RISING TIGER | YOUNG WRITERS’ MYSTERY STORIES

Stories at the ARTBOX…

Up to Year 2

THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING WAND

DAISY WALTER

Huonville, Huon Valley

2022

UP TO YEAR 2 CATEGORY

AGATHA CHRISTIE IN TASMANIA

Once there was a fairy ball in Hobart and all the fairies came. Suddenly Twinkle realised she’d lost her wand. The fairies looked, but couldn’t find it. Twinkle’s friend Elfie spotted a map under a mushroom, with little dirty fingerprints all over it. She showed Twinkle the map. It had a wiggly path to a building with a funny face drawn on it. They decided to follow the path.

The forest was pretty, with ferns, bandicoots and lots of little fairy homes. They saw a big building up ahead and felt excited. They realised the face on the map was on top of the building, so they flew up, but couldn’t find anything. Then Elfie said, ‘it might be inside the roof!’ So she magicked them inside, and there was Twinkle’s wand!

Just then, the robber appeared, and the fairies magicked a net over him. His goblin fingers matched the prints on the map!

‘Are you a good or bad goblin?’ asked Twinkle. ‘Good,’ said the goblin.

‘Why did you steal my wand then?’ said Twinkle.

‘I needed magic to stop the bad robbers trying to steal all the fairies wands. I forgot which house I borrowed the wand from so I hid it. I came to get it to figure out whose it was.’

So Twinkle and Elfie let him go and thanked him for stopping the robbers. Then Twinkle and Elfie went back to the fairy ball and let their new goblin friend come with them.

AUDREY THE BUSHRANGER 

ELEANOR MONK

Franklin, Huon Valley

2019 WINNER

UP TO YEAR 2 CATEGORY

FEMALE BUSHRANGERS

In a tiny, little, home in the middle of the woods on a very windy and freezing cold day there was a 20 year old girl called Audrey. She had fiery red hair, freckles, and always had a smile on her face. She was a bushranger. She always had at least 5 loaded guns on her. She was 6 feet tall.

Audrey had a pet dog called Misty who was a greyhound, scruffy, dirty and grumpy. Misty barked a lot every full moon.

Audrey had a sister who was a convict in Australia at the time. Her sister’s name was Edith. Edith had a transportation sentence for 3 years.

A few months later, after Edith had gone to Australia, Audrey hatched a plan to help Edith escape her convict prison. Audrey hired a galleon ship to take her to Australia as she was very rich from bushranging. The captain had a long beard, brown hair, and dark brown eyes. He was a little grumpy so she knew it would take a while for him to warm up to her.

Audrey was extremely confident to get her sister Edith out. Audrey pretended to be a beautiful lady so no one knew she was a bushranger. On the long trip from England to Australia Captain Lewis and Audrey became good friends and trusted each other. Captain Lewis also enjoy the company of Misty, who also came along.

Once they had arrived in Australia they discussed putting their plan into motion. Captain Lewis was staying at the ship while Audrey would travel to the convict prison to free her sister Edith.

Audrey had a basket full of food, but the food had a special chemical that puts people to sleep. She said to the guards, ‘I have food to give to the poor hungry soldiers that work so hard all day.’ 

All the guards thought it was lovely so they all took some food. They all drifted off into a deep sleep so Audrey took the keys off one of the guards and went into the prison. She found Edith’s prison cell and put the key in the lock and set her free. They embraced so hard! They both cried with joy. They hadn’t seen each other for a year.

Audrey handed Edith a ladies outfit and they fled back to the ship where Captain Lewis was ready to set sail.

Captain Lewis brought them back to England where Edith’s and Audrey’s mum was waiting for them. They all reunited.

Captain Lewis took them to America where they bought a lovely house. Audrey married Captain Lewis and they had many adventures on his ship together.

Years 5 and 6

SNUFFED IN SNUG 

NEVE WINDSOR

Huonville, Huon Valley

2022

YEAR 5-6 CATEGORY

AGATHA CHRISTIE IN TASMANIA

It was a sunny morning and Miss Marple was preparing herself to go out to catch up with a friend from Western Australia. Her name was Mrs Clarise Gordon. Miss Marple was her usual self, so she couldn’t wait to dig up some gossip from this particular friend who shared the exact same interests as herself.

Miss Marple got in her car and started the engine. The roar of the engine was enough to drown the sound of a dragon’s roar. Miss Marple was going to Longley’s Hotel with such an energetic smile you thought she would’ve crashed her car. As Miss Marple hopped out of her car she heard her friend calling her name in the distance.

Miss Marple and Mrs Gordon sat at the bar where they could see almost everyone in the room.

‘How have you been going my old friend, it’s been long time no see!’ exclaimed Mrs Gordon.

‘I hear you’ve moved apartments to a cosy flat down in Snug.’ ‘Well it’s been wonderful. How’s it been going in Western Australia.’

‘Hang WA! I read some jolly good gossip in the paper about Dr Randle marring a woman half his age. Her name was something like Elenore Leone, she probably only married him for the money, I mean if it was me, that’s why I would marry him.’

Mrs Gordon turned around and said with a quiet voice, ‘Why, would you look at that, there’s Mrs Randle over there!’

‘Clarise I hate to cut in, but the man she’s sitting with is not Dr Randle’, whispered Miss Marple.

Miss Marple and her friend watched Mrs Randle and the man holding hands and having a rather romantic lunch. How odd was that? Miss Marple thought.

She said her goodbyes to Clarisse and said ‘I hope to see you again soon dear friend.’ And off Miss Marple went.

Later that day Elenore Randle was out outside of the start of the Snug Falls track. Dr Randle and she were side by side waiting for the host of their hiking club to arrive. Johnathon Nero was next to arrive all loaded with his walking sticks and hiking boots. He was followed by Nigel Lovelace the head of the walking group. ‘Ok everybody we are right to start walking.’ Exclaimed Nigel.

The walk would’ve been quick but since they were advanced walkers they made their own track and walked up to the top of the waterfall. Everyone else went for a look around whilst Dr Randle and Elenore stood and admired the view of the waterfall. Elenore could hear a clicking noise as if one that would come from some sort of mints container.

The next day there was a case in the newspaper saying Dr Randle slipped whilst bush walking at Snug Falls and fell to a deep dark death. Now Miss Marple being the town busy body decided to walk up Snug Falls to see where Dr Randle had supposably fallen to his death.

She hired some one named Sam Brooklyn to walk her up to the top of the waterfall. When she saw the way the rocks were and how the waterfall was formed she knew almost instantly this was no accident. Only a fool could’ve fallen off there and Dr Randle was no fool. This had to have been murder that was the only conclusion Miss Marple had.

Soon she saw a detective come out to the top of the waterfall to check it out himself. Miss Marple had no time to waste. Later that day she saw Mrs Randle and asked her a few questions. She said ‘it was just such a terrible accident he slipped and then he fell.’ Miss Marple knew this was obviously a lie. From the corner of her vision Miss Marple remembered seeing a purple mints container on top of the waterfall and wondered what this could mean. She went to talk next to Nigel Love lace. Seeing him she remembered him from the pub he was the man out at lunch with Mrs Randle.

Nigel said, ‘Me and Johnathon left Dr Randle and Elenore at the top of the waterfall together and then later on Johnathon needed to do a bush-wee, so he went off to do his business somewhere.’

‘Thank you very much Nigel.’ Expressed Miss Marple.

Next, she was off to talk to Johnathon Nero. Johnathon was playing with a purple mint container and he was clicking the lid up and down impatiently.

‘I just needed to do a wee, so I left that is all. Well and then Elenore came running back and told us about the you know.’

Miss Marple started to put all her facts together and called everyone down. Nigel, Johnathon and Elenore faces as white as sheets were all sitting ready to listen, so Miss Marple began. ‘Elenore and Randel were left on top of the water fall whilst Johnathon and Nigel were exploring till you Johnathon needed to wee. Though we all know that wasn’t really your intent. You hid in a bush with your lolly container clicking. You were spying on Elenore and Randle. Nigel and Elenore had secretly been having a love affair as I discovered whilst having lunch at Longley’s pub. Johnathon stood there and watched Elenore push Randle off the cliff. You Elenore like any other had a motive you wanted money. Johnathon watched you and then came out and threatened to share your secret if you didn’t kiss him. He was blackmailing you. To then pull the facts off your self you placed a mints container you knew he always had on him at the top of the waterfall leading all suspicions onto him.

‘Well I just needed money.’ Yelled Elenore. ‘None the less I am afraid you’re going to jail. I’ve already notified the inspector and the police. I’m afraid you’re going away for many, many years.’

GARNISH

 ABBY PUGH

Dover, Huon Valley

2020 WINNER

YEARS 5-6 CATEGORY

FEMALE DETECTIVES

I dug my fingernails into the leather steering wheel. I had never imagined myself coming back home, yet here I was, driving down the main road of Daineville, my hair sticking to my lips and the radio softly playing rubbish. I didn’t know what brought me here, not exactly. Perhaps I was homesick, perhaps it just felt right. But I think I was looking for a new mystery, a new mystery that I would find here.

The world had evolved so much at this point, yet Daineville was stuck in the 80’s, full of little motels, trashy old school buildings and a common enemy: Luke’s Diner. Every time I had eaten there as a child, I had to stay home sick the next day, food poisoning every time. But no matter how many times I had fallen ill, we always ended up eating there one way or another. ‘It was probably something you ate last night possum, perhaps Mum will stop cooking that for you.’ My father used to say. It had always, and still did, drive me mad. Yet I pulled into the bumpy, half empty carpark anyway.

I pushed open the door and let the little bell ring. A few eyes looked curiously over their milkshakes at me as I walked up to the counter.

‘Well, well, well, if it isn’t Kara Brookestone, Daineville’s own little Nancy Drew. How’s the detective work going?’

Luke pulled his sinister, sarcastic smile as the words slipped through his teeth and started getting on my nerves. I tried to shake him off and tossed my coins onto the metal counter, clink, clink clink.

‘I’ll take a beer, Luke.’

He scoffed and dragged the coins towards his chest. Then, something on the menu caught my eye, an intriguing new item. I slid a $5 note towards him, ‘Oh, and add the new spaghetti to that, would you?’

He snatched the five dollars out from under my fingertips, stuffed it in his pocket and proceeded to say,

‘Sorry Love, that’s only available after six. But thanks for the tip!’

I glanced up at the clock: 5:56. Wow. I slammed my fist on the table, a few hundreds in my hand.

‘Pardon?’

He looked up at me and placed the five dollars back on the counter, clearing his throat.

‘I- I said I’ll add that for you,’ he stuttered.

I smiled, picking up the five and placing a hundred down. He looked at the hundred, then back at my hand.

‘What happened to the other three?’

I placed them back in my pocket and swallowed a lump in my throat. Whether I chose to admit it or not, Luke still intimidated me; I felt like I was a little girl.

‘You lost them for being ignorant. Watch your sticky fingers next time buddy. I’ll be at Table Five.’

Flabbergasted, he let me walk off, as he should. I pulled out my chair and flicked open my notepad as I sat down, wondering if I’d ever actually stood up to Luke, or if I ever would. I stabbed my pen into the pages repeatedly, trying to find a way to occupy my mind. The sour smell of hot spaghetti and boiling blood tickled my nose, it smelt like a mystery. The plate of food was dropped in front of me, along with my drink being placed so close to the edge it almost spilt onto my lap. The scrawny waiter gave a ‘humph’ under his breath as I caught the tipping glass and pushed it back towards the centre of the table. I noticed $100 hanging out of his oversized pocket, so I snatched it back as I dipped my finger into the golden liquid and flicked it up into his eye.

‘Have fun telling Luke you failed your little mission, darling. Buh bye!’

He turned his back and walked off as I slipped a plastic bag from my back pocket. I sneer back at him,

‘Let us see what is really going on here.’

I watched Luke’s eyes dart back and forwards from me to his customer. I smiled and picked up my fork, trying to make him believe I was actually going to eat my meal. He mouthed ‘eat it’ and I nodded, swirling my fork in the pasta. I couldn’t believe I was going to do this.

I stuck the fork into my mouth and pulled the pasta off. The instant, underlying taste of blood was disgusting, and something to be suspicious about. I looked up at Luke with a mouthful, smiling weakly. He nodded in confidence that this would be my last meal. Ugh, pathetic.

He turned his back and rounded the corner, the customer’s order scribbled onto a yellow sticky note. I dropped my fork onto the table and leant over the nearby bin, spitting out my food. I had never tasted anything more fake and disgusting in my life! I stared down at the indent I had made in the swirling dish, sauce, well what I assumed was supposed to be sauce, dripping down. I pulled the plastic bag from my lap and wrapped it over my hand, staring at the little green garnish on top. Its purple- tinted edges were something I hadn’t seen before. I had to nab it before anybody saw! I picked up the little plant and flipped the bag inside out, trapping the peculiar green. I sealed it and shoved it back into my pocket, being cautious that I didn’t damage the plant too much. I swigged my beer and walked out the door, drink in hand and the extra $100 I stole back from the waiter. I felt the little garnish rubbing against me, making my curiosity and craving for mystery a lot more real.

‘KARA!’ Luke called from inside the store as I sat in my car, holding the steering wheel with a satisfied grip.

I backed out and began driving towards the motel as he burst through the door, shaking his fist. I glanced over at the car’s clock: 6:14. People were out on the sides of the road, drooping down the walkways with a pale, dead look on their faces. They had all come from the direction of the diner, making me speed up, eager to get to my room. I pulled into the motel’s pothole-filled carpark and grabbed a black case from the boot. I sped past the reception desk,

‘Room 24 checking in!’

I heard Darla, the reception lady’s pencil tick me off as I raced up the stairs. I fumbled for my key card as I approached my room. I had only been home for two days and I had already lost my key card.

‘Great,’ I said sarcastically. ‘Oh, wait-’

It fell out of my pocket and I ducked for it, shoving it against the sensor. Beep! I flew through the door and tossed the case onto my bed, pulling the plastic bag out of my pocket and slamming the door shut.

‘Keep it down, Love!’ Darla’s voice echoed up the stairs.

‘Sorry!’ 

I opened my laptop and researched before anything. What does it mean if the edges of your plant are purple? The search results were scarce, but I found an article with everything I needed and more. I stared at the screen, analysing every little detail as my stomach swirled.

Mistopocatia-The Purple Death

The Purple Death, scientifically known as Mistopocatia, is a deadly plant that has been proven to have a zombie-like effect on anybody who may come in contact with it. The name ‘Purple Death’ came from the plant’s strange lilac edges and stem, containing the toxins. If the plants stem is broken, crushed, or opened in any way, the poison will secrete. If bare skin or the digestive system comes into contact with the poison, people have been known to go into an undead state at 6:15pm, a state they cannot escape until they die 24 hours later. Mistopocatia has a strange taste, nearly identical to thyme, making it almost impossible to distinguish between a dinner garnish and an untimely death.

Click here to read more…

My heart sank. That’s why everybody was slumping down the pathways! They had eaten the purple death! I dashed to my bed and flicked open the case, a mini laboratory emerging. I open a little drawer, grabbing the gloves and slipping them on. Carefully, I opened the plastic bag and took out what I assumed was Mistopocatia, sliding it under the mini D3CRYPTER. I waited for a good fifteen minutes for the results.

‘The D3CRYPTER at the lab works better,’ I say, annoyed. Finally, I got my results.

‘You’re in trouble now, Lukey!’ D3CRYPTER

Mistopocatia: Status-deadly

I dived for my phone and dialled the police, all the evidence I needed right in my grasp.

‘Hello? Yes, this is Detective Brookestone. I’ve found evidence of Mistopocatia used as a garnish to the spaghetti at Luke’s Diner. Yes, I can prove that. Alright, I’ll head to the station now.’

I hung up, clipped my case and shut my laptop. Within seconds, I was down the stairs and out the door, Darla barely catching the tail end of my checkout. I sped to the station and burst through the door.

‘I’ve got the proof; your turn to get the guy!’

I held up my evidence and they nodded in approval. They sped down to the diner behind me. I had finally done it! We parked in the now empty carpark and stormed through the door, disregarding the ‘closed’ sign.

‘We’ll take the spaghetti, Luke,’ the chief said with his gruff, professional voice.

Luke’s face was priceless! He looked up at the officers, then to me, swinging a pair of handcuffs around my finger.

‘It was Kara. She told you, didn’t she?’

I smirked. All those years…

‘Luke Letsport, you are under arrest for the endangerment of others and serving poison to customers.’

He started whining pathetically, making my ears sore.

‘Please, I did it for the money! If my brother hadn’t offered me the big bucks, this would have never happened! Please!’

But it was too late.

At 9:24pm, Saturday 5th July, Luke Letsport was arrested, likely to be a life sentence for first degree murder. I slid my hand into my back pocket and watched them drive away with him. Something felt… wrong. My pocket…it felt…wet? I pulled out my hand and stared at the purple liquid seeping into my skin. I remembered the small snap in the stem, the small hole in the bag, and my heart stopped. I had just infected myself with the Purple Death, and there was no going back.

My throat swelled up, my veins went deep purple. I felt exposed. I felt unsafe. I felt dead.

Open Category

MURDER ON THE PACIFIC NATIONAL

IZABELLE BORZAK-BELL

Cygnet, Huon Valley

2022

OPEN CATEGORY

AGATHA CHRISTIE IN TASMANIA

Callie ran past as Marion wailed. Daniel tried to block Callie from entering the first aid station compartment, but she pushed past. Jai was dead and she urgently needed to know why and how.

Charles looked at her with a bleak expression as she entered and he nodded stiffly to a stretcher on the floor of the first aid station bearing Jai’s body.

Callie urgently, almost frantically, began examining his clothing and body, but there were no immediate signs of puncture wounds or obvious fatal injuries.

‘How is he dead if there are no signs or marks?’ Callie asked, in shock.

Charles shrugged.

‘He was maybe crushed, by the looks of it. He was still breathing, wasn’t he, when Charles found him?’

‘I gave Charles a hand to bring Jai up to first aid. He stopped breathing almost soon as we got here, I reckon.’ said Darius quickly from behind Charles.

The freight train driver then moved forward quietly and covered Jai’s motionless body with his heavy coat...

‘I guess we call the police; I expect they’ll board once we reach Launceston and want to question everyone.’ He then ordered Daniel, Thomas, and Charles to do a safety inspection of all the other wagons. The engineers muttered among themselves.

‘I’d better get this train going, get us moving immediately!’ He said sharply and impatiently as he strode quickly out of the train car.

Callie looked quizzically at Charles. ‘Why is Darius so gruff and unemotional? He doesn’t seem to be very upset, or even as concerned as everyone else is?’

Charles looked down the train car watching as Darius’s figure moved out of view and again shrugged. ‘Yeah well everyone tends to deal with stress and shock differently, I don’t know really.’

Callie squeezed Jai’s open hand; a tear escaped her eye. I’ve seen him manoeuvre inspections between train cars dozens of times and he’s always so extremely cautious. How could he let this accident happen?! Or was it not an accident? Daniel entered the train car; he saw Callie and wrapped his arms around her for comfort. Callie and Daniel moved outside to make room for Marion and Natalie who both wanted to see Jai. Marion collapsing in shock and overwhelmed at seeing her brother’s dead body on the stretcher before her.

Callie decided to speak with Marion. As Callie entered the train car, Marion’s immediate reaction was to tell her to ‘Go away!’ But Callie didn’t leave the room.

‘Marion, its me.’ she said quietly. Marion looked up, and she again started sobbing uncontrollably. ‘I want to talk to you about Jai.’ Callie quietly continued. Marion froze, she looked at Callie, waiting for her to continue.

‘When was the last time he spoke to you before he... died?’ Marion glared at Callie. As if to say ‘How dare you ask me about him?’ But still, she answered.

‘He kept...t...ell...ii...ng me. That he loved me so much and that I was the best sister in the world.’ Callie gave Marion a hug.

‘Does he usually say those sorts of things?’ Callie asked. Marion shook her head and looked at her blankly.

‘So, he only started saying those things. Yesterday?’ Marion nodded. ‘Do you think he knew.’ Callie paused.

‘That he was going to die?’ Marion stared at Callie with a shocked expression. Callie stood up and began pacing the room. Marion watched her carefully.

‘Was he holding anything? When you went to look at him?’ Marion nodded. Callie took a step towards Marion. ‘What was it?’ Marion handed to Callie a silver spoon. ‘that’s strange’. Callie examined the spoon. Then gave Marion one last hug before setting off to find the other workers to solve the mystery behind the spoon. As a freight conductor, Callie was responsible for the operations and safety of the staff on board. Therefore, it was her job to figure out the if not accidental, death of Jai.

Sadly, no one owned up to bringing a spoon on the trip. But on entering the workers train car, Callie found more unexpected objects scattered all around the inside of the train. She was finding knives, forks and more spoons! But just as she began collecting them, she felt a weird shifting in the floor. The train had stopped...

She got up and went to investigate.

She moved past the other workers and quickly reached the driver’s compartment. Darius was kneeling down under the dashboard.

‘Why have we stopped?’ Callie asked. Darius grunted and pointed to the screen on the dash reading, fuse blown. Callie sighed.

‘How long will it take to fix it?’ Callie asked. Darius shrugged. Callie walked over to the wall and took a radio off its hook.

‘We should get some help.’ Callie said. Darius nodded. Callie adjusted the radio until she found the right frequency. A voice at the other end droned.

‘Hello, this is freight conductor, Callie Carlton. Reporting a breakdown incident on the Pacific National. We are located somewhere near about half way to Launceston from the East Tamar maintenance depot. The voice told her they were sending out help.

Callie told her companions the bad news. They were stranded there for an hour, and with potentially, a murderer. Luckily, the thrill of attempting to solve the mystery was interesting her. So, Callie went back to her clues; the cutlery was everywhere. The layout was uneven and random. So, when she found three spoons pointing to Charles’s day-pack, she was surprised. Jai might have left these clues, thought Callie. She checked around to make sure no one was looking then searched Charles’s bag. She found a knife with a little bow of ribbon around it. That’s queer. She thought.

The hour passed by quickly, when the radio buzzed Callie hurried over and whisked it off the wall. The voice crackled and buzzed. ‘Help us!’ The voice cried out.

‘We’re being attacked!’ The sound of guns firing ended the call. Callie dropped the radio in shock. She couldn’t move, just the thought of the scene frightened her. What is happening!?

Another call a few minutes later explained that the rescue team had been delayed in the current circumstances. Sadly, these circumstances were that some of the team had been shot. Thomas sobbed, grieving the loss of his brother, of whom had been one of the two rescuers shot.

Callie returned to the radio not long after to check if they were still being rescued. To find the radio smashed.

Callie tried to make some sense of the series of unfolding events. Was the rescue team killed to stop the murderer from being discovered? So Jai’s death wasn’t an accident at all! The rescuers must have been killed to buy the murderer some more time?

She returned to the workers train car and examined the knife she’d found in Charles’s bag. Then she remembered something Jai had told her before he died. Jai was from an Indian family; whom were very superstitious. He had even brought a book on superstitions with him. The book would have a superstition on knifes.

Callie searched the train cars for Jai’s day-pack. She found it under a bench in the driver’s compartment. She delved through it and pulled out a neat little leather-bound book. She flicked through the pages and found a section on knifes.

It said that you should never give a knife to a friend or family as a gift. Or they will become your enemy. Callie nodded slowly. She slipped the little book into the pocket of her jeans and hurried off to find Charles.

‘What knife?’ Charles asked. Callie held the knife in front of his nose. Charles gave Callie a bewildered look.

‘Are you saying that you think that’s my, knife?’ Charles laughed. Callie nudged him. He stared at her. ‘What makes you think that?’ Callie frowned.

‘The knife was in your day-pack.’ Callie said adamantly.

‘Why were you looking in my pack? You don’t suspect I killed Jai, do you?’

‘Well, I’m not sure.’ She replied. Charles watched her carefully.

‘Is there anything else you wanted to ask me?’ Callie shook her head and slunk out of the train car.

Charles is such a kind person. It’s stupid I should suspect him of such a thing. But then why did Jai leave the knife in his bag? Or maybe he didn’t, maybe the murderer did to make it look like Charles did it! She considered this.

Marion was still a mess. Sobbing and coughing all over the place. She was a delicate little thing. When Callie entered the train car Marion looked up and gestured to the spot on the bench beside her. Callie sat down; Marion held her breath to stop a cough as Callie began asking questions.

‘What was Jai like? Was he married? Did he have kids? Where did he live?’

Marion held back a sob, then replied. She explained to Callie about Jai’s intentions and family, his trust in other people. His struggle in learning to speak English. The main superstitions he lived his life by. Callie listened patiently absorbing every detail.

By the time Callie left the train car, there wasn’t a thing she didn’t know about Jai, except why and how he died. Next, she decided to speak with the driver. Darius Walsh was still trying to fix the electrical fault when Callie entered his compartment. When he saw it was only Callie, he resumed his work.

‘I need to talk to you about the murder.’ Callie pressed.

‘What makes you think Jai was murdered?’ Darius replied, not looking up.

‘I want to know the order of inspections that were ran today.’ The driver pointed to the wall where a poster was pinned with a map of the train and the workers names and inspection routines. Callie examined the map.

‘Where was Jai found?’

‘I think it was train car four.’ The driver replied, still not looking up. Charles was train car one, Thomas three, Daniel five... But Daniel wasn’t on his post. He was helping me with my jobs. And Charles was taking over Daniel’s post for him. Callie thought about this for a moment.

‘How did you say Jai was killed again?’ Callie asked the driver.

‘I think he was crushed. The train car he was behind must have been shunted from this end and pinned him.’ Callie stared at the drivers boots sticking out from under the dash.

‘How do you know that?’ She asked slowly, approaching the subject carefully.

‘Just a guess.’ He huffed.

Callie did not suspect Darius. But it was also hard not to, due to his gruffness and brusque manner. When she returned to the workers train car it was past nine o’clock. The darkness of the night swept over the train car like a blanket.

Daniel was reading, Thomas was snoring, Natalie was staring out the window and Marion was nowhere to be seen. Callie slumped against the wall beside hers and Natalie’s packs. As she reached for her bag, she accidently knocked Natalie’s over. Callie gasped. Underneath Natalie’s pack was a gun. Callie hissed at Daniel to come and look. Daniel scuttled over; his mouth dropped when seeing the gun.

Natalie saw the attention drawn to her pack and went over to investigate. When she saw the gun... she fainted.

‘I have a suspicion it’s not Natalie’s.’ Callie frowned. ‘She could be faking it.’ Replied Daniel.

Callie felt Natalie’s forehead. ‘No, she’s out cold.’ Daniel picked up the gun.

‘Maybe it has finger prints of the real owner on it.’ He remarked.

Callie took the gun from him and laid it in her lap. She then proceeded to pull a packet of flour from her pocket and sprinkle flour over the handle of the gun.

‘Wiped. They knew we’d check.’ Callie grunted in a brittle voice.

Daniel huffed and went back to his reading.

Callie hopped over Natalie and went to find Charles. Charles was talking to the driver about the blown fuse. When he saw Callie, he smiled. He excused himself from his conversation with Darius and greeted Callie.

‘What do you know about the gun under Natalie’s pack?’ Callie asked.

‘There was a gun under Natalie’s pack?!’ Charles exclaimed. ‘Yes, there was.’ Callie replied.

‘So, you have already found the murderer?’ Callie shook her head. ‘It’s not Natalie’s gun.’ Charles face went white.

‘What’s the matter?’ Callie waved her hand in front of his face.

‘I just, this means the murderer could still be anyone. It could even be you!’ Charles ran out of the train car. Callie blinked twice; she wondered why he was suddenly so emotional.

The driver chuckled. Callie looked at him. He nodded to the seat opposite him. She sat down. For a grumpy old man like the driver this was unusual. So, it would be interesting to find out what he wanted.

‘What have you found out so far about the murder?’ Darius asked. Callie told him about the cutlery Jai had left as a clue and the knife in Charles’s bag. She told him about the little book of superstitions in Jai’s bag. Then the gun under Natalie’s pack. The driver looked frazzled when she told him she didn’t believe Charles or Natalie to be the murderer. The driver considered this information then told Callie what he knew about Jai.

‘Jai was a good fellow. He had some friends very close to him on this train, and he knew of a few incredible secrets. I believe that he told one of them this secret. They told someone else. And what do you know, now he’s dead!’

‘How did you come up with this theory?’ Callie asked. ‘Good guess.’ He smiled.

‘Do you have a theory on the rescue teams murder?’ Callie inquired. He nodded. ‘I think the murderer knew he wouldn’t be able to go through with his plans if the workers were taken off the train. Especially if one particular worker had figured out who they were. So, to buy themselves more time, they scared off the rescue team and caused the

train workers and the train to be stuck here for longer.’

The driver looked proud of himself for coming up with such a theory. ‘Another good guess?’ Callie smiled.

The driver nodded. Callie looked at her watch, it was a quarter-past ten.

‘I’d better get going. Thank you for your insights.’ The driver smiled but his face fell when he saw a photograph on the wall beside Callie’s hand. He rushed forward to snatch it away, but Callie was too fast. It was a photo of Jai and Darius.

‘Are you one of his good friends?’ Callie asked. Darius nodded.

Callie gasped. Darius didn’t make up those theories, he actually made it happen! Callie began to back away from Darius.

‘You. You...’ Callie stammered.

‘I am Darius Walsh. Driver of the Pacific National. I am friend of Jai Dutta, but he betrayed me and I couldn’t let him. I created misleading clues. The gun and other clues you have not yet noticed. I broke the fuse to stop this train. I sent people to hold off the rescue party and buy me more time.’ Darius broke off. Callie tripped over, got up and began running. She reached the door at the end of the driver’s compartment. It was locked. But she came in this way, how could it be locked?!

Darius was behind her. He pinned her against the door. Then unlocked it with his keys. His thick beard scratched her face as he moved past her. Suddenly he let go of her. If the train had been moving it would be the end of her, instead she sprained her ankle landing on the train car joint.

Just as Callie began climbing towards the workers train car, she heard a click that made her turn around... Darius was holding a loaded gun pointed at her head. Callie squealed and opened her mouth to call out but as she did Darius placed his finger on the trigger. She froze.

‘I caused the train cars to shunt. Crushing Jai and making it almost impossible to figure out who did it.’ The driver smirked.

‘Tragically because I have told you this, now I will have to kill you.’ Callie gulped.

‘But it also wasn’t me. Wasn’t my idea anyway. What can I say? It’s not who fired the shot, but who paid for the bullet.’

Callie thought about this. This meant he hadn’t planned for this to happen. It wasn’t his fault. He was being paid or forced to do this!

‘You don’t have to kill me. I won’t tell anyone what you told me.’ Callie begged. Darius watched her carefully then began lowering the gun.

But just as he did so. The door of the workers train car opened...

Charles stepped out. Grinning. He stepped on Callie’s fingers making her have to balance on the very joint between the train cars.

‘Oh, hello Callie Carlton. It is a beautiful night for a stroll, isn’t it?’ Callie glared at Charles. She had trusted him. She had trusted that he wouldn’t have done such a thing. But she was wrong.

‘Oh, yes. I did I’m afraid, order Darius to kill Jai. I also locked the door after I left a second ago. But you will understand it was for good reason. Jai had figured out I had plans to steal all the supplies on this train. You see, these electronics and machinery will sell for a very good price, making me very rich!’ Charles explained.

‘Now, what on earth are you doing Darius. She’s not going to bite. Just get rid of her already.’ Darius didn’t move. Charles rolled his eyes and pulled a gun from his jacket. At that very moment the door of the workers train car opened once more.

Daniel stepped out. He shoved the dazzled Charles out of the way and reached out to Callie. She grabbed his hand and hauled herself into his arms. Darius watched them before disappearing into his train car. Charles shook himself and got up. He glared at Daniel and made for the driver’s compartment. Daniel laughed. Not letting go of Callie, Daniel tripped Charles, causing him to hit his head on the train car joint. Knocking him out cold.

The next day, the rescue team successfully reached the train. Tying up the dizzy Charles and grouchy Darius. Callie was in the papers for solving the mystery of Jai Dutta’s death. Marion was forever grateful to Callie. Callie returned home with Daniel, vowing to herself to never again work on a train.

The RISING TIGER exhibition features stories from these young writers

With thanks to Huonville Library, Pilipala Literary, the Huon Valley Council, Regional Arts Australia, RANT Arts, the Regional Arts Fund and the Tasmanian Government.

RISING TIGER | THE BOOK

The RISING TIGER Exhibition is based on an accompanying book.

Rising Tiger (Clan Destine Press, 2023) is a collection of 65 mystery stories from young writers living in the Huon Valley, Tasmania, and beyond.

Each year, the Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival in the Huon Valley offers a Mystery Short Story Competition for all young writers to age 16. Entries arrive from across Tasmania, every state in Australia and from as far afield as New Zealand and Georgia (the country).

The young writers’ stories are entertaining, twisty and fun. They make life rather difficult for the judges.

This book contains the winning stories from 2019 to 2022, along with a range of other entries selected by the competition’s convenor, Dr L J M Owen.

The themes of the stories from these years were:

• 2019 – Female Bushrangers

• 2020 – Female Detectives

• 2021 – Scene of the Crime

• 2022 – Agatha Christie in Tasmania

We hope you enjoy this marvellous collection.

This book was created jointly by Pilipala Literary, Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival and Clan Destine Press. It is sold at cost, and not to be used for profit. All rights to the stories remain with the young writers.

Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our festival is held, the Melukerdee People of the South East Nation, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.