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Even in the off-season, the Marlborough Sounds on the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island was a delightful place to visit. The inter-island ferries travelled the three-hour journey across Cook Strait from Wellington every few hours and the terminus at Picton catered for the passengers and freight including railway wagons that moved between the islands. At this time of the year, most travellers just drove through town to head three hundred and forty kilometres south to Christchurch or close to seven hundred kilometres to Dunedin in Otago.
For local farmers, fishermen and batch owners, local boats including water taxies were used to access the homes in the sounds. For many even on the mainland, there was no road access and the small boats provided access to town. One such cottage hugged the shore of one of the numerous bays off Queen Charlotte Sound, the main waterway that the ferries used.
There was a long jetty with a small boat tied up, a zigzag path up to a modern summer cottage built on a small section before a steep hillside covered in bush. It was a peaceful scene with a small blue and white cabin cruiser chugging along off shore.
However, in the cabin the atmosphere was anything but peaceful!
"Don't blame me," Don Trow grumbled at his bearded son as he stood behind the wheel in the helm. "It was you who set the whole thing up, you're the one who ran up the debts with those killer interest rates."
"Oh don't try to blame me for your betting losses, Dad," Landon Trow shouted. "I just set it all up for you. You're the one who found that casino and couldn't stop after you made a few thousand bucks. Oh no, it was just more shot to double your money again and again until there was that twenty thousand you owed. You came to me, remember and asked how to pay it off."
Don scowled. "Would have worked, too if that stupid bitch didn't arrive with an electronic whizz of a husband who bypassed your oh-so-clever firewalls and access codes to the defunct PTA account. Now you say, he turned off the links back to my place and unknown to me, your remote access to my computer at home." His face contorted in anger. "My God, I was just about killed and now you tell me you have demands for thirty thousand dollars and twenty days to pay it. We've already paid back the twenty grand plus interest. Why so much?"
"Exorbitant interest Dad," Landon flushed. "I used the site a few times, too."
"A few!" Don thundered. "What for?" He glowered. "Hardcore pornographic downloads at a guess."
Landon shrugged. "Chip off the old block, aren't I?"
"So you want me to pay off your debt and as well, I have to get a similar amount paid back into the PTA account? That'll be over sixty thousand. I haven't that sort of money."
"This property is worth close to a million. Sell it, pay off both our debts and you'll still have enough left over to buy a townhouse in the North Island where you've told me you wanted to retire."
"Not for another ten years."
"So do it now and move back to Tuckett for a couple of years. Let that Karla Spicer have her way. She'll be out of your hair in six months. If everything is paid back, I doubt if any charges will be laid against you."
Don heaved. "I'll need to discuss it with your mother first."
Landon shrugged. "She'll go along. Always has, especially when the alternative is monthly visits when you're in jail for theft as a servant."
"I guess." Don stared out across the bay. He knew that Landon only visited when he wanted something but what he said could be a way out. Perhaps he could even shift up here permanently. There were some small rural high schools in this part of the country and he knew of one where the principal had just retired. As long as the debts problem didn't get out he knew he'd have quite a good chance of winning it. Without having primary aged children it would be easier to run and also there would be a schoolhouse to live in. He grimaced. Karla had more or less told him that if he repaid the money she wouldn't consider pressing charges. She was trustworthy, he'd give her that much and though he'd never admit it to Landon, if it wasn't for her he'd probably have been killed by that gangster.
These extra debts were a problem, he was sure that unless something was done he would be attacked again. Not even this remote spot would be safe.
"It'll take a couple of months to sell, probably longer. I suppose I could re-mortgage it in the short term." He grimaced and turned to his son. "This is the last time, Langdon. We clear all our debts, dismantle all that electronic stuff and you stay away from porno sites."
"And your casinos, Dad." Langdon smiled for the first time.
"That's what your mother said," Don muttered.
*
DON HEARD THE ROAR of a high-powered boat before he saw it. A speedboat curved in from the outer sound with its hull out of the water and white wake thundering out the back. He cursed and watched as it completed a turn around the headland and bounced across its own wake before turning again. Oh hell, it was heading directly towards them! He could see it bouncing on the surface and, if anything, it had increased speed.
These idiots in high-powered speedboats were a menace. When it turned, he'd get it's name or registration number painted on the bow and report it to the harbourmaster.
"Turn to starboard, Dad," Langdon screamed. "He's leaving his turn too late!"
Don swung the wheel and pushed the throttle forward. His boat had a powerful motor and it responded at once. They turned and accelerated. For a moment he lost sight of the incoming powerboat but as they bounced over their own wake he saw it had also turned. But it hadn't turned away as expected but was heading back towards them!
He also noticed something that registered in his mind. With the craft heading straight towards them he could see through the front windscreen. There was nobody in the cabin! He could even see the top of the empty pilot seat as the boat bounced through the inter-lapping wakes of both vessels and the engine roar became a scream.
His attempt to swing back the other way was unsuccessful for there was no time or space to manoeuvre. The incoming speedboat was high in the water and still accelerating when it hit!
The white hull cutting through the side windows, the sound of an explosion, the searing heat followed by water rushing in, all crowded his senses before he realised that this time his luck had run out. It was too late, now... just too late!
*
AS RYAN DROVE HIS LITTLE bus towards the plantation he frowned for ahead were two six wheeled army vehicles parked across the road and a soldier held his hand up in a request for him to stop. He pulled off and heard Hamish gasp for the camouflaged vehicles had SAF painted across the front.
"Singapore Armed Forces," Hamish muttered. "They come here to do winter exercises and bring their own equipment. Do live shoots too, I heard."
"But why are they here?" Coira gasped.
Ryan opened his window to the lieutenant who had stepped up.
"Lieutenant Dray Lim of the Singaporean Armed Forces 42nd Battalion, Sir. We have been asked by the New Zealand Police to help in a local emergency, as our vehicles were the closest to Tuckett."
"What's happened, Lieutenant?" Ryan asked. Even though there was nothing unusual when they'd left school a few moments earlier, he was worried.
"It is just a precautionary situation, Sir. I was asked to escort your bus through the plantation ahead. If you will follow the vehicle ahead of you."
"Of course," Ryan replied and gave the children on the bus an encouraging grin. "Just an army exercise," he said.
"They're armed to the teeth with automatic rifles," Hamish said as they drove off behind the army personnel carrier.
Coira glowed out the window. "Like to see any terrorists try to stop us now. There's even a soldier manning a gun in the tank's roof."
"It's not a tank," Hamish corrected.
"Well whatever. I wouldn't want to have an argument with them."
"No," Ryan replied as he drove forward and noticed that the second army vehicle had driven in immediately behind them. Something had happened but he had no idea what it was.
*
EAST OF TUCKETT ON Highway 85, a line of traffic leading into town was at a standstill. Two police cars and two more SAF personnel carriers were parked across the road while a police helicopter landed on the road verge. Five police officers in full anti-riot gear leaped out, along with two police dogs and another man in civilian clothes with a golden Labrador Retriever that he let off a lead.
Adrian Flavell was in the third car in line and had just stepped out of his car when the Labrador came up to his car, sniffed right around it and moved onto the next car.
"What's the problem?" he asked the civilian guy who was walking purposely along the road verge behind his dog.
"Please just stay by your vehicle, Sir. You will be allowed to proceed shortly."
"I am Adrian Flavell from the Tuckett Area School Board of Trustees. If there is anything that will affect the school I wish to know about it."
"Speak to the local police sergeant, please Sir. He will give you details. If you will excuse me..."
He turned and continued after his dog that was now five cars back. Adrian stood and watched as the dog stopped by the sixth, a SUV vehicle and froze like a statue with its tail straight out and one front paw raised. Adrian walked closer but was brushed aside as two policemen, one with a police dog, ran towards the car. As well two Singaporean soldiers moved forward, each holding an automatic rifle in a firing position.
Two men passengers in suits appeared to be arguing with the police sergeant.
"Both of you will keep you hands in sight and leave your vehicle," the sergeant said. "The army personnel here are armed and under direction to fire if you attempt to do anything except obey my commands."
"This is outrageous," the car driver retorted in precise but accented English. "New Zealand is regarded as safe for tourists. I shall complain..." He stopped talking when the police Alsatian bared its teeth and growled.
"Move out and step across to the grass verge," the dog handler ordered in a steel voice. "Make one false move and my dog will attack."
The two were made to lie on the grass with their hands behind their heads while four soldiers and policemen opened all the car doors. After a short command from his master, the Labrador jumped in the rear of the SUV and pawed beneath the bags of luggage. The backpacks were removed but the dog was not interested in any of it. Instead it stood on the ground with its front paws on the back bumper and head down gazing at the bumper itself.
"Something under it, Sherrie?"
The dog looked up and gave its tail a wag. "Good Girl," the civilian guy said and turned, "Sergeant, I think we have something."
"What's there?" the sergeant asked the car driver.
"Probably just cow dung. We drove through some a while ago.
"You will both stand up very carefully," the sergeant replied. "Don't even look as if you're going to make a false move." He turned to his constable. "Search them both thoroughly Constable Price."
The constable was an expert and found both men had small handguns concealed in inside pockets. 'Tourists are you?" the sergeant said. "Illegally brought in the country, no doubt. Now tell me, is the explosive material hidden in your SUV triggered to explode."
"It is harmless," the second man said. "We are not stupid enough to drive along with live explosive aboard."
The SAF officer stepped forward. "One of my men is an explosive expert Sergeant. Would you like him to examine any explosive you may find?"
"If you would..."
It was all over in a few moments. An elongated plastic bag like a pack of dog food was sealed behind the rear bumper and other equipment found in one of the backpacks.
"Plastic explosive, enough to blow up a house, Sergeant," the soldier said. "If ignited here there wouldn't be much left except a hole in the road." He nodded at the other gear. "Remote and timing devices. They could arm it either way. Placed under a school bus for example, it could kill everyone aboard."
Adrian turned to the two men now sitting cross-legged on the grass. "And you were heading for Tuckett Area School weren't you?" he spat.
The car driver just stared at him and shrugged. "I am a tourist who had no idea that my vehicle was used to hide illicit goods. "
"And your handguns were to protect you from mosquitoes at night?" Adrian retorted.
"Why not?" The man smirked.
Adrain glanced back to where the police sergeant signalled him. "You may continue your car journey now, Sir," he said. "If your school is in anyway involved in this situation you shall advised in due course. Meanwhile, please leave everything to us."
Adrian nodded and walked back to his car. Something big had happened. He was certain of that.
*
KARLA WAS IN HER OFFICE when the phone rang.
"What is it Roxanne?" she asked.
"A call from Dunedin police on Line 2, Karla. Will speak to nobody except you?"
"Right. Thank you," Karla clicked the two button. "Good afternoon, Karla Spicer speaking."
"This is Superintendent Don Pierce, Southern District Police Commander speaking. Are you on a secure line?"
Karla's heart leaped. "It is Superintendent. How can I help you?"
"There is no reason for immediate alarm but we believe a synchronised attack may be made against Tuckett Area School and possibly yourself or family. Your husband's bus is safe and..."
"Why shouldn't it be?" Karla interjected.
"My police and the armed forces from Singapore who have been doing manoeuvres in Central Otago and have sealed off all roads on Highway 84 into Tuckett and also the country roads going into your village. All school buses have at this moment been provided with an escort so the pupils can be delivered safely home. Pupils living in or near Tuckett will be safe."
"Another abduction Superintendent Pierce?"
"Possibly but it could be even more serious."
"How?"
"Don Trow and his son Landon have been killed when two boats exploded near his home in Marlborough Sounds. The pair were aboard one."
"Oh my God!" Karla gasped and listened as the superintendent gave her details of what had happened.
"Though there is no proof, we are taking the precautionary procedures I spoke of around Tuckett. Please advise your staff and parents to be vigilant and report anything unusual, no matter how unimportant it seems to this number." He gave her a 0800 number that she wrote down.
"It is almost four and most of the children are home by now. Most of my staff have also left."
"I realise that. There are civil defence announcements being made over all the Dunedin radio stations and on television but details about Don Trow have not been released yet. You can tell your family and staff but in the meanwhile it is confidential. I have already spoken to your BOT chairperson, Mrs Bray."
"Is there anything else you wish me to do, Superintendent?"
"I would advise you to cancel any meetings you had planned for this evening. The radio messages will ask all town and country residents to remain at home this evening. The military vehicles that you will see in town belong to the Singapore Armed Forces who are helping us. You may also see or hear RNZAF helicopters fly over. They have a distinct engine noise that is louder than civilian helicopters. A local ban has been placed on civilian helicopters flying over your town. Call the 0800 number I gave you, if you see any civilian helicopters flying over Tuckett."
"I will. Thank you, Superintendent Pierce."
No sooner had she clicked off when Roxanne told her Sonya was on Line 4.
"Hello Karla, did you hear the tragic news..." Sonya said and listened to Karla's account of the news before she spoke again. "There's more! Adrain was coming back into town and at a roadblock they found a SUV with explosives aboard. Arrested two foreigners."
"What?" gasped Karla and listened with her ear glued to the phone.
She found Brandi with Roxanne waiting in the main office and told them everything she knew.
"So it was Don who was killed?" Brandi whispered.
Karla glanced at her. "Why do you say that?"
"It's been on the four o'clock radio news bulletin. Never mentioned his name but said a school principal from Otago who was on leave and his adult son were killed in a boat explosion."
Karla grimaced. So the news wasn't blacked out! She wondered if the situation at this end would be on the television networks, too.
*
THAT EVENING THERE was a full coverage with videos of the burning boats taken from the air but only a brief announcement about the roadblocks around Tuckett. Nothing was mentioned about the explosives being found or the arrests but by now Karla had been called by Adrian and given a full account of what he had witnessed.
"What happened next?" Karla asked him.
"The pair were arrested and placed in one of those RNZAF helicopters. I have no idea where they were taken."
"And the explosive?"
"Put in a police car and along with the rental car, brought into town. I guess they'll want it for finger printing and so forth .The local police are saying nothing but I don't think they know any more than we do. Andy, that's our local sergeant hinted that it was all being run from Dunedin or even Wellington."
*
A WEEK LATER, KARLA sat near the rear of the chapel for the combined funeral for Don and his son. Out of respect, the school had been closed for the day but Little Hands had remained open so Alexis was cared for. Most of the district was there but surprisingly few young people attended. This could endorse Roxanne's comment that Landon was a bit of a loaner. Eulogies were, as expected positive with friends, relatives and town folk ringing Don's praises about what he had done for the school and commenting on Landon's computer strengths with just a hint that he had a dubious past. A little unusual in her eyes, was the lack of real feeling shown. His widow said little except to thank everyone for attending, an older son and brother spoke on behalf of the family and school and townspeople all added words.
It was all over in an hour with the bodies being driven off for a private interment at the local cemetery while the mourners were invited to have refreshments at the chapel cafeteria. Though she tried to keep in a remote corner as she sipped her coffee with Ryan, dozens of people came up to her to just say hello and to thank her for her efforts. Several parents that she had hardly knew commented on her efforts at the school and several asked if she would consider applying for the permanent principal's position.
With Don Trow dead there would now be two senior vacancies at Tuckett Area School and possibly another one if Brandi won the principal's position. In her opinion, Brandi was doing well as acting principal and should win it but of course that was up to the Board of Trustees Selection Committee to decide. She had already agreed to being on the committee to select a DP for the senior school and the chances were that she would be asked to help appoint a new principal too.
"I wouldn't." Ryan said as they left the funeral parlour.
"Wouldn't what?"
"Even consider the permanent principal's position here. I know you have been asked by many of the parents but in the long term it would be a backward step. Its salary scale is below that at Tui Park and all your extra bonuses would be forfeited."
Karla grinned at him. "You got it wrong this time, Ryan. I was actually thinking how well Brandi has taken on the principal's position here. I think she is perfect for the permanent job here."
*