?” he complained.
    “ Yep, every word.”
    Randall wished at times he could record himself once and play it back to all and sundry. With much less enthusiasm than his last performance, he once again recounted his story.
    “ Well, we will have to work pretty quickly before the tides come into play.” Brian looked upstream. “I have an offsider on the way, so she can photograph the park and surrounds while we make a start on the shoreline here.” Brian returned to his car and came back with two pairs of black gumboots and overalls, which both he and Randall changed into.
    “It’s been a while since we wor ked a case,” Randall said, pulling on an obstinate gumboot.
    “Sure has , Rando, we are running out of experience out there so it is good when you get to work with people our vintage.” With both men suitably dressed, they made their way to the mud flat. “I think it is best we go in the way the other cop went in and come out the same way,” Brian advised, fidgeting with the lens on his camera.
    “Leanne, I will get you to wait on the grass and make some notes if we require it. After we photograph it in situ, we will bring the bag up the bank so you can get acquainted with it.”
    Ran dall and Brian trudged the same route taken by Sergeant Abernethy, with Brian periodically stopping to snap photos. As they battled through the mud a pungent smell made Randall gasp. He was unsure