The Clivilius Journals Volume 2: Sarah Lahey

By Nathan Cowdrey and Joshua Cowdrey

Hell-bent on solving the series of mysterious disappearances that ravage the Tasmanian community, Sarah’s actions have unintended consequences, ultimately leading to a frightful conclusion.

Enjoy our continuously growing universe of interconnected stories all centred around Earth and Clivilius and unravel the mysteries that span centuries. The Clivilius Brothers blend fiction and reality to take you on a mind-bending ride. In this sci-fi thriller you'll find mystery, drama, action and lots of romance! Witness the birth of a new civilisation and unravel the mysteries of Clivilius. You'll fall asleep at night wondering... is Clive watching you?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781387393152

Book preview

The Clivilius Journals

Volume 2: Sarah Lahey

Enjoy our continuously growing universe of interconnected stories all centred around Earth and Clivilius and unravel the mysteries that span centuries. The Clivilius Brothers blend fiction and reality to take you on a mind-bending ride. In this sci-fi thriller you'll find mystery, drama, action and lots of romance! Witness the birth of a new civilisation and unravel the mysteries of Clivilius. You'll fall asleep at night wondering... is Clive watching you?

© Clivilius Corporation. All rights reserved.

Published by Nathan Cowdrey & Joshua Cowdrey.

First Edition, 18 December 2022

ISBN 978-1-387-39315-2

www.clivilius.com

Sarah Lahey

Hell-bent on solving the series of mysterious disappearances that ravage the Tasmanian community, Sarah's actions have unintended consequences, ultimately leading to a frightful conclusion.

Hey there! I'm Detective Sarah Lahey. Born in Hobart, Tasmania and I’ve lived here my whole life. I've managed a few brief trips to Melbourne, but that is the furthest I’ve ever travelled from home. My older brother, Oscar, lives in London. We don't talk often, but every time we do, he tries to persuade me to move there with him.

With my somewhat adrenaline junkie personality, you'd think the idea of moving across the other side of the world would excite me. But truth be told, since my parents passed away tragically when I was nine, I can't imagine leaving my grandmother behind. We are all that each other have left, and she means everything to me.

I prefer to keep my love life private. There isn't much to share, really. Secretly, my colleague, Karl, and I, have the most incredible sex. I know I'm beginning to develop deeper feelings for him. Things can get a little kinky, but I think the intimacy we share has helped strengthen our relationship. I trust him completely. We've tried to keep our relationship under the radar at work. But how do you keep a secret when you work with a bunch of detectives?

There have been reports of some strange disappearances in Hobart the last few days. I'm a hundred percent convinced that I'm investigating my first homicide, if not multiple homicides! I have mixed feelings about that. I've heard horror stories about murders others have investigated, but the minds of the deranged and psychotic fascinate me. The idea of being close on the heels of Hobart's worst psycho gives me chills and gets my blood pumping. I'm ready to take him down!

4338.209.1

An unfortunate truth

Waking from a dream, I come to grips with the painful reality of my grandmother’s future.

Oh, Karl, I whispered, as I stared across the room at the hunk of a man that stood in the doorway, his white shirt hanging open, revealing an evenly trimmed, muscular chest. I’ve been waiting for you.

I lay on the soft bed, letting my body sink into the bare mattress as Karl took a step closer. I held my breath. He took another slow step toward me. Then another, stopping only when he reached the end of the bed.

I ran my hands over my naked breasts. They were smooth and heavy to the touch. Do I please you? I asked.

Yes, Karl replied. You always please me.

Without warning, Karl knelt down on one knee, resting his left arm on the cold iron bed frame. Rolling to my knees, I peered at his right hand as it slid its way into his trouser pocket.

My heart stopped beating. I couldn’t help but think that he was just about to pull out a small box containing a glimmering piece of jewellery, made to fit my finger perfectly.

Oh, Karl! I whispered again.

Karl’s bright blue eyes grew wide. He fell onto his back with a loud thud.

Concerned, I peered out over the edge of the bed. Karl lay on the hard floor, grinning up at me. He held a small box open in the palm of his large hand. A single piece of rose-gold jewellery sat upon a soft silk pillow in the centre of the small box, it’s gem flashing like the fire of a faraway star.

Oh, Karl, I whispered softly, touching myself again. I love you. Yes! Yes, of course!

Karl sat up and slowly slid the diamond ring onto my slender finger. He leaned in to kiss me gently on the forehead.

I love you, I whispered gently again. Oh, I love you…I love you, I continued to say, my voice fading into the warm air that surrounded me.

Suddenly, a wave of fear swept over me, breaking the spell as the realisation of where I was flooded my mind, washing away the vision of that beautiful man, ready to make love to me after asking me to be by his side, forever.

As consciousness returned, I didn’t dare open my eyes, but I already knew it was too late. I could feel my face growing hot with embarrassment.

Are you alright there, my dear? an old woman’s voice spoke gently from the bed, no more than a few metres away from where I lay, curled up in my late grandfather’s favourite recliner.

Hmm? I groaned innocently, stretching my arms widely and forcing a faked yawn. Maybe if I pretend not to remember, my grandmother will let it be.

You were making quite the noise over there. I was beginning to worry about you. All that moaning, she said, the slightest of grins pulling at the corners of her tired mouth. You may be nearly thirty now, but don’t you worry. Your time will come.

My heart melted. I took my time, soaking in the view of my grandmother’s beautiful sparkling eyes, spreading their warmth across her wrinkled face, lit up by my own sleepy foolishness. The embarrassment was worth every second to see my ninety-two-year-old grandmother smile like that.

It had been five years since my grandfather had passed away, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight. For three of those years, my grandmother had lived in this small retirement home in the heart of Hobart. I wished that I had the time and energy to care for my ageing grandmother full-time, it simply wasn’t an option. My parents had passed away many years ago while travelling overseas. I was only nine at the time. My mother’s parents had generously taken me and my older brother, Oscar, in. Oscar had since moved to London to chase after a love interest, so he had very little time to devote to us. We were lucky if we spoke more than twice a year. My father’s parents had both passed away a decade ago. So, for all intents and purposes now it was just me and my grandmother.

I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jane, I said, grinning from ear to ear. I wrestled myself out of the recliner and gave my legs a good stretch.

Collecting my shoes from across the floor, I stepped up to the edge of my grandmother’s bed and bent over to kiss her softly on the cheek. I’ve got to go home and get ready for work, I said. I’ll let the reception staff know on my way out that you’re awake and ready for your morning routine, I finished.

Thank you, dear, Jane said, taking my hand and squeezing it gently.

Despite the warm smile that covered my face as I left the small room, my finger wiped quickly at a tear before it had a chance to find its way down my cheek. Jane hadn’t mentioned anything to me herself, but I know she would have given her consent. She had to know by now that I knew. Last week, the specialist had informed me that Jane was riddled with cancer and she may only have a matter of weeks to live. The doctors couldn’t explain what had happened. It was like it had appeared from nowhere. Even stranger, my grandmother didn’t seem to be in any pain or discomfort. I just hoped it stayed that way for however long she had left.

4338.209.2

Sergeant & louise

Uncomfortable, sweaty and confused, I search for Detective Karl Jenkins.

I arrived at the police station early. After my grandmother had caught me moaning through my dream, there was no point in wasting any time. I lived by myself, without even a goldfish to keep me company. But I was comfortable with that. I’d rather be investigating a mysterious crime than sitting alone in an empty, silent home.

Detective Lahey, a deep voice called out from down the corridor as I walked out of the changing rooms toward the open-plan office where my rather cluttered desk was waiting for me.

I stopped abruptly and turned to face the owner of the voice. A shiver ran across my shoulders as though someone had just walked across my grave. Yes, Sergeant Claiborne? I responded.

Are you busy?

Right now, Sir? I asked, uncertain where this discussion was heading.

Yes, right now, Detective, the Sergeant confirmed.

No, Sir, I answered cautiously. What do you need?

Have you seen Detective Jenkins yet? Claiborne asked.

No, not yet, Sir. I knew that Karl, my partner, was likely still sleeping off a hangover, but I hadn’t interacted enough with the Sergeant yet to feel comfortable covering for him.

Claiborne scowled, clearly dissatisfied by my answer, You’ll have to join me then.

My heart skipped a beat. Join him where? He couldn’t mean an interview, surely. I’d never seen the Sergeant conduct an interview before.

Sergeant Claiborne looked me over quickly. You’ve got five minutes, he said sternly. Then I want you to join me in interview room one.

Yes, Sergeant, was all I could manage to say.

Arriving at my desk, my palms began to sweat at the thought of being alone with the Sergeant. I pushed through the stacks of paper on the desk, searching for a notebook. Unable to find a suitable pencil or pen that worked, I borrowed one from Karl’s desk, knowing he would notice it was missing, but given the time-poor situation, I really didn’t care. Karl’s desk was the opposite of mine. It was perfectly clean, not a single piece of paper out of place.

Normally, Karl would complain if I took something from his desk without asking. But right now, I just didn’t have the time to look for another one. Besides, I thought, he’s not here to ask. He will miss out on an interview and it’s his own fault.

I walked briskly down the corridor, heading straight for meeting room one, down the far end. Sergeant Claiborne was already standing outside the door waiting, hands placed perfectly behind his back in his typical formal style.

You’re late, he said, looking purposely at his watch.

Sorry, Sergeant, I apologised. Shit, I thought. Seven minutes instead of five.

Allowing the Sergeant to enter the small, windowless room first, I then followed, closing the door behind me.

Louise, Sergeant Claiborne said. "This is