Scorpio's Lot

by Ray Smithies

  ‘Cars, fishing, and drinking of course.’

  ‘What was in the parcel you handed Kurt?’

  ‘Just a motor part.’

  ‘Can you elaborate?’

  ‘It was a twin carburettor out of an old Ford I had lying around the garage. This is starting to become an interrogation!’

  ‘I’m sure Kurt Muller will be able to verify all this, won’t he?’

  ‘Of course. You only have to go over to the caravan park and ask, detective.’

  ~ * ~

  Under instructions from Forbes, Carpenter was carrying out the interview with Kurt Muller at precisely the same time as Marsh was talking to James Slattery. With this arrangement their forewarning to each other would be near impossible. Muller was feeding the sergeant with a completely different story to the one James was telling Marsh.

  ~ * ~

  T

  he chaos confronting Forbes and his two subordinates at Pedley Wharf was very concerning. An anxious crowd had gathered at quayside, with a few people having already stepped aboard the Molly Bloom to investigate the source of the commotion. The sound of wailing and crying could be heard coming from the direction of starboard. Forbes instructed his sergeant to drive aboard, park the car and then seal off all access to the boat from everyone other than the paramedics, who were supposedly on their way.

  Five minutes earlier a phone call had come through to the station stating there was an unknown crisis on board, and the authorities and a medical crew should be in attendance. Carpenter was given orders to supervise the entry point, while Forbes and Marsh proceeded to climb the companion ladder en route to this unknown emergency. Two ambulances drove over the entry plank positioned at stern and the crying intensified as people heard of the medical team’s arrival.

  Turning the corner of the engine room, Forbes and Marsh were confronted with the full impact of human suffering. They were in disbelief at the sight of these troubled souls. A half-circle of passengers who had remained intact were too afraid to move, let alone acknowledge the presence of the law. The crying and groans continued as they looked upon the blood trails and two bodies lying on starboard deck. A dead dog was being held by its distressed owner, while children clung to their parents sobbing in an uncontrollable state. Four men who had stepped aboard from the pier earlier had located their respective people and were trying to console them and make sense of it all.

  ‘What in God’s name ...’ Forbes began and then paused, clearly affected by what he saw.

  He was first to spot Burke and Martino, sprawled unconscious on separate deck chairs. The pair rushed to their colleagues, fearing the worst, and then heaved a sigh of relief on feeling two pulses. At the sound of an approaching medical team it was Forbes’ intention to have his men cared for first.

  Forbes and Marsh commenced their inspection of starboard deck, stepping around the many obstacles and belongings that had obviously been rearranged by this disturbance. The first body in their path had certainly left indications of a struggle, given the amount of blood embedded upon the timber decking. Knife wounds to the thigh and back were clearly visible, as was the blow to the bloodstained head. Viewing the second body with a bullet hole between the eyes, Forbes surmised that at least this man’s death was instantaneous.

  The moans and cries from some of the women would not subside. Men and women alike appeared to be in a trance, as if cast by a spell from some evil influence. This ordeal had deeply affected the passengers and Forbes knew it would take some time before they could make any sense of this tragedy.

  He turned to Marsh. ‘Take a head count and we’ll ask the people on the wharf who were expecting someone to disembark. This way we’ll at least start some identification process if they don’t carry ID. We’ll also need to relocate these passengers to portside away from the two bodies, but first phone forensic and have them send the same crew down here immediately.’

  Marsh was not far into his count when he spotted Tom Harrison staring aimlessly around the deck. Upon his completion of counting thirty-five people, which included the four men from the pier counselling family or friends, the detective turned to his superior.

  ‘I noticed Tom Harrison amongst the passenger count, but there’s no sign of Brigit O’Neill,’ he informed Forbes, seeing the paramedics finally arrive to attend their duties.

  ‘I’ll see to Harrison shortly, but first we need to establish who else is on board, including the crew. I’ll wait here while you check the bridge and engine room for crewmembers and take a look around the whole boat in case someone has wandered. Remember, no one is allowed on or off the boat without my permission. During your absence I’ll have a word with the paramedics and Tom Harrison.’

  Upon Marsh’s departure Forbes immediately went across to the paramedics, who were attending the sergeant and young constable. ‘Will they be all right?’ he asked.

  ‘They’re both still semi-conscious and we need to get them to hospital. We’ll have them sent on the first ambulance. They should be okay, but I suggest you check with outpatients later,’ replied the paramedic.

  The detective continued to discuss some matters at length with the paramedics. With no one individual in a life-threatening situation, it was agreed all passengers would be treated independently on deck. A further two ambulances were already on their way from neighbouring townships and would arrive within twenty minutes to help share the workload. Having temporarily finished his briefing with the medics, he then decided to approach Tom Harrison.

  ‘Tom ... Tom Harrison, can you hear me? It’s Detective Sergeant Forbes.’ The only response he got from Tom was a vacant stare.

  Forbes knew Harrison was in a state of shock, as were some of his fellow travellers. Forbes could only wait until his condition improved. Looking further afield, he noticed that a few individuals appeared to have their faculties together. He sat beside a middle-aged man in the hope that he could shed some light on this unfortunate tragedy.

  ‘What is your name, sir?’

  ‘Roger Pearce.’

  ‘I am Detective Sergeant Alan Forbes. Do you feel up to answering some questions?’

  ‘I guess so. It’s been a harrowing experience for us all.’

  ‘Mr Pearce, can you tell me what happened here?’

  Clearly distraught at having witnessed cold-blooded murder, Pearce took a moment to compose himself before relating the tragic events. As the man’s story unfolded the detective was astonished at the sheer aggression by the perpetrators. He couldn’t understand why so many innocent people were targeted. His line of questioning now focused on the fate of Brigit O’Neill.

  ‘What was this girl’s name?’ Forbes asked.

  ‘Um ... Brigit. Yes, that’s it, Brigit.’

  ‘Can you describe her?’

  ‘Around eighteen or so, five-four in height with long blonde hair. She wore a sling on her left arm. Pretty young thing she was, and to think these bastards have her in their custody. The poor girl must be going through sheer hell,’ replied Pearce sadly.

  ‘Have you by any chance seen any of the crew members?’

  ‘Oh ... I’d forgotten about them with all that’s been happening, but to answer your question, no I haven’t.’

  ‘Thank you for your time, Mr Pearce. I’ll be back to see you if need be. Everybody will be moved to portside shortly to enable those waiting at the wharf to be reunited with family or friends. We don’t want further people viewing the bodies on the starboard deck, and besides, forensics will need to examine them first before they’re removed.’

  ‘Detective, I need my hand attended to,’ the passenger informed him.

  ‘The paramedics will see to all your needs in due course. They’re treating each person in turn, and when backup arrives with more resources the waiting time will be reduced,’ concluded Forbes.

  ~ * ~

  Paul Marsh had slipped back the latch to gain entry into the engine room. Upon opening the door he could see two crewmen unharmed, sitting together on t
he floor beside the might of a large and imposing machine. In a somewhat aggressive mood, the two men approached the plainclothes officer demanding some answers. He quickly explained who he was and told them of the drama that had transpired during their detention. He then left the pair with instructions to report to Forbes on starboard.

  Anxious to establish the whereabouts of the remaining crewmen, Marsh climbed the companion ladder en route to the wheelhouse. Entering the bridge he saw three crewmembers nursing their wounds and looking somewhat anxious at his arrival.

  ‘No need for alarm. My name is Detective Senior Constable Marsh and I’m here to help you.’ He untied the men. ‘There are two fatalities down below and the police and ambulance are in attendance. At this stage were still trying to piece together how and why this happened, but for the moment would you please accompany me down to starboard. Detective Sergeant Forbes will take your statements shortly, but only after you’ve been treated by the paramedics.’

  ‘All right, but I need to check on my two remaining men,’ stated the one who appeared to be in charge.

  ‘I released these men from the engine room ten minutes ago,’ Marsh said. ‘They’re unharmed and perfectly all right. Might you be the captain of this boat?’

  ‘That’s a relief to hear and yes I’m the captain. My name is David Campbell.’

  ‘Before I forget, would you pass me your manifest of the passengers?’

  ‘Certainly but it only contains the number of men, women and children that boarded, not their names or addresses as you would expect on a luxury liner. We also keep a tally of the vehicles and merchandise that comes aboard,’ declared Campbell as he handed over the list.

  ‘Thank you. Please follow me.’

  Forbes had transferred most of the passengers across to portside when Marsh returned. He instructed his deputy to assist with the remaining people and then informed him about what Roger Pearce had said. With the relocation task now completed, Forbes approached the wharf and advised the waiting crowd of his intentions.

  Standing upon the steel plank at stern he commenced, ‘Thank you for your patience. We have on board a serious situation whereby two passengers have been murdered and a third has been thrown overboard in addition to a fourth person being kidnapped. The perpetrators are unknown at this stage, but I assure you the police will draw all their available resources to resolve this tragedy.’

  An immediate hush came over the crowd and then followed the expected emotional outpour. A few people stepped forward to board the Molly Bloom.

  ‘Stop right there and listen to me very carefully,’ Forbes said. ‘I want those people who were expecting someone to disembark to step forward now.’

  He waited as the numbers continued to increase before him. Within the space of fifteen seconds the transfer was completed. Around twenty people had declared their intent.

  ‘Good, you will now be directed on board for the purpose of identifying this person. The reason behind this procedure is that some passengers are still in a state of shock and may not instantly recognise you. Most people are well enough and will greet you on sight, but, sadly, we have two bodies requiring positive identification. When you find your passenger please remain standing beside that person to assist us with our records.’

  Forbes led the nervous group up the companion ladder, realising their anxiety level would be high. He was desperately hoping that no one behind him would have to face their ultimate fear of viewing the body of someone they cared about. The silence of the group ascending the steps seemed to emphasis the crisis. Would their passenger be found alive and well? Upon reaching the landing at portside, only a corner wall separated the two groups of people.

  Forbes had one remaining instruction. ‘Please proceed in an orderly fashion and remember to stand beside the person you recognise.’

  Upon sighting the return of his superior, Marsh informed Forbes that Burke and Martino had regained total consciousness and were already aboard the ambulance about to exit the Molly Bloom.

  ‘Good to hear, Paul. We’ll pay them a visit once I’m finished here.’

  Only one person could not find their passenger. A woman in her midthirties now appeared desperate in her search, checking and rechecking the same sequence of faces. She finally accepted the fact that her husband was missing and approached the detective for help.

  ‘My husband Rob is not amongst these people,’ she wept.

  ‘Please describe your husband to these passengers as I’m sure someone will remember him.’

  ‘He’s a short man with a ponytail and muttonchops,’ said the woman, desperate for a response.

  It was Roger Pearce who reluctantly came forward to pronounce the man’s fate. ‘I’m so sorry to tell you that your husband was thrown overboard by these fiends around half an hour before we docked.’

  The woman screamed at hearing the news and then broke down in a flood of tears.

  ‘Can your husband swim?’ asked Forbes, ignoring the emotions and focusing more on the problem at hand.

  ‘Yes ... he’s a good swimmer, but the water is so cold at this time of year.’

  ‘All’s not lost so please don’t give up hope. When learning of this a while ago I took the liberty of phoning a rescue operation unit that’s sending a helicopter to the area. They’re probably searching as we speak. I’ve requested they keep me informed so I’ll pass on the news as it comes to hand.’

  ‘Thank you, officer, that gives me a bit of hope after all.’

  ‘May I have your name?’ asked Forbes.

  ‘Christine Flanagan.’

  ‘Would you please give Detective Marsh your address details and telephone number and I’ll personally contact you regarding your husband’s progress.’

  Forbes then turned to the assembled passengers and crew to deliver a further address.

  ‘At this point in time you’ve all been treated by the paramedics and I’m advised there are some people who will be transferred to Pedley Hospital for further observation. There are four ambulances waiting and the medical crew will direct you shortly. People who do not require further medical attention will be free to leave shortly. Given the grave nature of today’s ordeal, the police will be in touch with each and every one of you in due course. We have all your details, and should you remember any additional information please contact the Pedley Police Station immediately. Are there any questions?’

  A young man in his early twenties was first to speak. His question was on everybody’s mind. ‘Detective, who on earth were these people?’

  ‘They’re members of a local drug syndicate who were in pursuit of the young girl that was kidnapped. It’s now our responsibility to draw on all our resources to resolve this matter promptly.’

  Following the dismissal of the passengers Forbes had further words and instructions for Captain Campbell. He then decided to return to starboard with his detective. Upon their approach the paramedics advised Forbes they were finished onboard and had alerted the hospital regarding the arrival of nine passengers for further observation. That only left the forensics team, which should arrive within the hour.

  Forbes stood silently amidst the carnage. He stared at the upturned furniture, the accumulation of mobile phones and finally upon the two dead bodies. Although anxious to establish their identities, he knew this procedure could not be undertaken until the forensics examination was completed. Disturbing the crime scene would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He sighed, accepting the inevitable. His delegated role would have to wait.

  He decided to phone Emily Harrison. He informed her of the tragedy and that Tom was in a state of shock following the executions and the kidnapping of Brigit O’Neill. He explained that Tom had been taken to the outpatient department of the hospital for further observation, but otherwise had escaped the mayhem unscathed.

  Emily was in an anxious and confused state after wondering where Tom had been all this time. Following the detective’s call she quickly gathered her car keys to make the th
ree-minute trip to hospital.

  ~ * ~

  Entering the hospital wing, Emily was directed through to the consulting rooms and an awaiting medical staff. I was among the first passengers to be admitted, which enabled her to bypass the drawn-out formalities of the waiting room.

  We had an emotional reunion among my fellow travellers. I was relieved Em had not seen me in my earlier traumatic state. Doctor Young spoke to us briefly and gave me instructions to rest and keep my daily routine restricted to light duties, for I was still traumatised and it could take upwards of two days to regain a full physical recovery. The mental despair was a further issue and it would be unrealistic to expect the anguish to subside in a similar timeframe.

  I then caught sight of Darren and Chris wandering my way.

  ‘What’s the damage, Tom?’ asked Burke.