The Stretch: Murder Down Under

By Rhys Stalba-Smith

"They passed a signpost… Half a kilometer to being over 200 Kms alone…"

 

A deserted beach.
A suitcase of money.
A decision that will change a family forever.

All they have to do is survive the Stretch...

 

Six years ago Annie lost her husband in an accident.
Six days ago her and the kids were preparing to go camping on the Stretch.
Six hours ago they decided to hike in the sand hills.
Six minutes ago they found a body in an old shed.
Six seconds ago the man awoke and told Annie to take the suitcase and run!

 

Trapped on the shoreline for high tide, if Annie and her kids can escape the beach their lives will be changed forever.

But they're not the only ones after the money.

 

The 150 kilometer stretch of sand is home to many more things other than the seaweed, dunes, and grass. Predators are roaming. 

And they want what's theirs back.

 

Annie's dangerous wish turns deadly, will they make it off the Stretch or get bogged down in murder?

 

The debut work of Rhys Stalba-Smith is an unputdownable thriller set on the turbulent landscape of the South Australian coast. This suspenseful beach nightmare has a strong female lead and plenty of action.
And along with the boiling sun and vast open sands, you'll need a drink to keep cool while you read.

90s Australia… the land Down Under just became a lot more dangerous.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rhys Stalba-Smith
• Release date: Feb 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9798223057284

Rhys Stalba-Smith

Born in Adelaide, South Australia, Rhys has always been infatuated with stories and storytelling. After years of reading and scribbling with some form of practice, he studied the craft of writing at university and millions of words later, he’s come to understand that he still doesn’t know much about it. Now living in France, he remembers home by writing about where he came from, the characters that live there, and the places he’s seen on the vast island that is Australia. His ideas, be they sci-fi, crime, and every horrifying thing in between, often come while out hiking or taking public transport. His debut work The Stretch has been followed by his sophomore work A Killer Among Us, soon to be released.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The air was ripping in half, right down the middle, tearing length ways like a piece of paper through the ears and gut, that’s how Annie heard the tires deflating. Kneeling by the front driver’s side wheel she had a pen pressed into the valve. Now you’re gonna be careful aren’t ya Jodie? she said, looking at her daughter in the drivers seat.

Course I am, Jodie said, rechecking her hands on the steering wheel for the fifth time.

No sharp turns. Be wary of bumps in the track, Annie continued. Sticks and rocks too. Don’t want the tires coming off.

Jodie rolled her eyes. "It won’t happen. It only happens when driving on the road with deflated tires.

"I know, but you have to know that too. And it can happen. Anything can happen on the sand. You have to know—"

Mum. Stop. Annie turned to the rear of their Landcruiser, her son Brayden was deflating the rear tires. She’ll be fine. Just let her drive. You’ve been non-stop since we turned off the highway.

I worry. She’s only twelve.

Mum, Jodie pleaded. I’ll be fine. Drop it.

Okay. Annie stood, hands raising in submission. Dropped. But I’ll be up front with you the whole time. Annie turned to her second daughter, Sharn, in the rear of the car watching the proceedings through the window. How’ll she go?

Sharn scrunched her face. If she drives like she cooks? She shrugged her shoulders.

The recipe never said if it was fahrenheit or celsius! Jodie snapped.

Why would it be fahrenheit? Brayden laughed. He moved to the front car and began deflating the tire.

Mum, I swear I’ll be fine. Jodie motioned her hands through the gears again. Moving the vehicle into four wheel drive mode then out of it.

They were parked in the service area at the foot of the line of sand dunes. The divide onto the Stretch was a border crossing. The last line for civilisation. You could drive to the camp in a normal car, but you couldn’t get onto the Stretch in it. You needed something better equipped.

You good Bray? Annie asked.

Brayden nodded, rolled his shoulders and sat back into the car next to Sharn. You always gonna play that thing? Run outta batteries before the weekend. Sharn’s mouth twisted into a frown and she shrugged, not looking up from her gameboy.

Are you gonna ever wear anything other than that singlet? she replied. Brayden smiled and shook his head.

Jodie started the engine.

Right, what first? Annie asked. Jodie was motioning into the gears. Switched into four wheel drive, then into first. Edged forward slowly, getting the feel of the tires.

It’s slower than normal, Jodie said. But okay.

You’ll be fine, Annie assured her. If you’re unsure at all—

No.

Okay then. When you’re ready, head straight up the track. Annie pointed at the track. Remember what we practiced on Pop’s farm.

Jodie drove the car from the service area and for the trail. A natural dip in the dunes formed the entrance from Faring Crossing. There were only a few points a car could cross from, depending on the season and weather, but Faring at least was maintained and crossable almost year round. They passed a few tents in the shade of the sandstone cliffs and became surrounded by wattle bushes and low hung gum trees. Jutting rocks poked at the trail between salt bushes, never breaking line to become a hazard.

There’s a few speed bumps from memory, Annie said. But nothing serious.Drive confidently.

Yep, Jodie said, hands glued to the wheel.

Go on Jodes, give it some power, Brayden called from the back. Garn!

The car lumbered up the small hill with the rear of the car bouncing up and down. The trail veered and they were gone from the bush, entering the dune sea. The true crossing had begun. They wound the snakes path through the base of sand hills, climbing, then falling, through the hills and mounds. Jodie pressed her foot on the gas and they shot forward at the large hill coming towards them.

Not too keen, Annie said. Could be others coming. They were sliding and swerving up the face of the dune, climbing the trail.

Don’t fight it, Brayden added. Just follow the course. He pointed through the windshield.

The tires found the long worn tracks and they moved with more speed. Jodie changed back to second and the car screamed in revs. The last leg of the climb steepened and then the final lip, Jodie slowed, peering at the crest for other cars. Jodie gunned it at the lone tree. They crested the hill and rolled to a stop, a small cheer coming from the vehicle.

Well done, Annie said. Welcome to the Stretch.

I did it! Did you see me? I drove on.

Not yet, Sharn said, looking up from her gameboy. Not at camp.

Well we’ve got the driver that’ll get us there though, Annie said, turning back. Brayden slapped Jodie on the shoulder. Well done sis.

Jodie inched the car forward and they tipped down the other side. The lone, long dead acacia tree adorned the peak and was their own personal mark. The last guard of no man’s land. When the dreadful blights hit and the heat choked the land, everything in this zone remained untouched. Dried to bone long ago.

Their path continued rising and falling through the line of hills, widening and thinning, crawling around rock formations and through roving sands. They came to a section where the guide ropes were barely visible. Jodie slowed to a stop.

It’s okay, our tires will take it, Annie said. Just take it slowly.

When can I do it? Sharn asked.

Still a couple years off, Annie replied. You’re only ten.

Yeah but I’m not an idiot, she said. I got the highest mark in my class.

I’d say it’s worth a burn, Brayden said.

Well she can do it in your car, Annie said. But in my car, the first drive happens when you’re twelve. But if you put that thing down and pay a bit more attention, maybe you can do some flats driving. Sharn grunted and switched off the gameboy, mumbling.

For the last five years Annie and the kids had been camping on the Stretch. Crossing onto the beach front with their four wheel drive, their food in styrofoam boxes and coolers. Each year Brayden made it his mission to survive on what he could catch. Annie liked to think the trips were good for all of them. She was a different woman here too. The worries, joys, and anxieties of the daily plagued Annie almost disappearing. Like she was her younger self again.

That life was about two hundred kilometers away. Back in Adelaide. Then the real reason they camped during the last week of January was a further three and a half thousand kilometers away. Just enough distance between her and the anniversary of Sam’s death. She caught her reeling mind, trying to stop herself. Those were city Annie problems. Three in the morning Annie problems. The self that was taunted by the neighbours and their normality. None of them had driven hammer and tong out of a bad life. Never running from ghosts in rearview mirrors. At least when she closed her eyes down here and saw Sam she could open them and look at the stars. The surrounding long stretch of nothing suffocating her fears, that was what brought her back.

Can we go a bit faster? Sharn asked as they edged an odorous lagoon dried for the summer. I gotta piss something fierce an I’m about to burst! Brayden’s laugh shot out like a starters pistol, and Jodie almost stalled changing gears. Annie tried to tell her daughter off, but even she couldn’t help but smile.

Why didn’t you go back at the camp? she asked.

I didn’t need to, Sharn replied. Well I was playing the gameboy and didn’t think to, but all this up and down business. And I’ve heard you all say it! Jodie and Brayden were still laughing. I need to pee, Sharn called again.

They came over a small rise and the big blue wall that was the Indian ocean brought them to silence. Barrelling in and slamming itself onto the beach. Gone was the island protection or peninsula ecosystems, they were facing pure power and life. The family watched and Jodie slowed to a roll.

Always gets ya doesn’t it, Annie said to everyone.

They passed a signpost. Half a kilometer to being over 200 Kms alone…

The heat and sand surrounding them was close as they remained still. Annie could imagine the tires melting into the ground below. Slowly life returned as they neared the beach. The grasses coming back, blind searching roots above ground, salt bushes and wattles clinging to one another. To the left the lagoon was wider and the line of dunes thin between the sea. A guard of small trees grew in earnest. Then the beach was upon. The trail becoming the dark colour of wetted sand. A signpost going north or south divided the trail. Jodie swung the car left. South. They all leaned with the turning car and felt it slow in the softer beach sand. The sun was in it’s afternoon descent, lowering and coming in on their right Shining off of the water.

Now we’re on! Jodie said, happily fiddling with the radio. Let’s get some music going. But only static and dim snatches of conversation came through.

Only AM band down here, Annie said. Pop a cassette in. She opened the centre console and began going through the tapes, reading out band names and albums. Jodie spotted her own liking and jammed it in.

Whadya pick? Brayden asked.

Ya nose.

Nah serious.

"You’ll see."

Annie turned the volume up and the slow strains of violins began. INXS came to life, mid-track. Brayden swore lowly. Sharn agreed, turning her gameboy back on. The family stayed silent for the verse as Michael Hutchinson sang of love, pain, and hopeful redemption.

Fuck’n sap, Brayden mumbled.

But before Annie could say anything otherwise to him the hook kicked in. The family sang the riff of the twanged out guitar. Bum bum bum bummm. Bum bum bum bummm. Drum fill. Then, the hot air was wrought with the screaming saxophone solo. The trilling notes matching the heat. They all mimed instruments until it came to an end.

Knew you’d like it, Jodie said, a grin stretching her face.

Sharn frowned at her in the mirror, turned to Brayden. You catching a Mully this year? She was being cool.

Can only hope little sis.

You hoping that cooler of fish heads will do it? she asked, gesturing with her heard to the back.

Oh Brayden, Annie said, turning the music down. I forgot about that, I hope it’s not in the back with the food?

Brayden smiled. Nah. Well maybe. How else am I meant to catch one?

Skill? Jodie offered.

Well the supreme angler utilises all he can to catch his prey, Brayden said.

Not this again, Sharn said.

The supreme angler thinks like a fish. Is the fish. Know what I mean?

So if you were a mulloway you’d eat rotting food too? Sharn laughed.

Not rotting, fresh. I put ‘em in the freezer after buying ‘em. Should be nice and defrosted by the time we make camp.

And stinking, Annie said. I’m not having the smell of fish in here again. Took months to get out last year.

The sky was clear in all directions, barely a cloud. The beach below was loud and keen. The waves collapsing on themselves and fleeing up the beach. A few locals could be seen. Cars parked every few hundred metres, gulls nearby. The hills cut along to the left, surrounding them with blue sky, blue ocean, and the yellow land. The pull of the water was strong. Appearing gentle it was anything but. The flat beach made you think otherwise, but beneath the white was were the sea troughs. Lurking. Annie knew her kids were good swimmers, rarely let them go unsupervised. But she knew the undertow could pull you out if you weren’t careful. Brayden got washed a kilometer down coast last year, she had raised hell on him. The owner at the Salt Creek general store told her stories of people drowning too. From here all the way back to the drunken idiots at the Murray mouth flowing into the sea.

Annie watched the beach in her side mirror. Saw the undulating sand hills of the opposite path, the right turn. It was hardcore off-roading. Winches and recovery tracks a must as the sea churned the already thin strip of beach into close-knit peaks and troughs. The knuckles she’d heard them called. It was driveable. Passable at low tide, the owner of the Salt Creek general had said another time. When the sand’s not as steep and you can drive along the face, edging the water, you’re right, he said. Course ya fucked if a storm’s been or winter. Helluva Four-be track though if you’re game. Head’n to Fishies Pike that way is good fun. Chinaman’s Well too. One of the most fuck’n beautiful fuck’n places you could see! Birds’n shit, good fishin’. But, gotta be prepared.

Jodie was driving confidently now. A couple were parked by the water. Sitting and fishing from the tray of their ute, lines hanging out. They waved and the family waved back. Annie wondered what it would be like to go camping with such a small amount of gear. Their car was packed to the gunnels with the kids stuff, as well as their camping gear. Sharn refused to go anywhere without her gameboy, Jodie insisted on Ted coming along, and Brayden, since getting his swag, refused to sleep in anything else. Annie of course had brought her own possessions along, her own treasures. Problems from civilisation.

Annie took out a map of the Stretch, opening it awkwardly in the car. I was thinking we camp further up this year, she said. We’re normally so close to the entrance, but I reckon we’ll see a few more campers this weekend cause of the public holiday. If we go say here— She stabbed a spot on the map. —We’ll have better privacy. Can head to Pot Corner one day too?

As long as I get to keep driving I don’t care where we head, Jodie said.

Well on that, Annie began folding the map to locate another area. There’s more salt flats further up the beach. Twenty kilometers I’d judge. We can take the Landy for a burn out there. Maybe let you do some practice Sharn? If we camp here— She poked another spot.

What about me sandboard? Brayden asked.

Aren’t there always good dunes?

He nodded.

Jodie drove on, agreement having been made silently. Waves broke along the line and rushed towards the wheels. They saw more campers and fisherman. Empty beer bottles littering the sand around the rods and seats, fresh ones floating in the coolers among the bait. They were the locals. As it was Thursday most probably figured another night of fishing before heading off tomorrow. The fish would be scared by all the noise, they’d say. Truth was they were pissed by the increased activity.

Another ten minutes and they were alone. The Stretch was theirs. A hundred and fifty kilometers of nothing, barely anyone went outside a ten kilometer radius of the entrances. Annie looked at the dot on the map representing Faring Crossing. She imagined their little red dot driving along too. Roving. She felt she was watching prey. Watching herself. She still knew the repo men were coming this weekend. Still knew where their lives were headed yet again. Had almost forgotten the bills, almost forget the redundancy notice she’d received Friday.

They came to a small inlet, a shallow basin where the waves flowed in at high tide. You can either skirt around or go through it, Annie said. It’s not deep, and as long as you don’t stop you’ll be fine.

Jodie hesitated. Really? Get it all salty underneath?

We’re gonna be washing the car regardless. Nothing but salt and sand for the next week.

Jodie edged into the small pool and Annie wound down the window to check the height of water on their wheels, halfway up the rims. The water sloshed and splashed against their underside, the exhaust gurgled.

Not too bad Jodes. Brayden called from the back. Hit it at speed next time and we can make our own waves.

Don’t put ideas in her head, Annie said. Brayden winked at the rearview mirror. Now you can see that part up ahead, Annie pointed down beach. I think we could camp at the end, by the flat of the dunes. Look how wide it is?

Jodie brought the vehicle up onto the flat and continued. Seaweed had dried out on the sands, washed up last high tide or full moon. In the water other clumps of seaweed was leering at them. The dunes retreated further inland and soon the flat was at least twenty metres wide.

King tide’ll bring a bit of power this weekend, Brayden said. Probably wanna camp high. He pointed to the very back of the area.

Oh shit, I forgot about that, Annie said.

Oh shit, Sharn said.

Not now Sharn.

You said it.

Yeah and I shouldn’t have, Annie said.

Is here okay? Jodie asked.

Annie looked at the waves breaking on the beach and their spot. If you tuck in that corner, we’ll see how high the tide breaks tonight and gauge for the weekend then. We’ve got the lip there. When’s it break Brayden? she asked.

Sunday night from memory, he said. But it’ll be big all weekend I reckon. We’ve never camped on a king tide weekend.

No, Annie said. Jodie brought the car around slowly, revving high in first. Then she changed gears and began reversing back. Annie was chewing her lip. Just tuck us up in the corner, she said. There ya go. Nice and deep. Perfect.