“The two men digging apparently witnessed the event, although they said part of the ritual was concealed behind a large black sheet of plastic or something. They spoke about a boat coming in at the end and believed the ringleader departed in the boat.”
“Well, the girl is lucky those men were watching,” Jack said. “And to a lesser extent, the departed ringleader is also lucky as they’d have been up for a charge of murder otherwise. Best we find him or her before they do actually murder someone.”
Jack stood up. “Phil, if you could guide us to the park and to the lodge where the girl is. I’ll go with the forensic team and conduct a primary survey and get Cath to go interview the girl. Once I’ve completed the survey, I’ll go have a chat with the diggers.”
“And Phil, one other thing, is there any way of finding out where that boat went?” Jack asked.
“No drones or police helicopters out here, Jack. I know a few of the locals who do lots of fishing when the moon is full. They might have seen something, depending where they were fishing. Maybe one of them could give us a description of the boat.”
Jack thought of the tide flooding in, bringing large predators to the estuary. Now he had another predator on the loose. And why would anyone bury somebody alive?
14 – Blue moon, blue sky, blue water
THE DAY WARMING UP helped lift Ruby's spirits.
Ruby rested in a white wicker cane seat on the front porch. The doctor had been kind enough to lend her phone to Ruby, so she had called her brother.
She wasn’t sure why she called her brother—maybe it had something to do with ‘blood being thicker than water’. Maybe she needed that bonding. After his initial panic, she was able to convince him she was fine and that the authorities would deal with it. He was okay about that but wanted her off the island quick smart and told her to stop digging into these alternative religions. One of his mates had a boat and he could come get her. Sweet, but she talked him out of it. She would be off the island soon enough and would give him an update.
They agreed not to contact their dad. He was overseas on holidays. They would handle it better when he returned.
Next, she tried Zoe. No answer. She got Shoana, who sounded groggy and hung over.
“Huh? Where are you, Ruby?” Shoana yawned and coughed. “I’m so tired. Why you calling?”
Ruby decided it would be best to discuss the events in person. “I’ll be back soon. Just gone for a walk.”
Blue sky, blue water. A ruby that encircles the earth—that was what the lady on the boat had called her. There was something about that lady. Was she at the circle? Nausea swelled in the back of her throat. She slowed her breathing and swallowed. The lady might have been there but she didn’t remember much about the event, let alone who was there. They were all robed and doing their own thing. An image of a tall hooded person kept jumping into her head, as if haunting her.
Ruby had a sudden urge to be with her friends. To share her misdemeanour—she did nothing wrong, she wanted reassurance—and wanted to make sure they were both okay. As on cue, a police vehicle came into view and parked outside wherever she was.
The occupants got out of the vehicle. There was a tall man in an inky blue uniform, and a woman in casual dress. She appeared tiny next to the policeman. The woman gave Ruby a wave as they walked up the stairs to the porch.
“Ruby?” asked the woman.
Ruby nodded and was about to stand when the police officer put up his hands.
“No need to stand, Ruby.” The police officer looked around the porch. “Let me grab those chairs over there.”
The woman put out her hand to Ruby. “I’m Detective Catherine York, and this strapping man with me is a member of the local island constabulary.”
Her manner comforted Ruby.
The man carried two plastic chairs over. “Hi, Ruby. I’m Sergeant Phil Jones.”
“Hello, nice to meet you both.” Why did the police make her nervous? The uniform, the guns? But they were here to help.
“You doing okay?” Catherine asked.
Ruby choked up. Catherine placed her hand on Ruby’s leg.
“I’m doing okay.” She was sure her voice wasn’t convincing.
“You up for some questions?” Catherine asked.
There was a squeak as the front door opened. “Hello, Phil,” the doctor said, in her mild Scottish accent.
The visitors turned towards the good doctor, which gave Ruby a chance to compose herself.
“Hi, Doc. Sorry. Should’ve let you know we were here,” Phil said. “This is Detective York.”
Catherine stood up, walked over, and shook hands with the doctor.
The doctor smiled at Catherine and turned to Ruby. “You up to this, Ruby?”
“I’m good, Doctor. You’ve looked after me well. I’m still a bit queasy and hung over. I’m not sure how much help I will be to our friends here, because I don’t remember much about what happened—just waking up in that box.” She let out a brief cough.
The doctor kept her attention on Ruby but speaking to the officers said, “I’d say she was drugged, probably one of those date rape drugs. I told Ruby that they even referred to the drug as ‘the forget pill’. So what she is experiencing is normal, if that is an appropriate word to use.”
The doctor walked over to Ruby and placed her hand on her shoulder.
“And she’s one tough lass.”
Ruby tried to smile at the doctor’s encouraging words, but she didn’t feel like a tough lass. She wanted to get off this island, get back home, and get some sleep. She wanted to escape to her childhood fantasy world, Narnia.
“I’ve taken a blood sample, so I can give that to your forensic team,” the doctor said. “I’m sure you’ll find it was one of the common date rape drugs, and I’ve assured Ruby it will be out her system sooner rather than later. I’d say most of those down at the loch were drugged. It enhances the experience. Maybe this one got an extra dose.”
The interview wasn’t going to take long, as the doctor told the police almost everything. Maybe she did that on purpose.
