Echoes in the Woods by Georgina Scott (ebook reader web txt) 📕

“Jesus!” he said putting the handkerchief to his face covering his mouth and nose. The smell in the air was vile, putrid, the state of the decomposing bodies brought up coffee and bile from the pit of his stomach. He could see the ripped, torn flesh, with some left on the ground, where the pigs had got disturbed and left it reluctantly.

“You can spit over there. I can see this is your first time; the pigs ate most of the arm, leaving the hand. We are lucky the pigs were disturbed.”

“Lucky!” he said interrupting and retching at the same time.

“Yes Inspector, lucky. Otherwise there wouldn’t be anything left to identify. You see, pigs will eat anything and everything including bone,” said Molly.

“Why are some of the victims tied to trees?” he said

“If you look closer at the trunks, Inspector, you will see letters carved into the bark. I am guessing it’s the victim’s initials as all the trees have different letters. Also the positioning of the trees selected with its victim forms a circle. There is something else you need to see, Inspector. Look at the base of the tree; you will see the soil disturbed. It’s the same for all the trees that were victim selected,” said Molly.

“Oh my god, this was planned. Were there any instruments found, the murder weapon?” he said, scratching his fingers into his chin.

“No, he was very thorough with the clean-up. There’s more, come with me, Inspector,” said Molly.

They walked around to victim No 4, “Female, blonde, word ‘BITCH’ spelt in blood on her forehead and also stabbed multiple times and gutted; the others weren’t killed like her. The perpetrator relished in this killing, it’s vicious, vehement and he wanted her punished to make an example of her,” said Molly.

“The killer definitely has made a statement. This is personal, a grudge, but who would kill six kids,” said Chief Inspector Rankin running his hands through his hair.

“Definitely male, strong and intelligent,” said Molly.

“Thank you Molly, keep me updated. I will leave Sergeant Morgan with you, if you need to get hold of me,” said Chief Inspector Rankin. He was relieved to be getting out of there, as he started to make his way out of the woodland.

***

Senior Sergeant Morgan was nicknamed wanker by his colleagues. Not a well-liked member of the police force, especially amongst his female counterparts, he had been caught on a few occasions taking photos of female officers and wanking over them in the male toilets or changing rooms. Now, on his last formal warning and undergoing therapy, which was a decision his superiors made on the proviso that if he didn’t go to therapy then his discharge from the force would be imminent, he was on his best behaviour, despite his urges for sexual pleasure.

His ex-wife, Wendy, left and divorced him because of the stigma and embarrassment he brought upon the family, she became paranoid over the events and believed she was mocked behind her back and felt she couldn’t go out of the house without people staring and sniggering, even though none of the events were revealed to the public. So she decided to move to Melbourne with the three kids who now saw him rarely and now called someone else Daddy, which grated on him immensely.

Seeing Chief Inspector Rankin emerge from the woods, he started to head towards him. “Sir, we have managed to get hold of the school principal. She has closed the school for the next couple of days until we clear the area. Here is her number, sir; she would like you to contact her. Also the media have gotten wind and are arriving; the whole surrounding area is now cordoned off, and a journalist was seen and found in the woods taking photos,” he said.

“What photos did they manage to take?” said the inspector.

“Hopefully, we caught them before they could get close enough, however, we have confiscated their equipment. I have the boys checking that out now before we hand it back. They are threatening us with law suits up the yin yang,” said Sergeant Morgan.

“Good, zero tolerance, Sergeant Morgan. Before I head back to the station I will go and speak to the press. You have my number, Sergeant, anything further materialises, let me know straight away, and let me know if they find anything on their equipment,” said Inspector Rankin

“Yes, sir,” Sergeant Morgan replied.

Standing in front of the media Chief Inspector Rankin, looked comfortable and enjoyed the attention despite the terrible scenes he just saw. He then got into his car and headed back to the station.

Upon arriving at the station the press were waiting outside.

“Sir, the chief super is asking for an audience with you, as soon as possible,” said Senior Sergeant Melody.

“Yes, thank you, Sergeant. That’s where I am heading now. Could you check the logs from the last 48 hours on any reported missing children and put the list on my desk?” said Inspection Rankin, looking all rushed and flustered.

“Yes, sir,” said Senior Sergeant Melody.

As he approached the chief’s office, he said hello to his secretary, as she told him to go straight through, “He is waiting for you.” He tapped on the door to gather his composure and then walked in. “Sir,” he said, not noticing at first, the commander sitting in a chair. They exchanged pleasantries.

"Sirs, we have six dead children, brutally murdered in the Woodland Reserve located at the back of Rosemary Connolly Academy in the Northern Territory. Forensics estimate time of death within the last 48 hours. Area and surrounding, including the school have been cordoned off. The press are onsite and have already been caught within the restricted area and we have confiscated their equipment, only a matter of time until we know if they have contaminated the scene.

“Sir, I would like to be tasked with this one, I feel I am the right person for the job, to get a quick resolution,”