A dead body---in the 1. 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 2 with gray 3.
The two women immediately called the police. "We found a body. It's all wrapped up, someone is trying to 4 of it. It must be murder." The 5 replied, "The police are on their way. Move to a 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 6 between to trees to 7 the area.
Flora felt a 8 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 9 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 10 her parents that she was the one who broke the vase, or stole money from mom's wallet. She was always 11, 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 12 and take a seat. She had 13.
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 14 at Flora. He didn't speak for a moment, then said, "They found a body." Flora's face showed surprise and 15. "In the backyard," said Dan.
At that moment Flora *burst out laughing*. "Oh my. Oh, this is terrible. That is a Halloween 16. *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."
"17," said Dan, "you fooled the police."
"Every Halloween we set up a fake 18," 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 19 of murder?"