Beyond the purple tree. Copy-write P. Audcent 2014
There lay beyond the fence line, a forest so thick even a person on hands and knees would have a struggle through the briar and fern undergrowth. But what made people hesitant were the low slung branches with spikes on every limb ready to peel back the skin of any who would trespass. It was late autumn or Fall as it was known hereabouts and the trees were in a bright reflective mode with every colour from red to bright purple bronze flashing in the swirling wind. They had predicted heavy winds for the area some days before and indeed they had come with a vengeance followed by heavy squalls of rain and cracking thunder besides. I suppose it was inevitable that a lightning strike would occur but only after the rain had eased considerably and the blasts of wind had once again dried the vegetation. The strike hit 'Old man Tatter tree' one of the highest in the forest and it blazed like a torch clearing out the undergrowth and neighbouring trees around. You could here the roar of the tree tops as they caught and the wind acting as a blow torch to the surrounding forest. There was a sentry post high up on 'Highwayman's hill' and they responded with the siren call which bought volunteers and police running to the Shire Brigade doors.
It was deemed dangerous to venture close to the heart of the fire so a helicopter backup was called to draw water from local dams and swing it over the flaming area time and time again. Then the Brigade went in to damp down the embers and fallen trees. After a few miles of driving through the forest on the loggers trails they eventually reached the now blackened stump of 'Old man' and commenced damping down the area around.
Number two crew group came across a blackened shell of a late model vehicle and its number plate hardly readable. Inside were the dehydrated bodies of two people crouched together in the back, on the floor below a dogs skeleton so they taped over the windows they had to smash with polythene and raised up the local police. They were all shaken by the find so a tow truck was ordered and the volunteers hoisted the car and its contents onto the flatbed where it was roped and chained off. The metal was still hot and many a hand got burnt even when they wearing thick gloves but they persisted until the job was finished. Several troopers marked the original site with coloured tape and one patrol man started asking questions of the Firies.
'Which one of you opened the car doors', was the first, but the crew chief shook his head and pointed up the vehicle on the flat bed. 'Welded shut all four of them tight as a tin of sardines, we had to break in via the windows'. The patrol man hoisted his female assistant up onto the tray and she nodded agreement.
Then he called for a forensic team to visit the site first, just in case before too much disappeared under foot. As the Patrol officer walked carefully over to the ground he noticed where the vehicle had lain it was some distance to the rear of the Old Man. Plus the vegetation on the ground was still green in places so he called the Crew chief over and asked him why it was not incinerated like the front. Chief pointed to the sky 'The wind came from behind and blasted everything in front, by the looks of it Old Man got a direct lightning strike so the flames were driven to the front, you can see some damage to the tree tops here in the rear but they were caught by the limbs of Old Man burning.'
So the Firies continued damping down whilst the flat tray was driven out and passed the forensic team coming in. They found nothing of interest and the ground around had several car tracks presumably left by the police and troopers. As they were preparing to leave one of the team called out for the photographer.
'Gus take a photo of these tracks over here and whilst you are at it do the whole area.'
'Tom they look like tractor tyre marks and pretty old by the looks of it.'
'Who bought a tractor into this desolate spot and why.' Then Tom of forensics turned to the Chief, who shook his head.
'Not one of us, we only use dozer's to clear a trail on grass fires and we did not see any tractors.'
Forensic Tom then rang his colleague and told her to come down before inspecting the car and it contents. She was called locally Forensic Pot, her own name unpronounceable. They called her 'Pot' at college so she was stuck with it, friends and colleagues asked why? Someone who knew her said the stuff affected men's minds. No mention of women though and there she stopped, no explanation just a sort of hidden anger beneath those hazel eyes that could out glare anyone.
So Pot arrived in a four wheel drive and she and Tom examined the tracks then followed them behind Old Man. Then they set up a minute search along the tractor trail. A cigarette stub and nothing else in the singed grass lying close to the top soil.
'Stumped out with the heel of a boot.' Tom nodded to Pot who bent down for a closer look.
'OK take a plaster copy of that print please, steel heel flaps and an an unusual pattern almost gone so very worn.' Pot stood up to let Tom mix and place the plaster.
'Did you get a chance to look at the vehicle yet?'
Pot shoot her head, 'I stopped it on its way and a quick check confirmed the Firies that the doors and trunk were all welded. We'll take a look later under lights but first we'll raise it up and look underneath.'
'For?'
'I guess we should find chain or strap marks, if it was towed here or on a trailer they would be there.'
They finished their search then had the area cordoned off. They thanked the Chief for their prompt action and for help loading the vehicle onto the flatbed. The Chief acknowledged the hand grips and shook his head in puzzlement.
'Beats me how they could have driven with the doors all welded shut.'
'Well,' said Pot ' Easily done it you don't need to stop for petrol but we will examine the car carefully, on first look it was on a big wheeled trailer or pulled here by a tractor or some such it, don't think it was driven here.'
Eventually they all retired back to their separate departments and Tom and Pot went to the Forensic police garage to take a close look. Already the car was up on the lift and they walked under it with the mechanic who pointed out some chain marking both on the front and rear crash bumpers.
'So now we have those marks which will give the size of chain and the one boot mark
Perhaps Tom you can get onto the net and look for a manufacturer tomorrow. Our mechanic can work the chain size and now lets get the car down and look it over.
They bought the lift down and studied the car exterior minutely. At the rear trunk they found a small twelve millimetre drilled hole.
'What do you suppose that was for? 'Tom looked at Pot.
'Lets get a sample around the hole before we open the trunk lid, my guess is something like the input of a gas. Then get one of the guys to feed a hose in and take a sample of the air, then get it analysed. We don't open up until that's done Tom, by the look of those skeletons they have been there a some time so a couple of days won't matter. In the meantime I'll do a check on the number plate.'
'Strange, Pot. No clothes inside they must have been quite naked.'
'Yes I noticed, you can see their ribs poking though skin as well as just under the dogs fur, that will give a great indication on the age.'
Having ordered the careful removal of the welds but to leave the vehicle shut for now the two left for their separate desks and the investigation of boot and number plate.
Pot found the licence number plate very quickly, Tom's choice took longer but there was a positive reaction from the hole. The weld marks were studied before the were filed away and these were found to made by an amateur, horrible was the professional view, not a normal clean ripple. Eventually the bodies were lifted gently and taken into the Forensic lab where they were examined carefully. The dog turned out to be a Golden Labrador and Tom was sicked immediately he was told, he had the same type at home. Pot continued her examination and discovered drill marks on on the bones of both. Drill punctures on the left ankle bone of each, so she immediately called in the Sheriff.
'What you got Pot?' he asked on the phone.
'Not suicide as we suspected but torture and murder. I say looks like a boy and girl about mid teens but will get some scrapping done and a DNA on both. Tom is pretty upset about the dog but it seems just asphyxiation by gas for all.'
'I guess we better start looking for missing teenagers, I'll keep you posted, but a full report for any ancillary stuff would help.'
'Yes I will do fingernails and mouth parts next but it appears to be a violent trauma on both kids, I'll let you know by this evening. Some skin left around the torso's and what looks like duct tape around the ankles and the upper torso and arms, just that one piece around both so looks like they were strapped together.'
Pot rang again that evening.
'Tom's feeling much happier, we found somebody else's blood on the teeth of the dog, seems the killer or killers made an enemy of the Labrador. Tom's sent it over for DNA, and that may help you a lot, have you any news of the missing people?'
'No not a bight if you'll excuse the pun, which is odd so we have to put out feelers beyond the county boundary and any help you can give us on bone material could help. By the way we found the cars owner, it had been bought over eight months ago, seems it was a planned killing and they needed a coffin and maybe the owner.'
Pot stayed on the line until the Sheriff came back with
'What's up Pot come on spit it out.'
'I'd say a revenge killing Jack pure supposition I know but it really looks very ugly.'
'Now we base things on facts, just the facts please Pot. What about the organs any use to you?'
'Well very shrivelled but we'll do some drug testing just for you.' knowing the Sheriff was a bit anti anyone under the age of thirty.
'I want a definite age from you both if you please, try the bones.'
'University types?'
'You got it in one Pot some of them can be real nasty, so I'll get my boys and girls to do some searching.'
'But Jack I have not aged them yet.'
'True but Pot I can sometimes read your intuition like a book, you suspect some source of jealous rage, what did Tom find around that hole?'
'Acetylene.'
'Now that is interesting. Ducting tape and acetylene. That and a bit of air, kaboom. Thanks Pot.'
'Wait Jack, no explosion, we had some gas in the lungs and no carbon. If you were insanely jealous would you kill the person whose affection you sought?'
'Suppose I might if I was a mad man or woman, but it sounds like a man to me, don't know many women in the welding trade.'
'There you go typical male chauvinist, bye Jack be in touch tomorrow.'
The police search did indeed find two likely victims in a University fifty miles away. A young couple had gone missing some six months before so a search was made of their apartment, a few photographs and parents addresses helped identify them the car owner matched the boy. Forensics also made the match though dental work on the male. Jack was sent to break the news to the parents, a job he hated. Then the questions began, the girls parents, still in shock, gradually opened up.
'We were told that they had eloped, by the university staff.'
'Who exactly told you that?' but they couldn't remember who it was, it came in a telephone message. But it was a man's voice they were sure.
Jack left them very deflated, they had got the message on the machine and had wiped it. They were pretty sure that it was genuine as their daughter had advised the parents of their intention to marry and the the parents were opposed to any formal engagement until the children had finished their education.
The police then searched the garage and property on the off chance of finding oxyacetylene equipment. But nothing found. Jack had asked about the dog and apparently it had been the boy friends Labrador.
He then went to visit the the boys parents and found them to be just as unhelpful. The car was the boys, given as a birthday present by the parents, brand spanking new. All this he related to Pot on his return.
'This is weird but I agree with Tom, its obviously a nasty piece of male shit all over this crime scene, who on earth would leave a brand new vehicle to rust away in the undergrowth. It shows an intense dislike of both the lad and his car, look Jack I think you need to check out friends and enemies at that Uni and don't forget any of the big wigs they could be involved.'
'There you go Pot using that infernal nose of yours so how about sticking to the facts, of course if you are so fired up about the whole thing how about you join my investigation team and we go up there tomorrow and pull the place apart.'
'Make it the day after tomorrow, Tom and I have not quite finished on the autopsy and we have to complete that poor dog.'
'I reckon its the dog that really affects you both.'
'Yep, so I'll beg and borrow a gun from you and shoot the bastard who did this.'
'There you go again making assumptions just count the number of people needed to load a trailer and drive a tractor fifty miles and know this spot. So we look at the kids contacts and fathom out who is local and has the ability to hire, steal or own a trailer and tractor.'
'And we have a footprint.'
'Yes I guess some kid with well worn sneakers, that can be your job on hands and knees looking at the treads while I interview those kids.'
'Thanks, and what about the gun.'
'No way, just be ready in two days meantime I will organise an interview room and collect those we need to see. I have someone up there already seeking out who we might be interested in. The boys father came up with some of his friends who had visited, that will be a start.'
'You really don't like kids Jack!'
'Can't stand them. Bye for now, and Pot just keep that mind of yours on a scientific level.' With that and a wave Jack departed for his car, but Pot suddenly had an idea.
'Jack' she yelled,'Take me with you next time you see the parents.'
'Tomorrow be ready at ten' and he flicked his glove back at her.
Tomorrow came and Pot checked with Tom on the footprint search and he had come with a name but was awaiting confirmation. Jack turned up on the stroke of ten and Pot got in beside him.
'Why the parents?'
'Got a premonition Jack.'
'Oh Pot you really are a choice specimen, now you'll be consulting the Tarot or is it a glass ball you have in the office.'
'OK laugh but there is one question neither you your officers have asked.'
'OK shoot.'
'Not until we get there. Who's first?'
'The girl.'
They drove on in complete silence until they reached the parents house, Jack introduced Pot as his assistant in the case and after shaking hands Pot got down to business. First she produced a photo of the worn shoe and asked if they recognised it but they both shook their heads, then she asked if their daughter had bought any specific friend or friends home in the past year. They looked at one another and mentioned the missing university lad.
'Oh, the lad bought his dog with him, it was a Labrador, lovely creature'. Pot nodded.
'Any specific people?' She asked but they both shook their heads.
'Thank you, are you ready Jack.' She indicated that they should leave and they drove on to the boys parents with Jack in a chilly mood.
Soon they were in with the boys parents and they got a negative reaction to the photo of the shoe but when it came to friends both the girl and someone called Ant was mentioned. They were great friends were Ant and Mark, as boys they went everywhere together, up hill and down dale so to speak said the boys Father, then something happened, they both went to the same Uni at the same time and suddenly they split seeing one another regularly.
'Mark said to me he saw Ant most days and at term break Ant just wanted to get home to his own parents. Thought nothing of it but Mark bought his girl home soon after and Marge here thought it might be a bit of jealousy.'
'She is or rather was really nice and we were happy for Mark.'
'When did Mark acquire the Labrador, did you buy the dog for him?' Pot asked gently.
'No, it was a bitch, his girl bought him a pup last year.' The mother clasped her hands. 'The officer who interviewed us told us there was a diseased dog in the car.'
'Did you recognise the car the dog was found in?'
'Yes, it was new one I gave to Mark for his getting into Uni so he could get back here whenever he wanted, I told the officer all this.'
'Thank you, were there any other people that Mark may have bought home, new friends for example, I am nearly finished.'
'Thank the lord.' whispered Jack whilst the two parents thought hard.
'Well there were those two last spring, mates he had made at Uni only came the once,
now Marge what were their names?'
'Well,' Marge rose from her seat,' I have a photo of them together, we took before they all left, I'll fetch it as I printed their names on the back.'
'Very efficient my wife puts everything in its place.'
'Thank you, I would like to keep this if I may, I will return it after we copy it.' Pot reached across and she and Jack quickly looked at the print. They shook hands and left.
In the car just as Jack switched on the motor, Pot leaned across.
'You gave a reaction back there, you recognised someone in the photo, and you've just pocketed it so come on Jack tell me.'
'Well first thing, I do submit that ability to drag something out of those poor folk did in fact reveal a piece of information we had not found before.'
'And?'
'When we get back to you office we will take a copy and blow it up on the scanner then we might find out who this is.' Jack patted his pocket with a knowing smile.
'Oh, Pot one thing I already asked both parents for a recent photograph of their children, I'm surprised you did not, bone structures flesh type etc. Am I treading on you toes?'
'No dear Jack, Tom and one of you valiant officers already acquired these self same pictures and yes we have them on file in the office!'
'Good then perhaps we will make a match, yes Pot we work well as a team I'll ask the board to take you on as an officer of the law.'
'Now that's kind, will I get two salaries as well?' And they both laughed but Jack refused to say what really was on his mind.
They arrived back at the office and Pot called Tom in and to bring the kids photo's in, then they all viewed the large scanned photo of Mark and his two friends.
“Do you see that Pot?' Jack pointed behind the group of three. There was another person behind one of the visitors, it was definitely a blond girl, half her face hidden.
'Could it be, at least lets do a scan same size and check the right side cheek. What do you think it means?' Pot raised her eyes from the photo.
'Well for you Pot it means you have to get tested for new glasses.'
'Well I guess you eye sight is better than mine but you use yours for checking out moving number plates all the time.'
'Wrong division Pot!' Tom handed him the resized copy and he cut out the head and placed them over the group photo.
'There Pot, they match, now isn't that interesting. I now have a lead of three people to check out. Can you get me a foolscap of the group and one with this new cut-out, Then a copy of the girls portrait photo, I'll need them tomorrow and before you ask no you are not coming to the University with me, you've done enough damage already, its my fishing day tomorrow and I am not well pleased at going to work!'
'I would have liked to but Tom and I need to check out that shoe and the tractor prints
they may tie in what you may find on the morrow, but thanks for putting up with me you cantankerous old servant of the law.'
'Not so much about the old, so good afternoon you two and thanks for the excitement.' Jack left after the new photo's had been printed and were safely placed in a polythene bag.
On the Monday Tom eventually found the Adidas shoe sole, with their help, it belonged to a group made in the early eighties so he called into Pots office and she had found the tyre, not for a tractor but a heavy goods lorry. They both spoke at once so Pot put up her hand.
'Me first Tom, tyre belongs to a specific lorry large rear wheel single hub and probably an old Ford used in the thirties, now yours.'
'Adidas, eighties, male.'
'Elder male I bet, too old for a young one.'
'Could be a hand me down!'
'Could be, lets wait now for Jack's information, but I'll try him on his phone.' She did and it was switched off so she left a message at the station with a brief summary of the sole and tread details.