‘Shh. We don’t have time. Yes, I got your note. I know who you are, Katherine Thompson. And I know Alec, he’s my friend. How can I get you out of here. Any ideas?’
‘You know Alec? How?’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll explain later. We must get you out of here soon.’
‘Karl knows you contacted the police.’
‘What! How?’
‘He heard you on the Flying Doctor telegrams session. So he knows. He’s running scared and is packing up. He’s leaving first thing in the morning and thinks he’s taking us with him, before Benjamin —’
‘Benjamin? Who’s Benjamin?’
‘He’s the bloke that kidnapped us in South Australia. He’s a religious crank, real mad. He thinks he’s made me his wife.’
‘Who’s Karl, then?’
‘He’s Benjamin’s mate. He’s a misogynistic bastard, really dangerous, and while Benjamin’s away he looks after the Factory —’
‘Factory?’
‘Oh! That’s what they call this place. They make honey and bee products, sell ‘roo meat and skins —’
‘Okay. No time now for details. We’ll talk later. For now we’ve just got get you and the children out of here. My Tojo’s about one click down the track, bit of a hike, or run. Do you think you could make it during the night when he goes to sleep?’
‘He doesn’t always sleep at regular times. He’s pretty hyped up now, with packing and getting ready to go at first light. He’s very nervy and watching us all. I don’t think that he suspects you’d come back but he’s watching me really carefully in case I try and do something.’
‘Is there anything you could do to get away without him knowing?’
‘Well, he’s keen on his whisky. Perhaps I can try and get him a bit drunk. That should keep him quiet. He’s always trying to get his hands on me so maybe I can get whisky into him by playing along a bit. If I feel it safe enough I can try and signal you somehow and we can go. Where will you be?’
‘I don’t know. It’s too risky for you. Especially if he’s drunk and not sleepy.’
‘You got any better ideas?’
‘No, not really. Just be careful, really careful. I’ll wait near the gate. Here, take my torch, you can use it to signal me.’ He pushed it through the wires and Katherine quickly retrieved it.
Petri continued. ‘I’ll keep an eye open. Aren’t you scared he’ll hurt you if you play up to him? I saw the way he beat you earlier.’
‘I know. But I’ll take any risk now. I’ll be careful. Promise. I reckon you’re my last chance. So far he hasn’t hurt me really badly. He’s done some pretty horrible things, but he hasn’t raped me or anything. I think he just likes —’
‘Where the fuck are ya, bitch? There’s fuckin’ work to be done an’ you sittin’ in the dunny?’ Karl’s voice came echoing around the corner.
Petri shrank back into the darkness and Katherine quickly slipped into the dunny. Karl was shining a large torch that swept the path as he walked to the dunny. He kicked open the door and shone the light in.
‘Shittin’ pretty, eh!’ He laughed at his own humour and turned back. ‘Hurry up, work ta be done.’ He stood at the corner and waited, occasionally shining his torch in the door.
Katherine hid the torch under some paper in the dunny then, after a few minutes, walked steadily towards Karl, not looking at the place where Petri lay hidden. As she did so she said very quietly, ‘Wait at the gate. I’ll be there. The gate.’ She walked on and, as Karl joined her, disappeared around the corner.
Petri remained pressed against the sand until they were no longer visible. He slowly made his way back to the broken gates, keeping a good distance between the fence and himself. Once again he was afraid not only of being seen but also of being heard by the dog. He reached the gate without incident and lay down in the sand, a short distance from the track.
He watched the activity at the compound. Karl loaded more boxes on to the back of his vehicle. Katherine was inside the building but emerged every now and then to hand Karl something. The evening wore on and it became colder. Petri felt stupid that he had not brought his parka. Days in the desert might be hot but even in May the nights could go below freezing. He shivered.
He looked at his watch. It was only seven forty five. It was unlikely that she would make an escape attempt for at least another hour or so. He did a quick calculation: if he walked fast he could be at the ute within half an hour, get his parka and return to the gate within the hour. That would make it about nine. Unlikely Katherine would be able to get away from the dogger before then.
A frozen body would be useless if he had to move quickly. He decided to risk it. He crawled back to the track, getting to his feet only when a good distance from the damaged gates, then set off at a brisk pace. As he went he checked for the flagging tape he had left. It wasn’t easy but there was just enough light from stars to see the markers. It would be a different matter if the clouds came over.
K arl firmly tied the last of the ropes flung across the overloaded tray, stood back and admired his handiwork. ‘That’s it. All done. Could do with a drink, eh.’
‘Okay, I’ll make you some coffee, or do you want a beer?’
‘Shit, no fuckin’ coffee. Ya mad, after all that work? Git me a beer, then go check the generator’s still got fuel.’ He rolled another cigarette and sprinkled it with powder. He lit it and took a deep inhalation.
Katherine did as she was asked. Tonight, of all nights, she didn’t want to inflame Karl. She checked the generator but added no extra fuel. She thought it would be to her advantage if darkness descended earlier rather than later. On her return to the main building she found Karl relaxed and seated, his chair pushed back and feet on the table.
‘Karl, you’re all packed and ready to go. The time here is over. You won’t want me and two small kids in your way when you leave. So just go and leave me and the kids behind. We’ll wait here for the Benjamin and the cops. It won’t be more than a couple of days.’
‘I ain’t decided what I’m gunna do with ya, bitch, or ya brats.’
‘Look, if you go now, tonight, by the time Benjamin returns you’d be far away. The cops never even know you’d been here.
And I won’t tell them anything, promise.’
‘Think I believe ya, stoopid bitch. Ya’d tell ‘ em everything. Women lie. Ya already lied ta me ‘cause ya told that bastard ‘bout us.’
‘No, I swear. I won’t tell anyone about you. After all, it was Benjamin —’
‘Liar. I know from experience. It’s women’s lies that got me in prison.’
‘I wouldn’t. It’s Benjamin who kidnapped me, not you. He’s the one should go to prison, not you. If you go tonight, now, you’d get a head start.’
Karl leaned forward and looked at Katherine. ‘Hey, ya could give me a head start now, bitch. How ‘bout a bit of head, eh?’
Katherine had no idea what he was talking about, but judging from the snorted laugh realised he had made a joke, one only he could laugh at. She continued. ‘Come on, Karl. The cops don’t even know about you. This place is probably in Benjamin’s name. You could go and no-one would be the wiser.’
‘Yeah, but ya know, an’ being a bitching blabbermouth, would tell ‘em all, like all women, eh.’
‘No, I promise you, I wouldn’t. I just want to get out and forget what has happened here. I want to get back at Benjamin, not you. He was the one that kidnapped us —’
‘Yeah, but mebbe I wanna keep ya for meself. Benjamin stole ya, mebbe I kin do the same.’
‘What? Don’t be silly, Karl. Me and the kids would just be a problem for you.’
‘How long ya bin livin’ ‘ere? Seven years likely, an’ no-one found ya. I could keep ya for ever.’ He took another swig from the beer stubby. ‘It’d be great ta ‘ave me own bitch. She’d ave ta do what I tells ‘er. Help me wif me work, do what I want when I want. A woman, an’ a real looker at that, all to meself.’
Kather
ine looked away. She wasn’t going to let him bait her.
‘How kin I do it?’ Karl started speaking softly. Katherine wasn’t sure if he realised she could hear. ‘Take ‘em all. But I don’ want bloody kids. An’ go where? Hide until the heat blows over, an’ come back ‘ere? Kid’s? I reckon I can take the bitch, leave the kids; no-one’ll know who they are.’
‘No way!’ Katherine couldn’t help her reaction. ‘No way. I’ll never leave my children alone, hoping someone will find them here. You’d have to kill me first. I will not leave my children.’
She moved closer to Carolyn and put her arms protectively around her.
Karl swigged his beer. ‘So how’s ya gunna all fit in the ute, eh? With the dog on the back it’s a fuckin’ tight fit already.’
‘Just leave us here. Go now, before the police come and leave us here. I’ll tell them it was Benjamin and not mention you.’
‘Yeah, well. Mebbe I’ll leave ya all here. An’ then mebbe not. If I does leave ya all here what’s in it for me, eh?’ The power lay in Karl’s hands, and he knew it. He had the muscle, the transport and the gun. ‘Gunna have a bit a fun eh, before I goes?’ He looked directly at Carolyn. ‘Youse two an’ me?’
‘No. Leave Carolyn out of this.’ Katherine stood in front of her daughter. ‘She’s been through and seen enough already.’
‘Mummy?’ Carolyn clutched the back of Katherine’s dress, obviously aware of the question directed at her.
‘It’s okay. You’re going to bed right now. ‘ Katherine picked up her daughter and started out of the room. Karl stood quickly and went to the door, blocking her way.
‘Give us a goodnight kiss, darl.’ He puckered his lips at Carolyn who dutifully but nervously kissed him back.
‘See, ole Karl’s not so bad, eh? Ya can teach ya mummy a thing, eh?’ He looked meaningfully at Katherine. ‘An’ a kiss from ya?’
Katherine, not wanting to create a scene while she held Carolyn, leaned forward and kissed him quickly on the side of his face.
‘Ya better git ya arse back here soon, bitch, or I’se gunna be lookin’ for you. An’ the kid.’
Katherine took Carolyn into their shared room and had a quick look at the sleeping Isaac before putting her daughter into bed. She still didn’t have a plan to get to the gates without Karl knowing. She patted Carolyn’s hair. ‘Listen carefully, sweetheart. You just pop off to sleep now and have sweet dreams. I’m just going to tidy up then I’ll come back.’
‘Goodnight, Mummy.’
‘Goodnight, angel. Sleep tight. I’m going to be back very soon. If I wake you then you must keep very quiet. All right?’
‘Yes, Mummy. Good night.’
Before leaving the room Katherine gathered together a few of her homemade clothes, some for the children and a couple of blankets. She tied a blanket around everything. From the dunny she collected the hidden torch and put it next to the pile, grateful that Petri had thought to give it to her. She returned to the main building.
Katherine knew now that she was no longer the shy girl of years ago. She was ready to fight, to do whatever it took to get away, even kill if necessary. Tonight was her last chance. No matter what it took she would not let the children go with this man.
Karl was still sitting at the table. ‘So, now jist ya an’ me, bitch. Last night together or are youse coming with me?’
‘I told you, I’m staying here with my children. You go, and go now, tonight.’
‘Nah, plenny a time. I’se goin’ at first light. Reckon I’se gunna take ya wif me.’
‘I told you. I won’t leave here without my children. Nothing in the world will make me.’
Karl’s eyes narrowed and a thin smile played around the edge of his lips. He lifted the stubby and drained it without taking it from his mouth. ‘Nothing in the world will make me,’ he mimicked. ‘Listen, ya stoopid bitch. I kin make ya, I kin make ya do anythin’ I want.’ He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. His voice became a snarling growl.
‘I’ll tell ya if ya stay, if ya go, if the kids stay, if they go. If I say jump, ya fuckin’ well jump.’
Katherine was silent. He held all the cards, evil cards and all stacked against her. She tried a different approach. ‘No point arguing, Karl. It’s true. You are stronger. I was just thinking what was best for all of us, not just me and the kids but also for you. Without me and the kids you’d be able to move faster. You know we’d be in your way.’ She smiled. He appeared to be buying it. ‘Anyway, can I get you a coffee, or a whisky?’
‘Don’ be a fuckin’ stoopid bitch. I told ya before, when d’ya see me drinkin’ coffee? Bring me the bottle.’
Katherine went to the shelf and took down the nearly full bottle of whisky. Behind it was a second bottle. She handed him the drink then busied herself around the main building, tidying and putting things away. She cleaned dishes, emptied rubbish containers and kept his glass full. He sat silent most of the time, sipping and smoking, obviously deep in thought while watching her move around the building.
She thought about the generator. There couldn’t be too much fuel left. If it ran out she could make a move. Hopefully the quantity of beer and whisky imbibed by Karl would be suf-ficient to make him sleepy, if not drunk. She moved quietly across the room towards the door. Karl was still lounging in the chair between her and the door. His eyes looked half closed.
‘Where d’ya think ya goin’?’ he growled.
‘I’m going to bed. I’m tired from the packing and the cleaning up.’ Katherine moved closer to the door. As she passed the chair he reached out a hand and grabbed the edge of her kaftan.
‘Not so fast, bitch.’
Katherine turned. ‘More whisky?’ She kept her voice steady.
‘Nah, reckon it’s time I had a bitta ya. So, ‘ow ”bout bitta kissy kissy, eh, jist like lil ole Carolyn.’
‘Forget it, Karl. I’ll get you whisky but —’
‘Bitch. Ya reckon I’se too pissed ta fix ya? Let’s go fetch Carolyn eh? She’ll teach her mummy how ta kiss an’ dance.’ Karl stood up. Still holding her, he lurched towards the door. In spite of the drinking he was relatively steady on his feet.
‘No, no. Okay. I’ll kiss you. Just leave Carolyn out of this.’
‘C’mon then.’ Karl puckered his lips and leaned forward.
Bracing herself, Katherine leaned forward and quickly kissed him on his cheek. With lightening reflexes his hand went up behind her head and, as she drew away, pushed her face hard into his, lips on lips. His other hand grabbed her buttocks and pushed her hips against him. She realised bullying gave him the sexual excitement he needed. She needed somehow take control of the situation. Catching her breath she tried to pull back and huskily said, ‘That wasn’t so bad. Not as bad as I thought you’d be. You must have kissed lots of women.’
Karl looked flattered. Surely he didn’t really believe Katherine could desire him? He relaxed his grip slightly. ‘Yeah? I ain’t so bad, eh.’
Katherine’s thoughts bounced around in her head. She let her body relax, trying to think what to do next as she retreated from his relaxed grip. The very thought of being so close to him nauseated her; his lust made her cringe. By her actions was she encouraging him or gaining time?
Suddenly an animal-like snarl brought her back to reality. ‘Whassa matter, eh? Ya ain’t changed ya mind ‘ave ya, eh?’
Katherine knew then that she had to do what was necessary to escape this horrid, evil man. ‘No, I just lost my breath for a moment.’
He reached forward, grabbed her brutally and pulled her towards him. ”Ere, ‘ave some of me whisky. Take a swig, that’ll fix ya breath.’
‘No thanks, I don’t drink liquor.’
‘Don’t drink liquor?’ Karl mimicked her again. ‘If I says take a swig, ya take a fuckin’ swig, unnerstan’? If I says jump, you says, ‘how high.’ Unnerstan?’
He thrust the bottle toward her. She put it to her lips and delicately took a sip. He gripped her jaw, squeezed
her lips together and forced the bottle into her mouth.
‘Drink up, bitch. Good for ya.’
The bottle hurt her teeth as he pushed it hard into her mouth. The liquid flowed unimpeded into her mouth. She couldn’t swallow fast enough. Rivulets of whisky ran from the sides of her mouth and down her chin. Karl removed the bottle. Still holding her head, he forced his mouth over hers and pushed in his tongue, even as she tried suck in a breath to recover. He released her with a push.
She coughed and spluttered, and he laughingly said, ‘Don’ waste good drink, bitch, ya’s spillin’ all down ya front.’ He was staring at the damp patches on her dress. ‘Better git that orf, eh? C’mon. Dry ya-self, eh?’
He rubbed his hands across the damp patches on her breasts. ‘C’mon now, dance and jump, bitch, eh. Jump for Karl!’
She forced a tremulous laugh and nervously asked, ‘How high?’
The effort of a joke failed as he snarled at her, ‘As high as ya fuckin’ can, ya bitch. An’ ya can start now.’
Her mind raced. She had one last card she could play. ‘I know what you want, Karl. Maybe we can do a deal?’
‘A deal? What kind a deal?’
‘You want to …’ she hesitated, it was so hard to descend to his language. ‘You want to fuck me, right?’
‘Too bloody right, I do.’
‘Well, this is the deal. If I let you, will you go tonight? Go and leave me and the children here? Or even leave now and we stay here and wait for rescue? I promise I won’t say anything to anyone about you. Is it a deal?’
Karl frowned. No woman had ever offered before. ‘No. I don’ need ta make no deals with ya, bitch. I can do bloody what I like an’ there ain’t nobody an’ nothin’ ta stop me. So I can fuck ya anyways.’
‘But, Karl —’
He stood and Katherine was horrified to see his genitals squeezed between the top of his shorts and his lifted singlet. His glistening, erect penis pointed at her like a malevolent weapon. He looked ludicrous. But dangerous.
She backed away but with he grabbed and twisted the neckline of dress. ‘But nothin.’ Ya gunna jump, an’ dance, an’ suck, an’ fuck, bitch.’ He forced to down to her knees. ‘Now, tell me ya want me ta fuck ya.’ Karl pulled her hair painfully back so tears sprung to her eyes. He pinched her breast.