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Reef
“Jesus, who put that prick in charge?” Bhodi grumbles, walking into the kitchen where I’m going over photos of the latest victim. The others don’t know about this one yet, but the prof is on his way over to debrief. This one’s different. The victim survived. But her injuries are still nasty.
Knowing the prof he’s going to want to speak to the victim as soon as possible. She might be able to identify her attackers, which would be our first real lead in weeks. We’ve been back at college almost two months now and this could be the breakthrough we need.
“What’s wrong with you now, grumpy?” Cove teases, coming in off the beach with wet hair and dripping boardies.
“The prof’s on his way over for some emergency meeting or other,” Bhodi tells him. Cove pulls a face.
“Really? On a weekend? Wait…there wasn’t another murder was there?”
They both turn to me expectantly, but I’m saved from having to answer by the prof’s arrival.
“No. But there was an attempted murder. We need to get over to the hospital on the mainland straight away to interview the victim. She’s stable but her injuries are serious.”
“Fuck. What happened?”
“Don’t know much yet, but early reports are that they just stopped.”
“Did something spook them? Were they interrupted?”
“I don’t think so. It happened out at one of the more remote beaches. It was the victim who left the scene of the crime. Have you got photos, Reef?” the prof asks, turning to me.
I pass my phone over and Cove pales.
“Fuck. It’s somehow worse when they’re still alive, isn’t it?”
I know what he means. We’ve become desensitised to the Shikari’s unique way of killing. It’s a hazard of the job. But I don’t think we’ve ever come across a survivor before. Once the Shikari decide to attack, they’re committed to seeing it through to the end.
This is unheard of.
“Which beach was it?” Cove asks cagily.
“Iron-Bound Cove, why?”
“Christ. I was there last night.” We all stare at Cove.
“You were? Why?” the prof asks sharply. Cove pauses before replying.
“I went for a surf.” I can tell he’s not lying, but he’s not telling the whole truth either.
“Did you see anything? Anything unusual?”
“There was a group of lads on the beach. They had a bonfire. I think there was a girl with them but—”
“And you didn’t think to check it out?!” the prof explodes. “With everything that’s happened you didn’t consider it strange that a girl was out in a remote location alone with several guys?”
“They seemed to be having fun. There was screaming, sure, but it seemed to be all in fun. Oh, and there was a meteor shower too.” I can see the uncertainty on Cove’s face. And the guilt. He’s crushed. “You’re right. I should have checked. I’m sorry.”
“Tell that to the girl in the hospital that’s half carved up,” the prof snaps. Cove blanches but keeps his mouth closed. He looks sick, and I don’t blame him.
“There wasn’t a meteor shower forecast for last night, was there?” I ask.
“No, you’re right, Reef. I don’t think there was. Can you double check?” the prof asks. I nod and turn to my laptop. A few minutes later I have my answer.
“No. It definitely wasn’t forecast and it appears to be incredibly localised. No reports from anywhere else on the island.”
“Odd. Who were you with, Cove, that had you so distracted? Was it her?”
