Vanishing Point

  ‘Ouch! That’s sore, please Karl, let me —’

  ‘Garn, I’m waitin’.’ He pulled and pinched harder. The pain was excruciating.

  ‘Please, Karl. I —’

  He gave another tug and her neck felt as if it were breaking. ‘Say it, bitch. Say it.’

  ‘I want it.’

  ‘Whadda ya want?’ Another pull.

  ‘I … I want you to … to fuck me.’

  ‘That’s better.’ He suddenly pushed her away so she sprawled backwards in front of the chair. He sat, stretched his legs out, picked up the bottle and grinned. The cigarette bobbed on his lip. ‘Come ‘ere an’ git started’ bitch, or we’ll go git ya kid ‘ere and she can show ya how.’

  Katherine had nothing. She was out of cards. She crawled towards him.

  I t was the final week of Shelly’s time in London. Alec had shown her the sights and introduced her to his friends. The time had flown. To start the visit Alec took her to the Palace Theatre to see ‘Jesus Christ, Superstar.’ It was the first of many West End shows and dinners the couple shared.

  For the final week Alec and Shelley moved into the venerable Regent Palace Hotel in Piccadilly, once the largest hotel in Europe.

  ‘It’s quite appropriate for us,’ Shelley said as she unpacked her case.

  Alec looked up from his own unpacking.

  She explained. ‘Being so close to that statue. You know, Eros, the Greek god of love?’

  ‘But it’s not Eros.’ Alec put down a folded shirt, his face turning serious. ‘It’s Charity, a Christian angel.’

  Shelley grinned. This was the stickler she was going to marry. Before he could impart more information, she silenced the discussion with a kiss.

  The couple dressed and left for the last show they could squeeze into their break.

  * * *

  The faint sounds of morning traffic woke Alec. The grey dawn light was creating a weak halo around the heavy drapes of their room. He turned to look at Shelley, still asleep next to him, her dark hair spread across the pillow. He leaned across and planted a kiss gently on her partly open lips. Under the kiss she woke and smiled sleepily. His returned grin allowed her tongue entry. Very gently he sucked at her lower lip before raising himself on his elbow, lifting the sheet to reveal Shelley’s naked torso. He ran his finger from her forehead down her face, across her nose to her neck, pausing briefly beside puckered lips to have the tip kissed. Alec leaned forward and kissed the inviting mouth while his hand continued its southward journey to her breast.

  ‘Morning.’

  ‘G’morning, sweetheart. This is a great way to be woken!’

  ‘Mmm.’

  Shelley lifted herself and gently pushed Alec back on to his pillows before straddling him. She kissed his mouth passionately. ‘I love you,’ she mumbled in a husky, sotto voice.

  ‘I love you, too.’ Alec stretched up and gently fondled her breasts, squeezing them close together so her erect nipples could be gently, simultaneous kissed.

  Shelley moaned quietly. She slid down his taut body, kissing his chest, belly. He groaned with anticipation. Sitting upright she slowly guided him into her.

  ‘I don’t have any condoms left,’ Alec whispered hoarsely.

  ‘It’s all right. We can’t stop now.’

  ‘But what if you get pregnant?’

  Shelly gave him a sexy grin. ‘This old lady ain’t getting any younger, remember?’

  Alec didn’t argue. His logical mind was overwhelmed by the concentrated pleasure suffusing his entire body.

  He groaned as Shelley’s hips started a slow, rhythmic rotation against him. He reached up and caressed her breasts. Time and space had no meaning for either of them: they were aware only of the sensations completely filling their being.

  An explosion of pleasure raced through Alec’s body as he gave a few final upward thrusts while Shelley, with closed eyes, steadily rocked against his hips. He arched upwards then collapsed under her, a rag doll under her continuing movement. Her pace quickened then she paused, still, her face focused with intent. Her face flushed she cried out, ‘Yes! Oh, Alec, yes, yes, yes!’

  Alec squeezed her thighs and watched her orgasm track through her body. She fell on top of him, her head between his neck and shoulder, her hair tickling his face. He gently stroked her back and narrow waist, delighting in the shape of her hips.

  She sighed. ‘Alec. I love you, so much.’

  They lay together. He hardly felt her weight on him.

  A sudden knock on the door interrupted their peace.

  ‘Who the hell is that?’ Alec manoeuvred himself from under Shelly. ‘Yes, hang on a sec,’ he shouted at the door. Pulling on a hotel gown, he went to the door.

  A young man in hotel livery stood holding a silver salver, on which lay a small envelope.

  ‘Yes, what is it?’

  ‘Sorry to intrude, sir. I have an urgent message. It was telephoned through a short while ago.’

  Alec picked it up the envelope with a curt, ‘Thanks.’

  The bellhop hesitated just long enough to hint that a tip would be welcome but too brief as to be impolite.

  Alec was not in a generous mood. He closed the door quietly, returning to sit on the edge of the bed.

  ‘Who on earth could be sending me urgent messages here? I only mentioned it to a few people at the University. In case anything urgent came up.’

  ‘Oh,’ Shelley said, sitting up and tucking the sheet around her body. She looked at him expectantly while he opened the unsealed hotel envelope and read.

  The colour drained from Alec’s face.

  ‘What is it?’ Shelley asked, sitting bolt upright. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘It’s from … well, just read it,’ Alec croaked. He passed Shelley the note neatly typed on hotel paper. Shelley leant towards him, took the paper and read:

  Alec:

  Telegram from Australia arrived at office early today. Seemed urgent so took it on myself to open and phone. Important news regarding your wife, Katherine.

  Please call ASAP — urgent.

  It was signed by Jack, the colleague who shared Alec’s office.

  ‘There must be some news about Katherine. I must phone Jack at once. Come on. Breakfast can wait.’

  They sat on the bed while Alec dialled Jack.

  ‘Hello, Jack? I’ve just got your message. What’s the news? …

  What?’ Alec sounded incredulous. ‘When? How? … Both of them, Carolyn and Katherine … Petri … No!’

  Shelley listened. Even with only half of the conversation, she could follow. Thoughts swam. Finally Alec would know the truth. But what about her? What would this mean for their relationship? Their future? Will Katherine still love him? What happened to her? What will Alec do? Her myriad of thoughts were interrupted as Alec put down the phone.

  His face was ashen. ‘Katherine’s been found. Apparently an urgent telegram arrived for me from WA. Because it was urgent Jack opened it. It’s from Petri. According to Jack, the telegram says Katherine and Carolyn are alive and okay but are prisoners at some old CSIRO research station or something near Kalgoorlie.’

  ‘That’s wonderful news, Alec. Your wife and daughter are alive. But prisoners —’

  ‘Petri’s contacted the police in Kalgoorlie. But the telegram didn’t say if they’ve been freed or what has happened. There’re no details.’

  ‘Oh, my God! And Petri? That’s amazing! It’s been so long!’

  ‘Shelley, we must get to Perth as soon as possible. Find out what’s happening. I’ll get on to the airlines straight away.’

  ‘I understand. We’ll go at once. Oh, my darling, you must be so pleased.’ Shelley embraced him and he her. She felt his wet cheek against hers and she did not know what to say.

  P etri watched the lights in the main building. He had been listening to voices but they had died down. He had no idea what was happening. Petri looked at his watch. It was nearly three in the morning. He was freezing, in spite of his
parka. He rubbed his hands together.

  The lights flickered and the generator spluttered to a stop. Silence descended on the entire area.

  In the pale moonlight he saw a figure emerge from the main building and dart towards the side building. He was about to get up when he saw torchlight moving around, casting flickering shadows. He couldn’t tell who was holding the torch. He shrank back. The light disappeared from the veranda. Petri waited. After a few minutes the torchlight reappeared and Petri saw Katherine staggering towards the gates. She was carrying a heavy burden, not easily identified in the dark.

  ‘Are those the children, Katherine?’ he asked quietly.

  ‘No, just Carolyn. Here. Help me,’ she whispered. Petri took the sleeping girl. During the transfer Carolyn woke and immediately wanted to get down.

  Her mother said, ‘Keep quiet. Don’t make a sound. Stay with this man and start walking quickly. We’re going to leave here but you must be very quick and very quiet.’

  Petri put the child gently on the ground.

  Katherine said, ‘I’m going back to get Isaac. Won’t be long.’

  Carolyn, used to obedience, simply stared at Petri. ‘Do you want me to carry you? It might be quicker.’

  Carolyn shook her head. She was very nervous of men.

  ‘Right then, let’s go. Fast as we can, eh?’ Petri hadn’t walked more than a couple of cricket pitch lengths from the gate when he heard Katherine running after him.

  ‘Come on, quickly. Let’s go as fast as we can,’ Katherine said breathlessly. ‘Carolyn, let the man carry you, it will be much quicker.’

  Petri scooped the little girl into his arms and resumed his half jog towards where he’d hidden his vehicle. He counted off the flagging tape markers as they passed each one.

  ‘What happened to Karl?’ he asked.

  ‘Later. Let’s just get the hell out of here.’ Katherine’s words came in staccato blasts, her lungs working overtime as she maintained the steady pace along the track.

  They reached the Toyota. Katherine wrapped the children in blankets. Isaac had not woken, but Carolyn was wide-eyed.

  It was only the third time she had been so far from the compound in her entire life. Katherine climbed into the passenger seat, lifted Isaac on to her knee and put Carolyn’s head on her lap. She was shivering when Petri started the vehicle.

  ‘Don’t worry, once we get going the heater will kick in and you’ll soon warm up.’

  ‘I’m not shivering with cold,’ she chattered back. ‘I’m scared. We must go.’

  The engine burst into life and the pleasure of hearing the distinctive reverse gear noise as they backed out of the bushes and on to the track was beyond words.

  ‘So, where’s Karl?’

  ‘He tried to rape me. I just lost it and managed to knock him out. I hit him so hard. I might have killed him.’ She started to cry. ‘He stank. He was drunk. His fingernails were so filthy.’ Of all the horrors, Katherine knew she would never forget his fingernails.

  Petri glanced at her. ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘I have to get away from this place, from him, from Benjamin, from this nightmare and get the children away and —’

  ‘Shh. Don’t talk any more. Let’s just get the hell out of here.’

  With the lights on full beam they put as much distance between them and the Factory as they could.

  They drove in silence for a while.

  Suddenly there was a bang and the vehicle swerved sharply.

  Petri fought the wheel, bringing it back on to the track and to a shuddering, bumping stop. ‘Damnation! Burst tyre.’ His put his palm to his forehead. ‘That’s my second flat!’

  ‘What’s that mean? What do we do?’ Katherine was already looking over her shoulder.

  ‘No choice. Have to repair it, if we can. Otherwise I can fix the spare. Depends on which is more damaged. Better move it. Can you hold the torch?’

  * * *

  Karl rolled over from his supine position on the floor. He felt groggy and his head hurt. He felt his scalp. Caked blood had matted his hair. Like a movie played in slow motion, the events of the previous night came back. He stood up shakily, rubbed his eyes and staggered out on to the veranda where stood on the edge of steps and urinated into the sand.

  How good it had been telling that bitch what to do and she’d bloody well done it. Jumping, seeing those tits bounce around until he wanted more. She tried to talk him out of it, but he was the boss. No woman was going to mess him around any more. The more she suffered and cried, the more he enjoyed it. Then it struck him, the memory of how he sat waiting for her. He saw her crawling towards him, crying and defeated.

  Then something went wrong. What was it? He recalled the pleasure of watching her nakedness and humiliation. He so enjoyed watching her pathetic show that it was only at the last minute he saw her hand reach out and grab the bottle he’d left close to the chair. He couldn’t believe this crawling bitch’s lightening move.

  In disbelief at what she’d done he started to stagger to his feet when a second blow struck him on the temple. That was the last he remembered; that and the sound of the generator sputtering to a standstill. Darkness descended on the buildings as he simultaneously faded into unconsciousness.

  ‘That aint gunna ‘appen again.’ He spat in the sand. ‘I’ll keep the bitch an’ teach ‘er a lesson.’

  Karl went across to Katherine’s room. He opened the door and stepped into the dark interior. ‘Wakey, wakey bitch. Ya gunna pay for that. Hittin’ me ain’t very nice now, is it?’

  Silence greeted him.

  He felt his way across to the bed. He leaned forward, feeling with his hands. Empty.

  ‘Where the fuck is ya, bitch? C’mon out. Ya can’t ‘ide from me. I’ll find ya.’ Karl went back to his room to dress. There was no hurry. The one thing he knew how to do well was hunt.

  * * *

  Weak, pre-dawn light made the shadowy shapes of the surrounding bush form an army of silent ghosts, waiting to engulf the group around the Toyota. Petri was working fast to repair the damaged tyre. Finally he stood and said, ‘That’s it. Fixed.’

  He gave the wheel nuts one last turn then threw the jack into the tray. ‘Let’s go.’

  Even as he spoke Katherine pointed down the track and cried out, ‘Look! Look!’

  In the grey morning light they saw a vehicle. The array of bright lights meant it could only be Karl. There were no other possibilities.

  ‘Quick, get in. Hurry!’

  They scrambled into the vehicle. The still-warm engine fired into life and Petri started off down the track. By now Karl was only a short distance behind.

  Keeping one hand on the wheel he leaned back and took hold of his favourite toy, his loaded Lee Enfield.

  ‘Reckon I kin git the bastard, jist like a fuckin’ ‘roo.’

  He pulled down the knob on the right of the dashboard and felt the accelerator respond under his foot. Once the hand throttle was fixed in the bottom notch it was on full and he had free movement of his body. Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, he swung the door open. The vehicle maintained a reasonably straight course, although it bucked across the uneven track surface. This was Karl’s skill, years of practice chasing fleeing dogs and kangaroos in his speeding vehicle. He half stood, hanging on to the steering while with one hand and raised his rifle over the swinging open door. He took aim at the outline of the driver’s head in the vehicle in front.

  There was a bang and a cloud of dust exploded off to the right of the Toyota.

  ‘He’s shooting at us!’ Petri increased the speed. ‘Keep the children down.’

  Katherine spread her body along the seat, covering Isaac and Carolyn.

  Petri glanced in the rear-view mirror. Petri turned his full attention back to the road.

  The rifle fired again.

  Karl cursed, muttering to himself, ‘Gotta git closer.’ He knew he had another ten shots but he couldn’t afford to waste them. He increased speed, clos
ing the distance between the two vehicles.

  A lec and Shelly settled into their seats. After a few checks, the airline ensured they were given seats on the first available flight, flying via Singapore to Perth. They found themselves unexpectedly sitting in first class on the upper deck of the Boeing 747B. The rush of departure had left little time to talk. Now, as the adrenalin decreased, they felt a degree of anticlimax, made worse by the uncertainties of what lay ahead.

  Shelley was unhappy with herself. She felt guilty for feeling selfish. She knew in her heart she should be pleased that Alec, after all this time, had news of his wife. And good news. She glanced at Alec. He was staring straight ahead, obviously engrossed in his own thoughts. She quietened the questions revolving in her head. They would either go unanswered or be answered with the passage of time. Instead, she looked out the window. As the aircraft climbed to cruising altitude, there was nothing to see but blackness and the reflected regular flash of a red light against the wing.

  * * *

  The glass of the back window shattered, scattering fragments over those cramped into the front of the speeding Toyota.

  Katherine screamed as a hole appeared in the windscreen.

  ‘Keep the children down.’ Petri shrunk lower in his own seat and put his foot down even harder on the accelerator.

  By now the vehicles were rapidly approaching the tee-junction where the track joined main Kalgoorlie - Cundeelee road. Petri knew that he would have to slow down to take the sharp turn to the right.

  ‘Katherine, stay down. I’ve got to slow for the turn. He might try and get another shot at us then.’

  The intersection came upon them sooner than anticipated. The sun, glinting off the cracked windscreen, made driving even more difficult, especially at speed. Cold air sucked in through the shattered back window. Petri slammed on the brakes, went into a dry skid and accelerated out of it into the main road. The back of the Toyota swung wildly left, right, then back on course. Carolyn screamed.