His line jerked and broke him out of his fantasy. A “big one” this time. Doug couldn’t remember the last time the fish had been so kind to him. He twisted the large snapper off the hook and placed it on the chopping board. It was a good size and provided a couple nice big fillets of which he put in the chilly bin. He scraped off the board and threw all the remnants into the ocean. Doug fished and drank beer all morning, ate his lunch and continued to do the same through the afternoon. By the time he decided to head back to his chalet he had a full chilly bin of filleted fish and a full stomach of beer. He didn’t have to drive far to get back and he knew that cops were few and far between out here in the far north so he had no worries about being stopped.
C H A P T E R 1 3
Constable Driver was worried. He hadn’t heard from his wife all day. She was supposed to be doing the final packing up of their house in Auckland and he knew it was a big job and he was sure that she would call him to complain that it was just too much.
She had not been well the past few years. Her illness had caused a problem for him at his last job and he hoped the new therapy was helping. He wondered how the boys would take to their new home and school here in Kaeo. He had considered sending the boys to Kerikeri for school but it meant taking the bus in and out every day and he hoped he could support the local school even though the school’s academic reputation was poor. Most of the kids in the area went to Kerikeri. He would leave the decision up to his wife. He had hired a local lady to prepare the house for their arrival. She had washed all the curtains, scrubbed the floors and made all the beds with clean linens. Everything else was to arrive with the family on Monday. There were just a few days to go.
Driver considered eating a roast dinner at Whangaroa tonight. He had heard that it was good tucker and he needed a home cooked meal. Roast lamb, roast pork and roast beef with roasted potatoes, kumara, pumpkin, cauliflower with cheese sauce and peas and gravy. His mouth watered just thinking about it. He would head over there early and do a sweep of the area while he was at it. It wouldn’t hurt to get to know some of the locals.
The phone rang. It was his wife. He breathed a sigh of relief. She sounded happy and excited. The packing was done. The truck was organized for tomorrow. It would arrive in Kaeo at noon on Monday. She and the boys would drive up Monday morning and be there in time to help unpack. She said the boys were really excited and they were looking forward to kayaking and fishing. Driver had promised that he would buy them both kayaks so they could go out in the harbor and up the Wainui River when the tide was in. They were ten and eleven years old and good swimmers so he had no fear of them being around water.
He felt relieved that his wife was coping with the move. He hung up the phone, donned his jacket, grabbed his hat and headed off out the door. He had work to do and he wanted to get to the dinner tonight. He heard the local roast pork was truly delicious
C H A P T E R 1 4
Audrey was prepared and excited. “Finally,” she thought. “This is the right time.” She had been feeding the wild pigs for a couple of months now. Always in the same place so they would expect to find the food there. She had learned about pigs from the local pig farmer. He had told her that if a man falls down in a pigpen and can’t get up the pigs would eat him alive. She had always been afraid of pigs since then. Once when helping a neighbor head off a straying calf she realized she was alone in a muddy paddock surrounded by huge pink menacing sows. As they headed towards her she ran as fast as she could, terrified she would fall and they would attack her.
She knew she had chosen the perfect spot. It was in a small valley in the forest that surrounding the chalets. It was an isolated spot off the beaten track. She had set up a makeshift pigpen where she would toss pieces of raw meat. The wild pigs would come down from the hills at dusk and feed then return up into the hills at night. Audrey had counted four wild black pigs. Everyday she hoped that the local farmers would not shoot them.
Pig hunting was not only a favorite pastime for farmers, but a necessity, as their constant rooting made a mess of the paddocks.
Pigs had to be some of the most awful animals on earth, thought Audrey. Pigs and men! She had heard that some mother pigs even ate their own piglets. Disgusting! She had chosen the dumping site because she could drive her Rav4 and trailer right up to the pen. Audrey had planned everything carefully and she wasn’t going to rush things and make any mistakes. If tonight was going to be the night then she would make sure that everything was perfect.
Audrey had just taken a hot tub with a glass of wine and was still in her robe. She hadn’t decided what to wear tonight. Something soft, feminine and alluring she had decided. Her hair was up in big rollers. She chose a long flowing blue skirt and matching blue top with a scarf wrapped around her hips. The scarf took the emphasis away from her breasts and seemed to balance her out. Her pretty sandals with a wedge heel would add height to her five foot four frame. Finally she brushed out her blonde hair and tied it back with a curled hairpiece. She almost looked pretty once her make up was applied.
Would I be pretty enough to do what I need to do? She wondered.
C H A P T E R 1 5
Doug made it back to his chalet without being caught by a cop. He hadn’t realized just how much he had drunk until he started driving down the country gravel roads. Twice he had skidded and almost slipped over the edge. “Shit!” he cursed as he wondered if the chilly bin was still in tact and hoping the fish had not spilled into the back of his truck. He would never get the smell out if the mess had soaked into his cardboard boxes. He finally arrived at The Three Suites and made it up the driveway. As he staggered out of the truck he looked around to make sure that blondie was not around. Not good for her to see him in this condition. He needed to sober up a bit before he invited her to dinner. Maybe she would cook the fish for them. “Women” he cursed “all they are really good for is humping and cooking.” He felt in his pants pocket for the key and opened the door. Once inside he kicked off his boots and collapsed facedown on the bed and fell fast asleep.
He heard a soft knocking on the glass door. He felt like shit.
“Who is it?” he shouted back.
“It’s me, Audrey”.
“Bugger! “He muttered. “Just a minute” he shouted back. He looked at the clock and saw he had been asleep for over an hour. He walked into the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face and over his balding head. He patted down the sides and wiped his face and headed for the door. “What is it?” he asked as he opened it.
“I just wondered if you needed anything,” she said.
He noticed that she was all dolled up. “Going somewhere?” he asked.
“I thought I might pop down for the roast dinner at the club,” she said. “Tonight is roast dinner night and you won’t find a better meal anywhere else around.”
Doug thought about the fish in the back of the truck and the last thing he felt like doing was cooking it. “I just have to pop my catch in the freezer” he explained “and take a shower. I’ll meet you down there. What time does it close?”
“Eight o’clock,” she said. “Or earlier. Depends on the crowd. Sometimes they run out of food by seven o’clock and have to close the restaurant. Best to get there as soon as you can.” And with that she spun on her heels and headed off in the direction of her parked car.
Doug watched her drive away down the long gravel driveway then walked back into the bathroom and ran the shower. So far: so good. It looked as though things were going nicely to plan. A nice meal, a few drinks and, to top it off, a big buxom blonde all to myself. He even whistled in the shower. This holiday was a good idea, he thought as he pulled on his jeans, grabbed a clean shirt, and donned his best boots. He was becoming a regular down at the waterfront and looked forward to a nice roast lamb dinner. They may even serve roast pork, his favorite.
C H A P T E R 1 6
They were all there, the locals. Pearl was dressed in her favorite outfit resembling a bright blue and
yellow butterfly with huge matching beads and earrings. She was a tall, slender, woman who liked to look her best. Everyone knew Pearl. She had lived in Whangaroa for many years and was born in Kaeo - came from a farming family and spent many years milking cows and tending chickens. Her retirement to the little house on the corner was all she ever wanted. Tonight she was sitting with other locals enjoying the local gossip.
They looked up as the local constable from Kaeo walked in. He was out of uniform apparently taking the night off. He looked a little shy and reserved. A few of the local farmers nodded at him and the constable walked over to greet them. Pearl was dying to meet him. He was such a good -looking man. She had heard his wife and boys were going to move into the police house this week. She was pleased for him. He must be missing his family and this is not really a young town.
She looked over at the door and saw the lady from The Three Suites entering. She knew her name was Audrey and kept pretty much to herself. She didn’t appear to have any friends around here and had been living there for a few years now. Pearl had heard the local men talking about her “More money, than sense” they would say. Everyone wondered where she got her money. They heard she had lived in America for some time and they knew her family was not from around here. She had a reputation of being a hard worker and, in most people’s eyes, that was a compliment.
“Too many lazies living off the dole around here,” the farmers would moan.
She watched as the lady chose an empty table and then went to the bar and ordered a drink. She returned and sat quietly sipping her wine and looking at the door. Was she waiting for someone? Pearl wondered with curiosity. I wonder whom?
The men in bar were watching sport on a big screen TV hung high in the corner of the bar. They were cheering and cursing. Pearl didn’t watch much sport and had no idea what game they were watching. Dinner was served in the big room attached to the bar. There were glass doors leading out onto a patio looking out across the docks on the harbor. Big fishing boats were anchored for the night. Dozens of private boats were docked neatly in rows. The last of the day’s weary fishermen were carrying heavy chilly bins down the dock towards their trucks.
The restaurant was crowded both inside and out. It was a good night for the cooks who rented the space and who really only made a profit on the Special Roast Dinner nights.
Pearl saw him enter through the main bar door. He was a balding man in his late fifties. Nicely dressed in pressed jeans and jacket. Must be from the big city, she thought. He went up to the bar and walked away with a beer. He looked around and headed for the restaurant.
She watched as Audrey waved to him. So that is whom she is waiting for, Pearl thought. I wonder if he is a guest at her chalets or if he is her boyfriend? She got her answer pretty quickly when she saw how awkwardly they greeted each other. A guest, thought Pearl. Has to be. And went back to listening to the local gossip and enjoying her meal.
She couldn’t help but keep an eye on the strange couple during the evening. She couldn’t quite make out what vibe she was getting from Audrey. The man obviously was ready for anything. He had a red face as if he was quite a drinker - but also a gentleman, always standing when Audrey stood and held her chair for her. Real city manners. She wished the locals treated a lady that well.
The average age in the restaurant must have been fifty-five. It would have been sixty-five but there were a few younger couples, obviously boaties, who had stopped off for a meal. A few kids ran around outside. It was a nice area with an adjoining green park and park benches strategically positioned so one could sit and look out over the harbor.
It was a leisurely five-minute walk down the windy, one-way gravel road to the pier. The road stopped at the big house at the end with a sign “private road” preventing further access. Big pahutekawa trees hung over the roadway and clung tenaciously to the bank. Houses lined the narrow road on one side. Every little cottage was unique in style and color. New Zealanders liked to paint their houses in an array of colors especially the Maoris. Bright teals, blues, greens and yellows created a spectacle of color. Whangaroa was no different. Many houses throughout Northland were holiday baches converted into retirement homes.
Pearl and her friends had their last drink and made their way through the bar to the street exit. Pearl noticed Audrey and her friend were also getting ready to leave. The man looked a little unsteady on his feet she hoped the new constable, who had chosen to eat his meal in the bar with the guys, didn’t notice. Audrey obviously recognized the constable because she looked over at him and gave him a huge smile as she left. She hadn’t noticed the interested look the constable gave them both.
C H A P T E R 1 7
Audrey was very happy things were going to plan. Almost the whole town had been at the restaurant - even the new constable. They would all have noticed her guest had obviously drunk too much. During dinner he had added another four beers to his day’s intake. She just hoped the constable would not follow them out to check if Doug was driving. Once outside Audrey looked around at Pearl and her friends leaving in their respective cars. She waited until the car park was empty and asked Doug where he had parked his car. As she had expected, the car park was overflowing forcing him to park his car way down the road towards the jetty.
Audrey had parked her car in the small car park area behind the restaurant and hidden from the road and the pub opposite. She insisted on driving Doug back to the suites warning him the local cop was in the restaurant when they left and it was not worth the risk. Doug agreed and got into Audrey’s Rav4.
He made a derogatory remark about the poor state of her vehicle. She explained that it doubled as her work truck, hence the scattering of sheep pellets on the floor and the piles of dirt from transporting plants on the property. Audrey asked about his day and Doug gave a blow- by-blow account of each and every fish he caught.
They were back at the suites in less than five minutes and Audrey parked her car in her Suite B parking spot. Doug staggered out of the car and went around to the driver’s door to let Audrey out. He decided she looked rather fetching in her flowing blue skirt and complimented her so.
“Thank you,” said Audrey. “I enjoyed your company.” She paused. “Have a lovely evening” and walked towards Suite B.
“Wait!” said Doug. “Wouldn’t you like a nightcap? I bought a Stoneleigh Sav from the market,” he tempted. Doug didn’t see the smile on Audrey’s face before she turned to face him.
“Why, that would be lovely,” she said. “I won’t be a minute. I will come over soon.” She entered her suite and closed the door behind her.
Audrey had been careful not to drink too much today and only had one glass of wine at dinner. She wanted to be clear headed tonight. She had a busy night ahead of her and she didn’t want to leave anything to chance.
Audrey mentally did her checklist. She had made sure that the iron gates were closed at the entrance and the “no vacancy’” sign was hanging in full view. She had moved her trailer up to her parking spot and just had to attach it to her car when the time was ready. She checked the tires on the handcart even though she had purchased a new one recently. The tires always seemed to go flat when she carried around heavy furniture or heavy pots of them. The tires were fine.
She had her list of necessities; gloves, plastic bags, lighter fluid and lighter. She had already carried down the metal incinerator bin close to the pig site.
Audrey had been planning this for weeks, ever since the bank had given her six months to sell or pay back the loan. Both she knew she could not do. The real estate market had turned to crap. No one wanted to purchase in Kaeo after the floods had been broadcasted all over the world destroying any chance of finding a buyer from overseas.
She had nothing to else to lose now and was determined to get even with every man who ever crossed her. Their promises, broken - over and over again. It was their turn now.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror and felt pleased. Her life had been one big s
tage anyway so hiding who she really was had become commonplace. She applied a stick of permanent red gloss to her lips, fixed her hairpiece in place and headed for the door making sure she left all her lights on. The suites sat high on the side of the hill overlooking the road. At night their bright lights were easily visible against the dark, wooded backdrop of the pa. Every little detail needed to be addressed.
Audrey approached the glass door entrance of Suite C and knocked. She heard music playing inside.
All the suites came with a collection of CDs and a player. She knew the guests loved this added feature. He had chosen one of her memorable CDs, “Call Me” by Al Green. It was perfect! It must be an omen this is meant to be, she thought as Doug opened the door to welcome her inside.
He poured her a drink and she followed him outside onto the deck where he had already prepared some cheese and breads and lit the candles on the small round table.
They took a seat. Audrey asked Doug what his plans are once he leaves tomorrow. Was he going back to Auckland or was he continuing up north?
“Thought I might wander further up North towards Cape Reinga” said Doug. “I might take in a round of golf too. No real plans.”
Audrey watched as he poured himself another drink and drank it quickly. He seemed a little nervous she thought. The CD finished and Audrey offered to change the disc.
“Great,” said Doug. “I am going to hop in the tub – wanna join me?” he slurred.
“Sounds great. Let me refresh your drink.” Audrey reached over to pick up the bottle and accidently knocked his glass over onto the deck. “Oh dear. I’ll get you a new glass – you get into the tub and I will bring it out to you.” Audrey walked inside.
The Murder Suite: Book One - The Audrey Murders Page 3
