Body in the Gorge (Cockatoo Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) Read online

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE Prologue

  CHAPTER TWO Platypus pool

  CHAPTER THREE The Moss Garden

  CHAPTER FOUR The body

  CHAPTER FIVE Ranger Troy inspects body

  CHAPTER SIX The Day After

  CHAPTER SEVEN Talking to Sgt Grant & Const Mathews

  CHAPTER EIGHT Into town

  CHAPTER NINE Wild Animals

  CHAPTER TEN Dawn comes early

  CHAPTER ELEVEN Meeting Cracker

  CHAPTER TWELVE Off to Emma's place

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN The Barbecue

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN A day to recover

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN Missing

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN The clue

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN The hunt

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN The Capture

  CHAPTER NINETEEN Authors Note

  CHAPTER ONE

  Prologue

  It’s so dark. Where am I? I can’t feel my hands or legs any more. I must be in a shed, the wall is so rough and the floor is just dirt. The birds are starting to call outside, the kookaburras are mocking me. Will he be back again soon? I tremble at the thought.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Platypus pool

  I woke up slowly, obviously the dawn chorus was in full volume the magpies call a melodic choir. I could feel a smile breaking out on my face this was a lovely way to wake instead of the strident alarm or the increasing rumble and roar of the early morning traffic back in the city. I opened one eye it is not quite dawn yet, I considered the joy of snuggling into the warm bed a bit longer or getting up to watch the platypus catch their breakfast.

  Action won, we were only going to be here in Carnarvon Gorge a few days and I wanted to make the bone rattling journey into here worthwhile. At least the caravan was still in one piece, only a towel rail and a few hooks were on the floor along with the usual cushions when we opened the door after we arrived at the Caravan Park.

  I dressed quickly and pulled on a jacket it was still chilly, although that wouldn’t last long, as soon as the Queensland sun rose above the horizon it would warm up quickly. As I wandered down to the creek I passed a couple of kangaroos and a joey grazing on the tender green grass of the park these animals are very used to tourists staring at them and taking photos, but I kept going as it was still a bit dark for a good picture. My camera was in my pocket ready to take a snapshot of the platypus but it is very hard to get a good photo of them swimming in the water. Any photos I can get will help my memory for when I start a painting or sculpture which are my occupation and my passion. My sister Becca will get some good photos if the platypus show themselves when she makes it down here, she has a better camera with telephoto lens. Today Becca is still snoring away and needs her sleep as she did most of the driving from Brisbane.

  An elderly couple look up as I arrive at the platypus pool. They look very comfortable in their deck chairs complete with thermos and mugs of steaming tea.

  “Any sighting yet?” I whisper

  “Not yet,” the gentleman replies.

  “We saw seven yesterday at this time,” he smiled at me, then went back to watching the water.

  I settled down on the log bench provided and listened to the bird symphony whilst watching the ripples in the water. The movement was mesmerizing and I was nearly nodding off when there was a rapid movement from the far bank of the creek and a sleek dark shape glided through the water then disappeared and surfaced again further down. I tip-toed quietly forward, close to the edge and pulled my camera out of my pocket and took a few photos. The small audience was completely fascinated by the frolic of these wild creatures as they dart about after their fishy breakfast.

  By the time the sun painted the cliffs of the towering Gorge gold the platypus show was over and I headed back to our caravan for my breakfast.

  As the kettle came to a boil, the pile of bed clothes moved and a tousled red head appears.

  “Did you see any?” Becca mumbles

  “Yes I saw quite a few an old couple said there were seven again today but I don’t know how they can count them, the platypus are so quick and dive out of sight so often, but they are fascinating.”

  Becca yawns, “Well I’ll try and get there at dusk.”

  The cereal and fruit was already on the table I placed the scrabbled eggs and toast down next to them and went back for the cups of tea and coffee. Becca sat up and reached over to the drawer for fresh clothes, every thing is close on our little caravan.

  After breakfast we piled into the car and headed up to the Visitors Centre car park. We don our sun hats and back packs and head for the track with map in hand.

  Becca looks at me with raised eyebrows, “are you ready for this Chloe?”

  I frowned, “Stop fussing I’m ready, I’ve got my hiking stick, plenty of water and sandwiches and my puffer is in the bag if I need it, anyway I’ll get plenty of rest when you stop to take photos.” I don’t know when my younger sister started taking care of me instead of the other way round I wasn’t an invalid just not as fit as she was.

  I looked down at my map, “Lets head for the Moss Garden first I’m dying to see that.”

  “Yes I know, you made that clear when you talked me into this trip.” Said Becca.

  Becca looked at me sternly then grinned, “I am glad you persuaded me, I was sick of moping around day to day in my empty house blaming Eric for all the things that have gone wrong it’s time I took some positive action I also like having some time away from the newspaper job too!”

  With this Becca strode off and was soon well ahead of me up the track. I looked at her red ponytail swaying above her slim tanned figure and sighed I couldn’t understand how any man could leave her after 25 years marriage and break her heart. I wasn’t the only one needing some care and attention. Lucky we had each other. I think this was the right time for both of us to get away I needed more inspiration for my paintings and sculpture and Becca would find inspiration for her art photography here in this beautiful wilderness.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The Moss Garden

  The walking track is easy to follow but full of stones and tree roots and needs care. It takes us up and down hills and through Carnarvon creek many times. We pause on the stepping stones for photos of the creek. We turn at the side track pointing the way to the Moss Garden and finally climb up the rocky track into the shady alcove under the overhanging cliff of the The Moss Garden where the water oozes out of the rock face and feeds the moss and ferns on the walls. The Moss hangs from the walls like a beautiful green lace curtain.

  “Its so much cooler in here.” Becca said from behind her camera as she moved over to the waterfall the camera shutter continually going. I sank down onto the seats provided and gazed in wonder at the hanging garden of moss and ferns and beautiful coloured sculptured rock.

  “I would love to recreate this in miniature at home,” I exclaimed in admiration

  “Well if there is a way for you to imitate this I’m sure you’ll find it. I love my terrarium and miniature garden you have made for me.” Becca replied as she came and joined me on the seat and pulled out some snacks and water from her backpack, her camera temporarily abandoned for sustenance. We munched away listening to the waterfall and the gurgling water over the rocks as it tumbled it’s way down the creek.

  Becca grabbed her camera again and stood up to take some more photos before we left. I packed up the snack things and zipped up the backpacks, when I looked up Becca had her back to the moss wall and I saw a sinuous movement behind her.

  “Step forward quickly,” I whispered urgently

  Becca who has alw
ays had a mind of her own swung round with the camera still clicking and startled a jewel like baby snake which was moving down the wall with all its attention on a little lizard. Both the lizard and the snake swung around in opposite directions and disappeared with a flash of green and yellow.

  “Wow there’s a snake in the garden of Eden,” quipped Becca. “Well Chloe after that bit of excitement are you okay to continue on to the amphitheatre its not far from here?”

  “Yeah sure, my hip’s not too bad and we can take it slowly on the steep bits, let’s go.” I swung my back pack on and turned to head out. Just then a younger couple turned up.

  “Phew that last bit was hard on my back.” The small woman said as she turned to me with her hands on her hips. probably sympathizing with my red face.

  “I have a bad back so we’re just seeing how I go.” She looked around. “This is lovely, well worth the effort and cooler!”

  Another couple arrived and the men began talking about their work. Becca looked at me, we gathered our things and moved off.

  Back at the main track where three benches were placed for the weary, we found them full with couples who were enjoying a rest and having a picnic lunch before tackling the next track. Becca and I nodded in greeting, but we didn’t stop, we turned up the path and headed for our next destination. After several more creek crossings we came to the junction and turned onto the Amphitheater track which led us to a cliff with a split in it and a steel ladder and steps leading up to the opening where we could enter through the crack into the natural arena. I looked up at the steps which went straight up.

  “How on earth did they get up there before ladders?” Becca gazed up at the narrow opening high above us.

  “Well at least we don’t have to climb the rock face itself, but you have to admit it is beautifully sculptured in many colours, mother nature has done wonders with the sandstone,” the artist in me said in admiration.

  We pulled ourselves up the ladders to the entrance between the towering cliffs and walked through the cool hallway of stone into the Ampitheatre which was completely surrounded by the rock walls and only where the water entered and exited were there openings. Ferns and mosses were growing in the centre surrounding a pool of water. Some birds were squabbling and creating quite a racket which echoed even louder around the chamber.

  A Ranger was working on the barrier fence to fix a loose wire. I noticed Becca was including him in her photos I thought that was unusual, as in a beautiful natural setting like this she usually went out of her way to exclude all people. I looked closer, the park ranger was a good looking man in his khaki shorts, he was tanned and did seem to blend in with his surroundings. His black and grey peppered hair adding dignity to this athletic man.

  I moved over closer to the Ranger, “What type of birds are these gregarious chaps making all the noise?” I pointed to two little birds that were chasing each other in and out of the tree ferns.

  The Ranger looked over at the birds, “Those are Fairy Martins, they nest in the holes in the sandstone walls.” He pointed to some small holes in the far cliff on the other side of the space. “They tend to move elsewhere when the wet season starts, this is not a place to be caught in bad storms it would act like a funnel and the water would churn around these walls like in a washing machine!” Becca and I looked around at the curved walls and then we all looked up at the sky.

  “Lucky the sky is blue today” Becca grinned

  “Is that a digital camera? The Ranger asked looking closely

  “Yes I only use digital now, I used to only have SLR cameras but digital is so convenient and immediate”

  I left them to discuss the ins and outs of photography and moved on to explore this space further I could see a creek ran right through this place.

  After awhile we left to continue on.

  “The Ranger’s name is Troy.” said Becca.

  They certainly got to know each other quickly! We next headed for Wards Canyon where the creek runs over the red lichen covered rock, and we admired the giant fronds of the King Fern. Was it once a wetter climate and these beautiful ferns and moist places wide spread?

  “Well I think we’d better head back to the caravan park we have a long way to go. When you’ve finished taking photos?” I suggested.

  “You get going I’ll catch up.” she replied from behind a long lens.

  Becca caught up with me at the first seat I found. We gazed around us and Becca took a quick snap of a red backed wren as it flitted from branch to rock to tree. After five minutes we started walking again and soon I had left Becca behind as she stopped to capture more fine views. I trudged on along the path one eye on the rocky track and one eye on the beautiful scenery to keep my mind off my aching legs and hip and why does it feel like even my groin is aching! Ouch!

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The body

  A gust of wind like a Willy-Willy suddenly scooped up my hat, away it flew up the slope where it disappeared behind a large outcrop of rock. This terrain definitely looked like a giant has had a tantrum and tossed huge boulders everywhere. I looked around, no-one in sight I didn’t want to be caught off the footpath in the National Park but that was my favourite hat and I didn’t want to loose it.

  I scrambled up the hillside and made my way through the tufts of long grass and around the rocks, past the Cycad palm to see my hat cheekily perched on a round boulder. I retrieved it and turned to make my way back down the hill when something shiny caught my eye beneath the boulder outcrop. I moved closer then screamed! I was staring at a skull which seemed to be staring back at me.

  “Chloe, Chloe where are you? Are you alright?” Becca came running down the track.

  “I’m up here,” I moved around the rocks and waved my arms madly at her. “I’ve found a skeleton up here some poor soul has died here.”

  “What! are you sure it’s human?”

  “Well come see for yourself.”

  Becca climbed up and took a close look at the skeleton which was covered with loose dirt, fallen leaves and bark like a quilt which had been tucked in around the body to give it comfort, then she raised the camera in her hand and automatically took some photos. Well its second nature for her she is after all a newspaper photographer as well as an art photographer. We both carefully backed out of there and made our way back down the hill to the walking path.

  Becca took my hand we were both a bit shaky. “OK there’s no phone reception here I’ll go and find the Ranger, you wait on the path so we know where the body is. Don’t tell anyone what you’ve found, it’s obviously been there a long time. Just look tired and in need of a rest.”

  “Well that won’t be hard! I am exhausted.” I replied as Becca hurried off down the track towards the Information Centre. I watched Becca as she disappeared around the bend her easy stride taking her quickly away. I wished I was as fit as my sister she was 10 years younger and didn’t have my hip problems. I made myself comfortable on a handy log by the side of the path this would take a long while. I thought about the day up until now.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Ranger Troy inspects body

  I shifted uncomfortably on my log seat, it had been about an hour since I had found the body when I went uphill chasing my hat, and Becca had left to find a Park Ranger. I looked up at the boulders which from this angle appropriately looked like grave stones for the skeletal body resting behind them. I wondered if the body had been buried originally, the rain here can be extremely heavy in the wet season, any loose soil would be washed down hill. My musings were interrupted by the sound of voices.

  “You’ll have to show me your photos sometime,” a deep male voice said.

  “I’ll send you an invitation to our next exhibition, maybe you’ll be in Brisbane then.” That was definitely my sister, she sounded happy. It has been a long time since her marriage broke up, so maybe the handsome ranger could break the drought I thought as the two of them rounded the bend and stopped in front of me.

  “Hi Sis he
re we are.” Becca stated the obvious.

  I looked with interest at the rugged tanned face which was etched with laughter lines. He held out his hand.

  “Hello my name is Troy and you must be Chloe.” Troy gripped my hand firmly “You’d better show me your bones and I’ll decide if its the police or the archaeologist we need.”

  I rose to my feet and turned and pointed up the hill. “Its just behind that rock outcrop, between the rocks and the Cycad.”

  Becca and I stood there and admired the rear view of a strong muscular man climbing above us. He’d obviously kept fit over the years.

  After quite a while we heard Troy’s voice float down the hill. “Looks like we need the police.”

  He came carefully back down the slope retracing his steps. Once on the path he stepped away and pulled out his two-way radio and spoke to his office. He turned to us, but he looked at Becca “You two should head back to the Caravan Park. The police will have to come from Rollingtown or they may wait for the Homicide detectives from the city.

  “Homicide!” I squeaked

  “Well at least a suspicious death, isn’t that what they say.” Troy smiled. “Don’t worry it obviously happened a long time ago, but there is still some evidence of clothes and jewellery so I’m pretty sure its not a native Australian of ancient times.”

  Becca smiled back “Well could I get some photos?” I could see Troy really wanted to give in to her.

  In the end he swallowed and said, “No sorry I’ve been ordered to keep people away from the body so I have to stay here.” He looked at me, “Chloe you’ll have to give the Police a statement, it could be late tomorrow before they come looking for you.”

  I turned to go, “That’s okay, not sure I’ll be doing much moving tomorrow, I’ll be too sore.” I rubbed my hip.

  Off we plodded and by the time we made it back to the campground the sun was low in the sky. Becca just plopped into the deck chair like a rag doll.

  “The only thing I’m moving for is a glass of wine and nibbles, the platypus can wait until tomorrow,” she sighed.