A dead body. In the backyard. The back gate had been left open. Two neighbors had been jogging by and noticed it. It was leaning against the wall right next to the garage door, wrapped in black garbage bags and tightly wound with gray duct tape.

The two women immediately called the police. “We found a body. It’s all wrapped up, someone is trying to dispose of it. It must be murder.” The dispatcher replied, “The police are on their way. Move to safe place.”

Flora Potts had dropped her kids off at school earlier in the morning and was arriving home when she noticed her house was surrounded by police. There was yellow and black tape suspended between to trees to cordon-off the area.

Flora felt a surge of panic. What was going on? She knew she hadn’t done anything wrong. Should she get out and talk to the police? Would they arrest her? Put her in a stinky jail cell with strangers?

She had that same sick feeling in her gut like she used to get as a kid when her brother would set her up for the trouble he caused. He was a fast talker and could always persuade her parents that she was the one who broke the vase, or stole money from mom’s wallet. She was always innocent, but it didn’t matter. She had that same hopeless feeling now.

She turned her car around and drove straight to her lawyer’s office. She talked to Dan, her lawyer, and told him about the police at her house. Dan told her to calm down and take a seat. She had nothing to worry about.

Dan picked up the phone and called the Chief of Police and asked why the officers were at Ms. Potts’ house. He listened. Suddenly, Dan’s face went blank. He slowly put down his phone and stared at Flora. He didn’t speak for a moment, then said, “They found a body.” Flora’s face showed surprise and confusion. “In the backyard,” said Dan.

At that moment Flora burst out laughing. “Oh my. Oh, this is terrible. That is a Halloween decoration. I’ve been meaning to put that thing away but just haven’t gotten around to it.”

“No kidding,” said Dan quietly.

“It looks pretty real.”

“I should say so,” said Dan, “you fooled the police.”

“Every Halloween we set up a fake crime scene,” Flora continued, “complete with yellow crime tape and everything. It’s pretty cool. The kids love it,” she paused for a moment. “Am I in trouble? I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?”

“No, not at all. I’ll explain everything to the police. You’ll be fine. But I’d watch my neighbors closely. What kind of neighbor thinks you are capable of murder?”

“You’ll come over next Halloween?” Flora asked.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”