Love That Goes Above & Beyond

By Darcy Wiemers

Detective Sergeant Sam Mackenzie's life is thrown into chaos with the murder of his wife, fellow police officer Chloe, and their unborn son. Sam is not coping with his grief; however, he finds a special way of communicating his feelings. He also seeks support in Mt. Isa, his hometown.

With his best friend Billy Williams (aka "Blue") Sam tr

• Language: English
• Publisher: Darcy Wiemers
• Release date: Sep 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9780645391633

Darcy Wiemers

Author of two published books (1) Kimberley Kindred Spirits - an Ebook Published with Amazon KDP and (2) Love that goes Above & Beyond - a Paperbook and Ebook published with Ingramspark. I have completed a Novel Writing Course and a Script Writing All Media Course with TAFE College, Brisbane, Queensland. I have an Associate Diploma in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Studies, TAFE College, Cairns, Queensland. I am the author or tourism related articles for Travel Magazines as well as writing for various newsletters, plus short stories and articles for magazines and competitions.

Book preview

One

Sam Mackenzie’s life had taken a different direction from those of his family and friends in relation to career choice. On graduation from College in Mt. Isa, he studied criminology at Griffith University, Mt. Gravatt in the capital, Brisbane. What ensued after completing his study was a career in the Queensland Police Force, initially as a uniformed officer. With study and dedication, he achieved his preferred role as Detective Sergeant in the Criminal Investigation Branch or referred to as the CIB.

Despite a rewarding career, solving crimes, ending the careers of some of the state’s most notorious criminals, he believed his life unfulfilled, until he met the beautiful Chloe. She was a female Police Officer working in the Juvenile Aid Branch. After a brief period of courtship, they were married. Life together fulfilled all their hopes and dreams. No more so than in their third year of married bliss, Chloe surprised Sam with the news that she was pregnant with scans confirming they were having a son. Chloe continued to work into her second trimester, for which in hindsight Sam experienced feelings of regret because he didn’t insist she take leave earlier. The more stressful areas in the Juvenile Aid concerned domestic violence situations which could result in aggressive behaviour.

Senior Constable Chloe Mackenzie and her partner Constable Arthur Burns received a call out to attend a domestic violence disturbance, after a concerned neighbour called triple zero. She had heard loud shouting and threats of physical violence made by the husband, Jimmy Johnson, against his wife and two children. The neighbour advised it wasn’t the first time she’d heard similar threats and was now concerned.

While Constable Burns moved closer to the house to check for signs of danger, Senior Constable Mackenzie downloaded a file on the male respondent, Jimmy Johnson. Concern registered immediately when she found he had an outstanding notice in relation to questioning over a previous domestic violence matter. He also had a criminal history for drug dealing, but most alarming was the fact he’d been charged and found guilty with gun possession. Chloe called to Arthur to act immediately to cordon off the house while she called for backup. Using a loud hailer to get Johnson’s attention, she stepped closer to the house.

‘Mr. Johnson, this is Senior Constable Mackenzie. We have received a call about a domestic violence situation concerning your wife and children. Please open the door and step outside with your hands above your head. If you appear with any weapons, we will respond with lethal force.’

‘Ahh, piss-off you bloody pigs. This ain’t got nothin’ to do with youse mugs.’

‘Those sirens you hear, Mr. Johnson, are back-up heading here. I advise you to surrender now, or at least send your wife and children out,’ ordered Senior Constable Mackenzie.

Suddenly, without warning, Johnson appeared from the side of the house firing rounds from a double-barrelled shotgun. It took Chloe by surprise and although she had her own weapon drawn, before she could aim and fire, the blast from the shotgun caught her in the lower part of her body. Her partner Constable Arthur Burns fired three quick gun shots in the attacker's direction, but it was dark, and he disappeared into the dense bush. Arthur took after the man, however, there was no trace of him, so he returned to the crime scene to help Chloe. As he put in a call for an ambulance, three police cars with lights and sirens screamed to a halt, with officers in bullet-proof vests brandishing weapons alighting to rush the house. Chloe’s gunshot wound caused a massive loss of blood, and although still alive, her vital signs were not good.

By the time Detective Sergeant Sam Mackenzie arrived at the Brisbane hospital, Chloe was in surgery and waiting was more stressful than he could have imagined. The ensuing hours were going to be the worst he’d ever had to endure. From his knowledge and experience of such incidents, and considering it was his wife, made it almost unbearable. He felt powerless as grief overwhelmed him. He had to keep it together and try not to display the emotions of sadness and anger. Sam had sat with many family members who’d undergone similar experiences and could sympathise with them. He now had a unique insight into exactly what they would have gone through.

When, after several excruciating hours, Sam was approached by a doctor, he knew instinctively from the look on his face that the news would be bad. Images of his beautiful Chloe, the love of his life and soul mate, flashed through his mind. Thoughts also of his unborn son, who he’d imagined growing up under his loving guidance. It was Sam’s fervent hope for his son to be educated as he had been in the ways of his ancestors, his tribal people, the Kalkadoons. The acceptance of the finality of the future overwhelmed Sam. He broke down as tears flowed.

Presently, he felt a powerful arm across his shoulders and turned to see it belonged to Police Chaplain George Jones. He collapsed into the embrace of the Chaplain who expressed his utmost sorrow for what happened to Chloe. ‘Just take your time, Sam. I am here to offer any help you need. Into the future between myself and the Human Services Officer Patricia Armytage, we are at your beck and call to guide you through the tough times and no doubt there will be many.’

‘Thanks George. I really appreciate you being here, but there’s a major gap in my life now that will forever be a void. It’s all so sudden and so final. Couples look to a future together with family, sharing good times. Growing old gracefully together. How can I ever come to terms with this loss?’ questioned Sam, looking bereft of spirit.

The doctor gave Sam a few minutes to compose himself, then asked him if he would like to sit with Chloe for a while. Sam nodded agreement and soon the stark reality of seeing the now lifeless form of his beloved partner hit him. It was like the force of a massive ocean wave, breaking over a stricken vessel that was himself. He visibly staggered, and a nurse steadied him and placed a chair beside where Chloe lay. She looked so serene, but now only the motionless shell of the beautiful woman he passionately loved.

The nurse leaned in closer to his ear and whispered clearly in an Irish accent, ‘Sam, your wife’s spirit is still present. She would know your presence.’ With that he stood unsteadily, leaned over Chloe, kissed her forehead, then lightly placed his lips on hers, lingering several seconds. With tears falling onto her face, he moved closer to her ear. ‘My dear, beautiful Chloe. I have loved you from the first moment we met. You changed my life and gave me purpose and direction. I promise to keep going, difficult as it will be, because I believe you will always be with me. I hope you will feel my love as I do yours. Have a safe journey to wherever I hope is the resting place you deserve. Until we are together again, sweetheart, my deepest love.’

After reluctantly dragging himself away, he turned to the nurse, who had mentioned Chloe’s spirit being present, and thanked her for such a meaningful gesture. ‘You don’t know how much that meant to say those words to Chloe and believe she was aware of me, of my love and emotions. I am an Indigenous person, and we believe our ancestors and departed loved ones live on through their spirits and we can always call on them to give us strength and guidance. I am relieved to have had this time with her. Can I ask your name?’

‘My name is Bernadette and you’re welcome,’ the nurse replied. ‘Let me share with you the Irish Blessing that I hope helps you. May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back. May the sun, shine warmly on your face, the rain, fall softly on your fields and until you meet again with your loved one, may the good Lord hold you in the palm of his hand.’

The next week was the most soul draining Sam had ever gone through. Having been to crime scenes and seen families devastated by a tragic death, he thought he knew how he would cope with the finality of the last farewell. But seeing and experiencing were two totally different things, especially at Chloe’s moving service, to celebrate her life and say goodbye. The Queensland Police Force had a special way of honouring their fallen members, making Sam feel embraced in the bonding from the Commissioner down to the most junior officers.

The reality of life hit him like a powerful punch to his heart when Chloe’s coffin containing her body and that of their unborn son slowly disappeared into the ground. Sam couldn’t possibly imagine what his life would be like without them. Waking up beside Chloe, the warmth of her body, the memory of her loving embrace so powerful. The image of his baby boy in his arms and planning all the things they would do together. His family had flown down from Mt. Isa and strongly supported him, also his police mates would be on hand to help him through the difficult times.

As Sam’s family consoled him, he looked across the grave at the sight of Chloe’s mother and father, Sybil and Brian McCarthy, and went immediately to embrace them, knowing they were experiencing similar depths of grief as himself. ‘I can only say that I loved your daughter with all my heart and soul. While I’m finding it almost impossible to cope with the total loss of such a beautiful person, I can’t begin to imagine what you, her parents, are going through. I want to assure you I’m always here for you both and I promise to do everything in my power to bring to justice the man responsible. Any other way I can help, please contact me.’

‘Thank you, Sam. Together, we will get through this,’ affirmed Chloe’s mother. ‘As tragic as this is, we want to make Chloe’s death meaningful by setting up a foundation in her name to assist women undergoing all forms of domestic violence. Phone us and visit from time to time. We appreciate how much you loved our Chloe.’

As the weeks and months followed, Sam became