14 August: South Timor Sea
As Hammersley is returning to Cairns, HMAS Kinston is patrolling the Arafura Sea, 100 miles north of Darwin, when they receive a distress call.
"Mayday, mayday, mayday. This is motor vessel Sea Spray, over!"
"Captain, we are receiving a mayday."
"Thank you, Radar," Lt Commander Richard Curry replies as he takes up the radio mic.
"Australian Warship Kingston, receiving your mayday. This is LT Commander Curry... What's the nature of your mayday... over.
"Australian Warship this is Sea Spray...engine trouble. We're dead in the water...over."
"Motor vessel Sea Spray, what is your position?"
Jack Jones, "Jonesy", the master of the vessel, relays the coordinates.
"Fish" Dick Curry addresses the navigator, Samuel Bastian. "How long before we reach them?"
"60 miles, Sir, 3 hours 20 at 18 knots."
"Alright, make it so."
"Aye, Sir."
"Sea Spray, Warship Kingston. We should reach your position in about 3 hours. Is the vessel seaworthy...over."
"Yes, Captain, it's sound."
"Sit tight, we're on our way. Maybe do some fishing."
Jonesy gives a chuckle, "Thank you, Kingston, out."
Kingston was about 40km out from the Sea Spray when it was picked up by radar and then the EOD.
"I have visual on the Sea Spray, Sir. Nice looking cruiser, fairly new. Looks to be a recreational fishing boat, about 11m."
Dick Curry looked over his shoulder, "Nice boat. XO call boarding party, Helm bring us in close."
"Yes, Sir."
"Radar, raise them on the radio."
"Sir. Sea Spray, this is Australian Warship Kingsley, over."
"Kingsley, we see you, kind of hard to miss…. It's good to see you…over."
That caused a chuckle on the bridge.
"Captain Curry here. We're sending over a boarding party to assess your problem and hopefully get you on your way…over.
"Thank you, Captain."
"XO, call the boarding party."
A boarding party of five prepared to leave for the distressed vessel. The ships buffer Curt Johnson, 'Cujo' would lead the boarding. Engineer Bram, 'Stoker', and techo 'Buzz' Light, would work on the engines with 'Doc' Cooper, Kingston's Coxswain, and seaman 'Bug' Mantis as backup.
Once onboard, 'Cujo' introduced the crew. Jack Jones introduced himself as the owner of the vessel along with his two mates, Hawkeye and Rusty. After finding out from Jonesy what had happened with the engines, Stoker and Buzz opened the engine compartment and got right to it.
Cujo was looking around the deck and noticed that the fishing gear appeared to be new and unused. (Strange for a fishing holiday) he thought. Something just didn't feel right. Everything was too neat and tidy for three blokes out on a fishing cruise. Doc pulled him aside and confirmed his suspicions, "Cujo, mate, something feels off."
"I agree," he whispers. "Mr Jones… you're the owner of this fine vessel?"
"Just Jack, yeah, she's mine."
"Can I see your papers, please? Just routine when we board a vessel."
"Hawkeye, show him to the wheelhouse, would ya?"
"Sure, this way."
"Oi, mate, would it be alright if we have a look around? This is a fine boat. Wouldn't mind getting one like it someday. Mind you, not this big," Doc said.
Smith looked slightly unsettled for just a split moment, then chuckled as he outstretched his hand. "Be my guest."
Doc nodded and took Bug with him below.
"This galley is really something," Doc called up as he and Bug quietly searched. Bug lifts a cushion from one of the benches, sees a compartment and lifts the lid.
"Doc" he called in a whisper. Doc turned toward him and saw that Bug had found a cache of automatic weapons and a complement of handguns. He indicated to Bug to leave it and continue with the search.
"How many can it sleep?" Doc calls up to Jones.
"Eight.""
"Nice!" They had now moved to look through the berths. "Bug, over here," he whispered. "See if that panel opens. Looks like it might."
Bug took out his knife, pried it into the groove in the panelling, and sure enough, it popped open, revealing that it was full of what looked to be bags of cocaine. Again, he indicated to leave it as they found it and then they made their way back topside.
Doc gave Bug a nod in the direction of the three "fishermen", "be ready," he said, sending Bug over to distract them by chatting them up about the boat.
When the three men from the boat were distracted, Doc spoke quietly to Cujo, "we found a cache of weapons and a wall full of drugs."
"Huh, surprise, surprise. Okay, on three, we take them, holding up his hand he used his fingers to count down. Bug had been expecting something and had been alert for their action.
Cujo, Doc, and Bug drew their weapons, "Sit Down! On the deck! Sit down now and don't move!" Keeping his gun trained on the three, Cujo ordered Doc and Bug to secure their hands. Then he called Kingston...
"Pappy 9-5 … Charlie 9-5"
"Go ahead, Charlie."
"Boss, we've found a cache of automatic weapons and a large quantity of drugs on board. The crew of the vessel is being detained… over."
"Make sure that Buzz videos everything and transport the mongrels to Kingston. How're the repairs coming?"
"Stoker thinks another hour, Sir. He has to replace the fuel line."
"Alright. Get those mongrels back to the ship."
Back on Kingston, LT Commander Curry met the RHIB as it was brought in and secured.
"Well, Welcome aboard, gentleman. Sorry to have ruined your day although you've made mine." He said with a chuckle. "Escort these fine gentlemen to austere. Doc, post a double guard."
"Yes, Sir."
"Cujo, pull a three-man steaming party to take the vessel back to port. I want an extra man in case there's trouble. Send them over in the RHIB then you can bring back Stoker and Buzz when they're done."
Back on the bridge, Dick Curry called Commander Marshall at NAVCOM.
"Dick, what have you got?"
"Answering a mayday, we came across a drug-running vessel with three POB. There was a cache of automatic weapons and what appears to be a large amount of cocaine. We've secured the vessel and its occupants. A steaming party will be bringing it in as soon as the mechanical issue is resolved."
"Any problems?"
"No, Sir. The boarding party handled the situation perfectly. The boat was seized without incident."
"Very good. I'll notify the Federal Police to meet the boat when it comes in. ETA?"
"Two and a half days, Sir. Sunday 1300."
Cairns Naval Base the same day:
Hammersley slipped into her berth at 1500hrs. An ambulance was there waiting to take Rebecca to the hospital.
When Josh learned what time Hammersley would be in, he received permission to meet her arrival. One of the perks of working in maintenance was a flexible schedule and a very understanding LT.
Nikki was wearing her whites as she disembarked from the ship, smiling, Josh saluted when she came off the gangway. Laughing, Nikki returned his salute.
"Hey, Babe," kissing her, hello. "This is a pleasant surprise."
"We're not in port for long, a couple of days at most. Kingston will be coming in, and we'll be heading back out. What's with all the saluting?"
"Well… We're in uniform, LT. Don't want to be seen in breach of protocol." Leaning in for another kiss. "I have to go back to the shed for another hour. Do you want to come with, meet the LT and the crew? We could go for a bite after. Or, if you want, you can pick me up, and we'll go out then, or not."
"Costello's on the Wharf?"
Josh chuckles. "Is there any place else?"
"I'll come," smiling up at him.
"Fair dinkum!"
Taking her hand, he leads her off to their car.
Rebecca was escorted by Swain off Hammersley and into the waiting ambulance. She was admitted for 24-hour observation at the hospital, and while there the Federal Police paid her a visit.
"Mrs Monroe, I'm Lead Inspector Alicia Hahn, and this is my partner, Inspector Sergeant Greg Callaghan with the Federal Police. We were hoping that you could tell us what happened."
Sighing, "Yes. It's Rebecca." Rebecca explained all that had happened from the moment she and Martin had met Josh's dive boat to being picked up by Hammersley.
"Did you notice the name of the boat?"
"I was so scared…I think it was 'Pearson' something."
Alicia and Greg shared a glance. "Do you remember anything else about the boat?"
"There were a lot of plastic containers on the deck. I think that they had little fish in them."
"Little fish?"
"Yes, there was a logo on the tops," she went on to describe the logo.
Again, Alicia and Greg looked at each other. She had just implicated Pearson Marine in her and Martin's abduction and the pickup of the drugs.
"Mrs Monroe, thank you. You have been extremely helpful. "
"You'll catch who did this, who killed Martin?"
"We're going to do our best. Your information is going to go a long way in helping that to happen. Before we go, I need to get some contact information from you."
"I'll be staying with my sister for now," Rebecca gave Alicia her sisters address and phone number.
Walking out of the hospital, Greg says, "Pearson Marine crops up again,…like a bad dream."
"It appears that the pieces seem to be falling into place," Alicia replies.
16 August: Sunday
Kingston arrived in port just ahead of the Sea Spray. Commander Marshall had notified the Federal Police about Kingston's apprehension of the drug runners. Inspector Hahn planned to meet her when she came into port to take them into custody. The crime scene team took over the Sea Spray once the vessel was docked and the drugs and guns were taken into evidence. Captain Curry had ordered a copy of the video Buzz had taken aboard the Sea Spray for the Navy's records giving the original to Alicia.
The three suspects from the Sea Spray were transported to police headquarters, processed and then put into separate interview rooms to be questioned.
Alicia contacted the prosecutor'soffice and requested an offer of immunity with the possibility of witness protection if warranted. The prosecutor agreed, but the offer would only go to the first one of them to name the rest of the Cartel and agree to testify in court. It was also contingent upon the relevance of the information given. The Sea Spray's owner and his second refused the offer. Jimmy Smith, 'Rusty', the youngest of the three at twenty-two, took the deal, hoping to avoid jail.
Jimmy told them everything he knew. He told them about taking the drugs onboard in Timor to transport them to Penfold Island and then picking up by another boat. They learned from Jimmy the Sea Spray would ferry the drugs once a month to Penfold Island and leave them in an old WWII bunker. That was all he knew. He didn't know the identity of the next link in the chain. He also explained that they would send a message to their anonymous contact via SAT phone once they made the drop. With Jimmy's statement, it was evident to the two inspectors that the Sea Spray crewwasn't involvedin the Monroe's abduction or the murder of Martin Monroe.
Because of Jimmy's limited knowledge of the operation, it was determined that Smith's life would not be in danger and therefore didn't qualify for the immunity deal. The three drug mules were charged with international transportation of illegal drugs and weapons.
Hammersley had initially scheduled to sail on Sunday. But because Kingston seized the drug boat, their departure would be delayed another day to allow Inspectors Hahn and Callaghan to process suspects before leaving Hammersley on Monday. Hammersley's orders were to ferry the Federal Police with the crime scene crew to Penfold Island and offer any assistance and backup as needed.
17 August: Monday
The weekend over, Josh drove Nikki to the wharf for Hammersley's departure. As they were kissing goodbye, Charge and Buffer passed by.
"Hey, you two! Don't you ever stop?" Charge calls out laughing.
"No… jealous?" Josh answered back, then returned to kissing Nikki.
18 August
They were a day from the island, when Alicia, using the confiscated SAT phone from Sea Spray, asked Swain to make the call confirming that the drugs had been dropped. He only had to use a code phrase that Smith had given her.
In just under two days, Hammersley reached Penfold Island. Arriving at the island 0300hrs Wednesday morning. The Federal Team would be transported to the island at 0800hrs.
Alicia and her team inspected the campsite and then the bunker where they found evidence that drugs had been there.
Jimmy had told them that the usual pickup was made about two days after the drop and the Feds set up a stake-out. The crime scene team finished and were taken back to Hammersley while the two inspectors and their backup waited to see if Pearson would show up.
Mike moved the Warship out of sight of the island. As soon as Alicia saw the Pearson boat, and then the Zodiac heading toward the beach, she contacted Hammersley to move into position. While Alicia and her team of federal officers were taking the men from the Zodiac, Mike proceeded to take control of Pearson Marine II.
"Nav, get the loud hailer. Let them know we mean business."
"Yes, Sir. Vessel off our port bow. This is Australian Warship Hammersley. Weapons down, we intend to board you. If you fire upon us, we will return fire."
"X, boarding party, extra plates."
"Yes, Sir," Kate responded.
With the Warship's imposing presence, Danno and Vick offered no resistance and the boarding party quickly took control of the Pearson boat. The entire operation went without a hitch and with no casualties. After being transported to Hammersley, Pearson's men were confined under guard in austere. Kate assigned Spider and Swain as the steaming party to bring the Pearson boat back to Cairns.
Once they were underway, Alicia started to question the drug runners pulling Danno aside first. He agreed to talk to her without a lawyer. He told her about the night the Monroe's were taken hostage and that Fulton ordered that they be fired upon.
"What happens once you get back to port?" Alicia asked him.
"There's a Pearson Marine delivery van that meets the boat and the containers with the fish and drugs are loaded into the van. I don't know where they go from there. I do know that Fulton and some schmuck named Marc are up to their eyeballs in the operation. There are others, but I don't know who they are."
Danno told her that Pearson would be expecting his call letting him know when to expect them and he agreed to make that call. He relayed to Pearson that they would be there Thursday afternoon.
With the information from Danno, Alicia called the station to have arrest warrants drawn for Michael Pearson, Campbell Fulton and Marc Mathews, along with a search warrant for Pearson Marine Supply. A team of Federal Agents would be there to greet Pearson Marine II when they arrived. Then they would move to take-down the group loading the van. Simultaneously, another team would hit Pearson's office, serve the search warrant, and apprehend Pearson and hopefully his associates.
Following the interview, Alicia went to Mike and explained the Federal Police's plan and requested permission to insert federal agents onto the Pearson Boat prior to reaching port. Mike checked in with NAVCOM. Permission granted, Hammersley would rendezvous with the steaming party and insert Alicia, Greg and two more agents on board.
20 August, Hammersley 1900hrs: Nikki sends Josh a message.
* Hey! I miss you. *
Josh had been sitting on the balcony, sipping a beer and enjoying the lighting show that was happening out over the water when the laptop pinged alerting to an incoming message.
* Hi Luv, miss you too. How did everything go? *
*Perfectly. Swain and Spider are bringing the boat in with a couple of federal agents onboard. They hope to round up the gang when they come to get the drugs off the boat. What are you up to? *
*Been watching a light show out over the water. Looks like you might hit some weather, heaps of lighting. *
*Your favourite. We're still almost a full day away, haven't gotten any storm reports, yet anyway. *
*Stay safe, we still have a wedding to plan. *
Nikki grinned. Usually, it's the woman pushing for the wedding planning, but she knows that Josh is anxious to get married. She is too.
* We'll be okay. We've been through heaps of storms together. Remember that one that left fish all over the deck? LOL*
* Yeah, and I remember the one where you had the ship; we lost power and came close to broaching. *
* I remember. That was scary shit. *
*You know I love a good storm, but that one was a bit much. *
They talked like that for a while longer and then Nikki had watch coming up.
*When I have a better idea of our arrival, I'll let you know. Gotta go, watch coming up. *
*Okay, Luv. I love you, miss you. *
*Love you. I'll be in touch tomorrow. Sleep well…xoxo*
*Love you, fair winds, xoxo*
Hammersley did run into Josh's storm. Other than a lot of sick druggies in austere, it didn't give them any more than some good ole routine rock'n roll'n.
22 August: Saturday1300hrs
Pulling up to the Pearson's dock in Cairns, Swain slides the boat into the slip and ties off. One of the guys with the van called up to the boat, "Hey, where's Danno?"
"He couldn't make this trip," Swain called back.
The agents stayed hidden until the containers were being loaded into the van then they moved. With the element of surprise, they were rounded up without incident.
As the take-down was happening on the dock, Alicia's ordered simultaneous raid on Pearson's office got them Pearson, his wife and Marc Matthews. They were arrested and taken into custody. A search of Pearson's office turned up $100,000 in cash along with a ledger that had the names of the others in the syndicate. Among the names was Campbell Fulton.
Arriving at the commercial docks to meet the delivery, Fulton saw the police activity on the pier and near the office. That was all he needed, and he high tailed it out of there. Turning his car around, he drove away from Pearson's slowly to avoid bringing attention to himself.
It was time to put his escape plan into motion, and he headed to a local gym where he kept a locker with a bug-out bag packed with some clothes and over $200,000. After retrieving the bag, he left his car at the gym and stole a car from the nearby movie theatre car park hoping that it wouldn't be discovered straight away. Then he took off for Port Douglas and Marc Mathews boat. If his plan worked, he would be there before it was seized by the police.
Fulton left the stolen car in the municipal car park and made his way to the docks. He got himself a cuppa and found a secluded spot to watch the boat. After waiting a half-hour, and not seeing anything worrisome, it was time to go. Slipping unseen onto the boat, Fulton motored out of the harbour and under cover of darkness disappeared.
Pearson named Fulton as the one behind the dive boat's sabotaging and admitted that he knew Fulton's plans. He was charged with nine counts of murder added onto the drug trafficking charges. A warrant for Campbell Fulton's arrest for the murder of the divers and Martin Monroe, and for drug trafficking was issued.
Later that evening:
Nikki and Josh were watching the late news when the Pearson drug bust story came on.
*Federal Police have arrested Michael Pearson, owner of Pearson Marine Supply, for his involvement in nine divers' deaths last June. The nine divers working for Pearson Marine were found on the beach of a remote island near Red Reef. The dive boat had been reported missing by Pearson and then was later located by the Navy. It was found to be sunk in the same area. Of the ten divers working on the boat, there was only one survivor, one Josh Holiday, a Petty Officer stationed here in Cairns. It is unclear why he was on the boat at the time. Petty Officer Holiday spent several weeks in hospital following the incident. *
Nikki was sitting on the couch next to Josh, he reached over and pulled her to him. She took hold of his hand.
* Pearson's been charged with nine counts of murder along with several charges relating to drug trafficking. Along with Michael Pearson, Marc Mathews was arrested at his home in Cairns. He has been implicated as the fixer for the drug cartel. A warrant for the arrest of Campbell Fulton, Pearson's associate, (his service photo from Marine Protection is shown) has also been issued. Fulton has also been charged with nine counts of murder for the divers' deaths and for drug trafficking.
The public's help is asked in locating this man. Don't approach, he is considered dangerous. Notify the local authorities. A reward of $50,000 is being offered for information leading to his apprehension. It has been speculated that Fulton has escaped from Port Douglas using Mathew's boat. The Navy, in conjunction with Coast Watch, are conducting a sea search as well. *
"I don't frik'n believe it! "Josh said, jumping up from the couch and pacing. "Fuck'n Fulton! Again! And he got away!" he raged. "And Pearson! That evil son of a bitch! He murders his own divers… nine! Nine people! And then has a service for them! How sick is that!"
Nikki had never seen him so angry. He stormed out to the balcony and stood gripping the rail, shaking. Following, she went over to him and wrapped her arms around him.
"Josh…Josh, Luv …I don't know what to say," she said concerned and trying to calm him.
He turned and looked at her then pulled her close, and just held her. "Nothing, there's nothing to say." Josh turned and flopped into one of the lounge chairs. Sitting forward, resting his arms on his knees, he covered his face with his hands, tears of anger, frustration, and grief covering his cheeks. Nikki again wrapped him in her arms as she sat with him. After a few minutes, he took a deep breath, returned her embrace and kissed her slowly. "I love you."
"I love you too."
The following morning Nikki and Josh were snuggling, enjoying the afterglow of their morning lovemaking when Josh kisses the top of her head. "Why don't you take your shower and I'll get brekky going."
"Alright, sounds good," she said, untangling herself, getting up, and heading to the shower.
Fifteen minutes later, while standing at the stove making eggs and bacon, Josh heard Nikki coming down the stairs. Pouring her a brew, he hands it to her as she walks into the kitchen.
Smiling, she takes the offered cup, kissing his cheek, "Thanks, Luv, you spoil me."
"That's the idea. What's with the shorts? I thought you had to report to Hammersley this morning?"
"I just received notice from Kate. There's a freak early-season cyclone that will pass through the Arafura and on to Timor. We're staying in port for two more days."
"That's fantastic!" (If Fulton is out there in the Arafura, maybe the SOB will drown.) Josh says to himself.
Chuckling, "I thought so too."
"Well then, what do you want to do today?" It's Sunday and Josh's day off.
"How about Port Douglas?" Nikki suggests.
"Sounds good, we can rent some bikes and ride the coast, do some shopping, have a bite," Josh suggests.
"Perfect."
After their ride and they perused the shops, Josh was alternately holding Nikki's hand or draping his arm across her shoulders.
"Time for a bite? I'm starved," Nikki said.
"Yeah, I could eat."
"You can always eat," Nikki said grinning.
Finding an outside bistro, they settle in at a table.
"Excuse me, I've got to use the loo. I'll be right back Nik. Order for me? A turkey and cheese with chips and a coke."
"Sure."
Josh left the table and went inside the restaurant but then slipped out the side door. He quickly made his way to one of the shoppes that sold handcrafted jewellery. Nikki had been admiring a necklace earlier, and he wanted to get it for her. Tucking his purchase into his pocket, he quickly made his way back. She is sipping a coke as he returns to the table.
After lunch, Josh suggested a walk on the beach. They took off their shoes and strolled the surf. After a while, he guided her over to one of the benches under the palm trees. Sitting for a moment, they quietly watched the surf and the swirling sea birds.
"Nik, turn around, close your eyes."
"Huh?"
"Humour me."
She turned her back to him. Josh took the necklace from his pocket and slipped it around her neck.
"Josh?" reaching up and touching it, she turned back to him.
With tears threatening all she could say was, "When?"
"At lunch," leaning over and kissing her. "Thank you for taking such good care of me."
Nikki threw her arms around him, "you are a most amazing man. I'm so lucky."
Sunday 23 August:
Fulton was happily cruising to Timor feeling rather good about getting away. He would refuel in Timor and continue towards Singapore. That all changed when the radio squawked announcing an urgent maritime weather report issued by Marine Weather Services. A bizarre late winter cyclone, a Category 3 storm, will be crossing into the Timor area early Monday.
Cyclone? Late August? What the hell! Fulton says out loud. Knowing that he was too far from land, he began to prepare for the blow the best that he could by securing everything. He knew that he was in trouble.
As the storm approached, the surf became angry, and he donned his lifejacket, readying for the worst. Twenty-four hours later, "Angie" rolled over him. As he was riding out the storm, a rogue wave washed over the boat capsizing it. The boat with Fulton disappeared into the sea.
