Ho Ho Ho

“Ho Ho Ho”

Santa Clause Killer

The 000 call came through just after midnight. Frank Stevens had returned home from and interstate business trip to find his wife’s body under the heavily decorated Christmas tree. The post-mortem results found she had been straggled sometime between 8 and 10 that evening. There were very few defensive marks nor was there any sign of sexual assault.

“Oh shit, it has started again” detective Peter Clark said as he slammed his fist on his desk.

“What?”

“Ah James, it seems to be a bit of a pattern. Every year for the last 4 years these murders start. Vics are generally middle aged and quite well off. The first one usually shows up about 10 to 14 days before Christmas and over the next few weeks there can be 5 – 6 murders.”

Detective James McCormack was new to Brisbane and looked confused.

“IT is always the same MO, always found under the Christmas tree, all presents gone plus any cash the vic may have had. We just can’t seem to get him. But he will make a mistake this year, I am counting on it.”

Over the next week the body count increased to 4. No one hears anything, no one sees anything. No new leads at all.

Standing outside Myers in his favourite stop, he watches her, just as he has done for the last few days. Her high heels click as she walks. She has an air of authority about her, all dressed in a fancy suit. He could well believe it. She didn’t recognise him of course, how could she. It had been years yet he could not forget her. Never. He really hated doing what he knew he must, but she was no different to the others except that he had real feelings for her. But he would play the game just the same. Donations were down this year, even worse than last year yet he watched people with large carry bags full of gifts for friends and loved ones.

Karli was glad to get home. Kicking off her high heels as she walked through the door, she then poured herself a scotch before dialing the station.

“Detective McCormack please”

“Who may I say is calling?’

“It is his wife, Karli”

“Det James McCormack speaking, how may I help you?”

“Hi Darling, thanks for the flowers, the Christmas wrapping was a nice touch”

“Um, what flowers?”

“Oh James really, the ones you left on the doorstep”

“So you do have a secret boyfriend, cause it wasn’t me” he chuckled.

“Hey babe, I have to go, big meeting on. Be sure everything is locked up. I’ll try not to wake you when I come in, or maybe I will” he chided “Love You”

Karli slept well and apart from hearing a few rattles and creaks, which she put down to the wind, nothing caused her any alarm.

Her charity golf day was early next morning and she left James sleeping and noticed the Santa suit draped on the chair. She remembered he mentioned that he was playing Santa and the station Christmas party tonight.

Out on the golf course nearly every second cart carried a “Santa”. Plenty of “Yo Ho Ho’s” and waves. There was one Santa on every hole. The day was a great success and a good time was had by all. Karli couldn’t help but laugh about the one Santa who kept close to her group and she wandered who was really under the big red suit and the white flowing beard.

After dinner with friends, Karli arrived home around 8.30 and was just about to climb into bed when there was a knock on the back door and a cheerful “Ho Ho Ho’.

Karli looked out the laundry window to see James in his Santa suit holding a large sack.

“Darling” she laughed “what are you doing here, did you have a call in the area?”

“Yo Ho Ho” was his reply as he came through the door. His plastic Santa mask distorting his voice.

Detective James McCormack arrived home at 3.45 am to find all the presents gone and replaced his wife’s body naked under the tree. The post mortem results later showed she had been strangled just like the others but unlike the others there was evidence she had been sexually assaulted.

“Good morning Mr Winters, thank you so much for all your help. The donations you have been able to get will make life so much easier and bring joy to a lot of families this year.”

“Kate, I feel everyone must donate but this year was my last. I think I will retire down south, back to Sydney. This year has knocked me around, it has been very emotional”

Sydney, one year later.

Five women have now lost their lives to who the media call the Santa Claus Killer. All were wealthy, middle-aged and found strangled under their Christmas tree. No sign of sexual assault.