The Hunt for the Southern Cross Slayer

By Terence Charles

A Serial Killer is stalking the big winners at gambling Casino's in Australia.
The victims are Horrifically hacked to pieces with a Machete and most of them are Decapitated!

BUT

The worrying thing for the Police is that there is NO Forensic Evidence at the Crime Scenes! Even when a Policeman is seen to Shoot the Killer the bullets flattened by the Impact are found with NO DNA traces or forensic evidence of them hitting anything!!
A Distressed Tasmanian Police Commissioner calls for help from The Australian Federal Police Force,they Pass it to ''The Special Crime and Terrorist Threat Network'
Top Detectives 'Briny' Rayner and Jim Murnaghan are Sent to Investigate the Crimes in Tasmania.
This Produces a Tense Federal v State Police Situation and the two Detectives are then Involved with a storm of vicious gun battles and General Mayhem!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terence Charles
• Release date: Oct 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370954384

Terence Charles

Retired from the Police Force and now living in Sydney Australia, Terence Charles served in both English and Australian Police Forces, gaining long experience in various Police Departments. These experiences included being a beat 'Bobby', a Police Dog Handler, a sharpshooter (police sniper) as a member of a Special Operations Group, and as a part of a Detective Team investigating everything from missing persons, woundings, break and enters and burglaries, paedophiles, to murders.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Jason slid the car into his and Karen's special place in the car park.

'God, I feel horny''. He thought as he parked the car carefully beside the wall near Sandy Bay Road. Just under the trees where their slight shadows blackened the overall darkness of the night and obscured the car parks lighting.

With practised moves he slightly wound down the windows in the rear of the car and then slid the front seats forward as far as they would go. No misting of the windows and more room would be needed in the rear for the next hour.

Moving into the back seat he checked that the interior light was still disabled. In the event they felt opening one of the rear doors may assist with their exertions.

'It's not fair' he thought, 'but necessary, I'll never get up for work if I wait for her to finish her work in the morning.'

Jason worked early mornings as an apprentice builder. Since Karen had landed the job as a drinks waitress working the late shift at the casino, their quality time together had been a problem.

They could not avoid it though the extra money of her late shift and the tips were far too great a bonus to ignore in helping with the mortgage.

This late night rendezvous in the rear of the Ford in the casino's car park during Karen's meal break was the only solution they had been able to manage so far.

Scanning anxiously across the car park from the back seat at last he saw Karen approaching. Her skimpy waitress’s uniform clung to her body and sparkled in the fluorescent car park lighting as she trotted briskly on her high stiletto heels towards him.

He opened the rear door, and once she was in the car, the pair lost no time before they were tightly wound around each other. Prostrate on the back seat together, murmuring of their love.

Jason's hands moved with well-rehearsed precision over Karen's firm breasts, her nipples firming and raising immediately at his touch and the caress of the cool night air.

Only pausing slightly too again wind his tongue around hers. His hands lowered and raised the tiny skirt and started to ease her panties down and over her hips.

It was then the sound registered with him again, this time consciously a sound that he felt he recognised. Interrupting and breaking his concentration with its familiarity.

It was the sound of his father’s axe splitting a sun-dried cut log perched up on the chopping block.

He heard sounds more clearly, murmured words, this time recognising some of them.

Thee doesn't need this either does thee. The voice was quiet but hoarse and cracked, and it was not from far away. The words were followed by a quiet evil chuckle.

Unable to restrain himself Jason raised his chest and shoulders. Although still virtually lying on top of Karen on the back seat he was able to move his upper body until his eyes became level with the bottom of the rear window.

What's happening?

Why are you stopping? whispered Karen urgently.

Shhssh. he whispered back.

Peering through the very bottom of the car window he was looking at the shape of a very large man about thirty or forty metres away. It was crouched over something lying on the ground in the car park.

There was a flash of reflected light from something in the man's hand. It seemed the other hand was continuing to fumble with whatever was slumped beneath him.

Just then the twin beams of headlights swept into the car park and lanced across the crouching figure. Jason was able to see that it was another human body beneath the man that he had been fumbling with.

The car pulled up only twenty or so feet from the man and the inanimate body beneath him. Jason now registered that it was a Police Car that had entered the car park and had screeched to a stop.

The driver’s door of the Police car swung open and a uniform constable leapt out into the car park.

Stay there you!

What are you up to? the constable shouted.

Stand still!

The figure of the man had risen to his feet and Jason could now see that he was huge. The body he had crouched over was unmoving and strangely crumpled.

The figure moved away from the body on the car park floor toward the Constable. The hoarse harsh voice now louder saying threateningly, Ye better run away Trooper or I'll cross thee off my list!

Jason then saw the light he had seen reflected came from a sword like object swinging in the figure's right hand.

The constable shouted Stay there and stand still or I'll fire! He drew a pistol from the holster on his hip and pointed it directly at the figure's chest.

Stand still I say!

The figure snarled, Trooper I was never afeared of thy lashes and the harbours now closed.

Ye'll never get me back to Norfolk. Never!

By now the figure was almost within reach of the Constable and it suddenly threateningly raised the weapon in its hand.

Jason heard the sound of the Constable's pistol fire three times. He saw the huge figure shudder and reel backwards with the impacts, but then incredibly it straightened. It continued forward and the weapon arced down on the Constable's arm that was holding the pistol.

Again that awful axe like sound rang out in parallel with the Constable's agonised scream.

Continuing forward the huge figure smashed the Constable to the ground and stood over him.

The weapon swung again twice across the Constable's chest Fool! I told thee I'd cross thee out Trooper.

Once again the weapon was raised and then swung again. This time at the prostrate Constable's neck and the horrified Jason saw the figure bend and lift up the Constable's head by the hair. He shook it and placed it on the Constable's lifeless chest.

Thee doesn't need these any more, or to go to the ground with thee and I'll find a better use.

Jason saw that the figure was doing something around the Constable's ankles. A short time later Jason saw that both boots had been slipped from the Constables feet. They were tied together by their laces and swung around the figures neck.

Again the decapitated head was lifted from the body by its hair. Jason saw the head swinging in the figures hand as it turned and walked calmly away from the crumpled bodies. It walked across the car park towards the direction of the Derwent River.

At the edge of car park just discernible in the filtered light of the trees and lights Jason saw the figure place the Constable's head down. He heard the horrible voice once again.

The figure's voice was only just discernible, but Jason strained to understand it. Thee'll no watch me, and thee'll not know where I am off too now Trooper lad.

He heard a faint squishing liquid noise, and then the figure slowly disappeared into the shadows and out of Jason's sight.

Karen pushed him off her and said What's happening, what's all that noise?

What's going on?

Jason looked down at her with horrified eyes and merely shook his head.

It seemed only seconds later that the pair heard the sound of racing car engines. Two more Police cars pulled into the car park and screeched to a halt near the stationary Police car that still had its headlights blazing across the car park.

Uniform figures leapt out of the recently arrived Police cars and went to where the constable's body and the other body were laying.

Jason swung open the cars back door and called out Hey Police! He went that way, towards the river!

It was only minutes ago I saw him do it!

Instantly the Policemen swung around at the Ford, and towards Jason and Karen.

Stay still, don't move or we will fire!

Stay where you are keep your hands up!

Don't move!

Jason was wrenched from the car by two Policemen and spread-eagled face down on the floor of the car park. The barrel of a gun pushed hard into the back of his neck while he was being roughly patted down and searched.

Karen was also dragged from the car, the appreciation of the Constables detaining her being obvious on their faces. They were smirking to each other, as the state of her clothing left nothing to the imagination.

The top of her dress was still wide open to her waist. Her bra undone and hanging down around the bottom of the dress. The skirt tucked up above her tiny silken panties which were still low enough to reveal her pubic hair and genitals.

Questions were being fired at both Jason and Karen by all of the police officers simultaneously in a confused babble when another car pulled up alongside them.

This was a plain clothes Police car and a detective stepped out.

He called to the other officers in an authoritative tone, Just hold them there. No questions.

Tell the woman to make herself decent.

I'll be with you directly.

All of you stay exactly where you are now!

Do not move any of you!

The detective then walked over and gazed down at the body of the fallen and beheaded Police Constable and then moved over towards the other corpse.

He studied the bodies for a few minutes and then walked deliberately back to the detective car and picked up the hand microphone.

CHAPTER TWO

Detective Inspector Murnaghan and Detective Inspector Rayner met by arrangement in the car park that was alongside the Federal Police Headquarters in London Circuit Canberra.

The two detectives had taken just over a week’s leave looking for new accommodation since their move to Canberra. They were recovering from the rigours of their last case involving the evil occult adept Padraig Donn.

Murnaghan smiled at Rayner Everything good with the new place Briny?

Yeah it's great Jim.

Much better than the digs I had in Parramatta, and much nearer the action!

Jim Murnaghan was tall, lean with dark features a contrast to Charles ‘Briny’ Rayner who was stockier, more florid with slightly thinning red hair. Together their combination as an intuitive thief taking team had recently seen their promotions and their move from the New South Wales Police Force to the Australian Federal Police.

I reckon we should see the Boss and find out more about this gig he mentioned in Tassie Jim.

It didn't make a lot of sense what he said about it last time.

I know Tassie's a bit behind the times, but bloody bush rangers and all! Shit, can't be right!

I agree Briny, and anyway we will need to make the travel arrangements. Get some more details and see if anything else has been happening while we've been moving into Canberra.

The two detectives walked into the headquarters building and then into the offices of the Special Crime and Terrorist Threat Network, or 'Trident'. Their transfer to the Australian Federal Police had made them recent members.

Rayner knocked quietly on the office door which had a small sign 'Smythe-Jones' above a discreetly painted small blue trident and was answered by a female voice Come in.

Rayner opened the door, and they both walked into the office facing a smartly dressed motherly looking woman seated behind a desk and computer.

Good morning Cheryl, Briny Rayner and Jim Murnaghan here to have a quick word with the boss if that's possible.

Certainly Gentlemen, I'll see if he is available.

Cheryl, Chief Superintendent Smythe-Jones's personal assistant turned away from them and murmured quietly into a microphone attached to her desk.

She nodded and said Please just go on through he's happy to see you both.

Rayner and Murnaghan walked through the door to the right of Cheryl's desk. This led into a larger office, where seated behind an impressive desk was the commander of the Special Crimes and Terrorist Threat Network or Trident, Chief Superintendent Smythe-Jones.

Smythe-Jones impeccably dressed as ever was a tall, good looking well-built man with fair hair combed straight back from his forehead. His education at a prominent English public school was evident in the well-modulated tones of his speech, and his military background showed in his bearing. However his lineage went way back to early pre-Roman times in Anglesea, or then as it was known as the Isle of Mona, in Wales.

His ancestry and the links to the Celtic traditions and clairvoyance of the druids were almost a pre-requisite for the position that Smythe-Jones held within 'The Network'.

The basis of the S C double T N's successes as he often explained being three prongs, or tines of expertise.

The first was tried and true Police work performed by thief taking detectives. The second the use of the very latest, and even experimental, technology. The third, perhaps the most important the ancient methods of the adepts of sorcery and second sight.

Smythe-Jones also maintained that he felt that many of the better 'thief taking' detectives had a high degree of clairvoyance. This often manifested itself in their 'gut' feelings resulting in their spectacular arrests and clearance rates.

Good morning Jim and Briny. Good to see you both.

Are you both settled in to your new 'digs' now?

I do hope you have found some good suitable permanent accommodation nearby that is convenient for you?

Good morning Boss, yes we're both now comfortable. I've got a place in Queanbeyan, and Briny has settled for somewhere flashier, and a lot closer to here and the fleshpots.

We both wanted a word with you about the job you mentioned that you had for us in Tasmania.

You wanted us to go down there and have a look you said, and your comments about Bush-rangers were intriguing and rather puzzling.

Yes of course, I may have misled you there a little.

Please take a seat lad’s and we'll have a little chat.

Would you like me to get Cheryl to organise some coffees?

Murnaghan glanced at Rayner who shook his head, No thanks boss, just the chat will do we've both just had breakfast.

Both of the detectives took seats facing Smythe-Jones across the desk.

Smythe-Jones looked from one to the other and then steepled the fingers of his hands and leaned his elbows on the desk, Well Tasmania. Let's see.

What happened was a short time ago I had to attend a two day meeting in Japan. It was the Heads of Police International Conference.

As OIC of Trident or S C T T N I am bound to attend these things unfortunately.

As you know we at Trident need to keep a lid on a lot of things. Also an eye on any of the rather arcane crimes or suspect terrorist groups around on an international level now.

Smythe-Jones leaned back in his chair.

Well as you can imagine the days were full of talks of imminent and long term terrorist threat locations. Current groups involved, weapon suppliers, possible targets, etcetera.

However during the evenings, as usual the Australian representatives at the conference gathered around the bar. It was at the bar over a couple of drinks that I was talking with an old friend of mine, the Commissioner of Tasmania John Cassion.

John's a top guy, and a Tasmanian through and through, and he is very solid and sensible.

Not the panicky type by any means.

He mentioned that they had a case that we may be interested in, and perhaps we could possibly help him with.

Smythe-Jones looked more keenly at the two detectives.

Apparently they have now had three murder robberies, of a most brutal nature. Also a fourth murder of a uniform Police Constable that was particularly gruesome in the manner of the way he was attacked and despatched.

All of the crimes were seemingly by the same rather odd perpetrator who is described as huge and remarkably ugly.

The murders and robberies, where about did they happen boss? Rayner looked keenly at Smythe-Jones.

Well two of them were of high rolling gamblers near the Launceston Casino. The latest was of another gambler who had won a considerable amount at the Wrest Point Casino in Hobart.

Also, it was at that scene in the Casino car park where the murder occurred and where the Police Constable arrived and was attacked and killed.

The Constable apparently fired at and hit the attacker at least twice.

All the victims were virtually hacked to pieces by the assailant.

Murnaghan had a slight frown on his face, They sound very nasty crimes boss, but should they involve us?

Is it the type of criminal you think we are best suited to track?

Surely on the island they should be able to easily trace someone that they have a description of and who is wounded, without the 'Network' being involved.

We understood when you recruited us from New South Wales that it was to work primarily on cases that were of a high profile and particularly of an occult nature?

Quite so and a good question Jim, and the short answer is, I'm not really sure if it is for us.

But and a big but, is that there are a couple of rather unusual things in this case that may need our expertise to finalise.

The last robbery homicide and the murder of the Constable were witnessed by someone who was only a very short distance away when it happened.

This witness reports that the constable fired three times and definitely hit the killer.

The witness says that the killer staggered with the impact of the shots which were fired from only a few feet away.

Now fortunately the first detective at the scene was a senior one. He immediately recognised that this was a very serious situation and he secured the entire area as a crime scene.

Although it was very late at night, he contacted the Superintendent of the CIB. Who then immediately mustered their entire Forensic team and got them there post haste, under sirens and flashing lights.

Smythe-Jones smiled at them obviously enjoying the mental picture of the senior officers roused from their beds in the middle of the night.

He continued. Now the witnesses’ description of the attacker is unusual to say the least, particularly in relation to his speech patterns and behaviour.

But one of the major curious items in this case is the state of the Constable's bullets.

It was reported that the Constable fired three times.

Forensics recovered two flattened slugs that were from the Constable's pistol. Immediately at the place in the car park where the witness reported that the attacker was standing when the Constable shot him.

The flattened bullets had obviously impacted upon something or someone and had distorted on the impact.

The third bullet was recovered from the wing of a parked vehicle.

All three missiles have been subjected to intense forensic examinations in Tasmania and also here in Canberra. With the exception of the one recovered from the car, they have no traces of contacting anything except the barrel of the weapon they were fired from.

Obviously it was expected they would have traces of the perpetrators DNA, and or clothing. Or of a protective vest or plate or something they hit, but there no traces of them hitting or passing through anything!

Absolutely nothing at all.

Rayner chimed in A plate, like Ned Kelly, is that why you mentioned Bush-rangers boss?

No Briny, I've probably mislead you both there.

My apologies for confusing the situation by saying that.

I don't know why I mentioned Bush-rangers. It was just another unusual factor of the killing of the Constable, and I made that remark without really thinking it through.

The other unusual aspect was that not only did the killer remove the Constable's head and pistol. He was seen to take with him the boots from the Constable's feet.

It must have passed through my head when I was speaking with you that the last time I heard of someone stealing shoes in a violent crime. It must have been back in the day of the Bush-rangers, and unfortunately I verbalised that thought.

It's probably irrelevant.

Rayner said He took the boots off the Constables feet!

Smythe-Jones simply nodded.

Murnaghan looked up, What size where the Constable's boots boss?

Smythe-Jones frowned and looked towards the ceiling, I don't know Jim, and I don't think that has been mentioned in the files.

Why do you ask?

Not sure, seems like something that would be known seen as they were taken away by the killer.

He must have had some purpose for them.

Might give us an idea of the size of his feet.

Smythe-Jones nodded.

Murnaghan again spoke, You mention speech patterns and a description, don’t the Tassie Detectives have any ideas for an I.D.?

Well yes Jim they think they do, the witness states that he heard the killer mention that he would never be taken back to 'Norfolk'.

You may or may not know that until the year two thousand a mental hospital that housed some of the most dangerous and disturbed criminals in Tasmania was at the Royal Derwent Hospital. It was was situated in New Norfolk.

The Tasmanian detectives have been trolling relentlessly through the old hospitals records, which apparently are not in the best order.

They have also interviewed a number of ex-patients and staff, but currently they have located no names of any firm suspects.

They are also still searching in and around the area of the hospital and grinding through whatever they can find that is still available.

Rayner was frowning, Boss you said that the killer took the Constable's pistol boots and head!

Do they know what he did with the head?

Indeed they do Briny.

The Constable's head was found perched on a wall near the foreshore of the river Derwent, around five hundred or so metres from the scene.

The head was turned facing back towards where the crime had taken place, and both eyes had been put out and destroyed.

It appeared that they were stamped on, but again no trace of the killers DNA.

God that is hideous.

Why do that?

What else did this bastard do to the poor guy?

"Well Briny, in addition to consistently addressing the Constable as 'trooper'. Apparently, the killer in addition to virtually chopping off his gun hand was heard to say before the attack, that if the Constable didn't leave he would 'Cross him out'."

It now appears he was talking literally at this time, as the Constable was killed by two diagonal slashes across his chest in the form of a cross.

Both of the slashes were delivered with sufficient force to cleave through the Constable's ribs and underlying organs.

This was prior to the decapitation.

The weapon the killer used has now been identified as a wide bladed machete.

Murnaghan was shaking his head, and looking thunderous.

This is really a very bad business. I particularly don't like the sound of the bullets flattened by nothing, and the whole savagery of the crimes.

Precisely Jim that is why I thought that it could be well worth the while for you and Briny to spend a day or so in Tasmania.

Talk to the relevant people and see if we can lend a hand in caging this animal.

If after you have prodded a few bodies you feel that it is not really our cup of tea, then give Cheryl a call and come on home.

If this case is not for us, then I'm sure we have other cases that will interest you.

Anyway, that is my summation of the events. But you two are in the hot seat!

Smythe-Jones swept up two files from a drawer in his desk and slid them across the desk towards the detectives.

Those are copies of the actual file, with all reports and statements I have received from Commissioner Cassion.

"Read them thoroughly and if either of your guts tell you this is not 'our' type of case then send the files back to me, and we'll talk about where you would be more productively employed."

If you do want to continue with it and have any questions tell Cheryl to make the arrangements for travel and accommodation and give me a call on my private line.

The two detectives picked up the file stood up nodded to Smythe-Jones turned and left the room.

CHAPTER THREE

On returning to their desks Rayner and Murnaghan spread out the files contents in front of them.

Both started reading, Murnaghan opened a desk drawer extracted a highlight pen from it, and was making marks on the pages as he read.

Finally both of them sat back, and looked at each other.

What do you think Briny?

Well two Chinese men murdered one in Launceston and the other in Hobart with the Constable.

I suppose that's not remarkable that they were Chinese amongst big spending gamblers.

The other one killed in Launceston was a local who just got lucky on the night it seems.

All of them killed very messily, with a machete, and by the same guy by the look of it.

Apart from the bullets having no traces, it could be just a nutter on the rampage. One who doesn't like gamblers or Policemen.

Maybe the Hobart detectives are right, could be someone who escaped. Or was an old patient from New Norfolk.

I'm not so sure Briny; there are a few things that don't seem right apart from the bullets.

What about the archaic language the perp has been heard using?

Trooper. Thee. Thy. Cross Thee out?

What about the thing with the Constable's head why poke out the eyes and squash them.

As I said Jim. A nutter!

Murnaghan looked down at the highlighted notes he had taken from the files.

He's too lucky to be just a nutter Briny.

No one has been found yet to have seen him in or around the casinos before the killings.

Yet he managed to rob and kill three men, who had all won considerable amounts at the tables and were on their way to their cars.

How did he pick those particular victims?

From the witnesses statements in Launceston and Hobart he should stand out like a sore thumb wherever he is.

He’s huge in height and body.

He’s as ugly as sin, with scars or pockmarks all over his face.

Also he’s carrying a bloody great machete with him.

Yet he's only been noticed during or immediately before or after the attacks!

Rayner nodded looking thoughtful, You're probably right Jim.

No It doesn’t add up does it.

Neither does the strange things with the boots and the bullets.

The whole feel of the thing isn't right is it?

I really don't like the smell of it either.

Just didn't want you to think I was pushing for it because I like getting down to Tassie.

We should probably get down there and have a sniff around, shake a few trees, rattle a few cages and find out just what and who this bastard is!

Well I agree Briny, let’s go and see Cheryl and make the arrangements mate.

CHAPTER FOUR

I have made tentative arrangements for you for a flight tomorrow to Hobart leaving at nine thirty in the morning.

Murnaghan looked back at Cheryl with an unconcealed question on his face.

Cheryl looked as cool and collected as ever. Mr Smythe-Jones told me that he assumed that you two would elect to travel there soon.

I find that Mr. Smythe-Jones is seldom if ever wrong with any of his assumptions.

So if that's convenient for you both then I'll confirm the flights, and also the booking for your rooms at the Travelodge hotel in Hobart.

Rayner had a huge smile on his face as he reached out across the desk and gripped Cheryl's hand. Cheryl you are not only beautiful and practical, but you also obviously have the most marvellous ESP.

However did you know that the Travelodge is my favourite hotel in all of Tasmania?

Oh Cheryl I could tell you of such times in that wonderful place!

Well I'm very pleased to hear that you find it to your liking Mr Rayner, and I do hope that you find it suitable too Mr Murnaghan. Cheryl had a pleased smile on her face that she was trying hard to contain, and she was also attempting to subtly release her hand from Rayner's grip.

After freeing her hand Cheryl continued, You can leave your cars at the airport in the official area there. I will arrange for the local office in Tasmania to have a vehicle for you to collect at the airport in Tasmania.

If you wish me to make any further arrangements please let me know.

No. Thank You Cheryl, as always I think you have done more than could be expected.

Briny and I better go now and tidy our desks and then pack and get ready for the flight tomorrow.

Well good luck gentlemen. I do hope that you have an enjoyable time in Tasmania. Cheryl smiled at them, and then turned purposefully to her computer.

Once more back at their desks, Murnaghan turned to Rayner and said. Apart from the obvious ones, have you got any questions that we need to fire at the boss before we leave?

No Jim, there's just that nagging feeling that something is really wrong about the whole deal down there.

Something that is really wrong with this bastard who is going around killing people with a machete, and just walking away and disappearing!

How about you have you got anything?

"Just more of the same Briny. I’ve got that bad feeling