‘Correct. Over.’
‘This sounds pretty dramatic. Do you want us to initiate further action, Sierra November Bravo? Over.’ came the crackled question from base.
‘Yes. Urgently advise Kal. and Perth police.’ Petri felt he had to keep his information sharp and short before the reception faded completely. ‘The woman’s name is Katherine Thompson, repeat Katherine Thompson. She was abducted in Ceduna area in 1965. I think she is in danger now that the kidnapper knows I have found her. He is armed and dangerous. Identity unknown. Calls himself Karl. Urgent response needed. Location is the old CSIRO research station northeast Cundeelee, Queen Vic. National Park. Over.’
The receiver repeated the information back to Petri, before continuing, ‘What are your plans? Over.’
‘Not sure. I’ll stick around near here to keep an eye open. Will open radio contact in morning and advise position. This Karl is armed and threatening. Over.’
‘We’ll give your calls priority. Take care. Over and out.’
Petri put down the microphone.
* * *
‘Fuckin’ bloody stoopid idiot.’ Karl was fuming. He had just finished listening in to the evening telegram service of the RFDS on his vehicle two-way radio. It was another reminder of his dependence on Benjamin.
He stormed into Katherine’s room. She was sitting on the floor reading a book to Carolyn. ‘Git up ya fuckin’ bitch,’ he shouted aiming a kick at her. The book went flying. ‘An’ stop ya bloody snivelling, kid,’ he yelled at Carolyn who now cowered behind her mother. Isaac was asleep on the bed and remained so in spite of the shouting.
Katherine recoiled against the wall, pushing Carolyn behind her. She could not understand what had caused this latest out-break of fury, unless he’d found out about her note.
‘Ya know what that fuckin’ idiot’s done? He’s fuckin’ told the whole fuckin’ world I kidnapped ya. So, tell me bitch, how’d he know that, eh?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe he worked it out.’
‘Fuckin’ liar. Ya musta told ‘im. Ya lied ta me, bitch.’
‘No, I didn’t tell him. I hardly spoke —’
‘Now ‘e’s gorn an’ told the fuckin’ cops in Kal. Fuckin’ radio. Probably told fuckin’ Benjamin too if he’s listening. An’ he’s sent a fuckin’ telegram to some Alec bloke in fuckin’ London. Who’s this Alec, eh?’
It was exciting news for Katherine, the first she had heard about her husband for so many years. The information penetrated her fear. London. What was Alec doing in London?
He must have graduated by now and got a job. In spite of the method of delivery, the news of her husband after so long thrilled her and she could not help a smile playing around her lips.
Her note had worked. She had to be rescued now. The police would now know she was alive and where she was. ‘He’s my husband. Alec is my husband. Husband. Not Benjamin, not you, not anyone!’
‘Well, ya can wipe that stupid grin orf ya face, bitch. I ain’t gunna sit ‘round ‘ere waitin’ fa the bloody cops ta pitch up an’ find us. Benjamin’s the one what kidnapped ya, not me. I ain’t taking no wrap fa that. I’m outta here. First light I’m gorn.’ Karl knew he’d find another sucker to act as his front man. It would be easy to pick up his things and leave.
But he had some unfinished business with Katherine first.
P etri waited in his vehicle, hidden behind some grevillea trees, all afternoon. At one point he stood on the roof with his binoculars trained on the horizon. There were no tell-tale wisps of dust floating into the clear sky.
Towards dusk he drove very slowly back along the track, stopping close to a kilometre from the station. He left his precious Toyota as far off the road as he felt necessary to make it almost invisible in the scrub. Before setting off on foot he tied a small piece of flagging tape to a bush on the edge of the road. Every now and again he tied a different coloured piece of flagging tape on a nearby bush.
By the time he reached the perimeter fence it was almost dark. No shadows remained, just the eerie twilight glow of the desert. He crept towards the fence, the sun behind him. Through his binoculars he watched the dogger pack dried skins into bundles while Katherine tied the bundles together. Every now and again Petri could see the dogger shouting and lashing out at her. There was no sign of the children.
He needed to get her without alerting the dogger. The best place would be the dunny. She would have to use the toilet at some point in the evening. It meant go
ing around to the rear of the station and back up towards the fence. With the position of the sun there was a risk of being spotted. However, Karl seemed to be so involved in loading his vehicle that Petri thought it unlikely he would suspect he was being watched. It was worth the risk.
He slowly crawled towards the fence. Karl’s dog lay in the lengthening shadow of the vehicle. Petri hoped he was far enough away to be neither seen nor smelt. With extreme caution he moved forward, regularly pausing. By the time he reached the edge of the fence it was twilight, grading to dark. Near the dunny, his hand on his torch, he settled down to wait, pushing his body low into the loose sand.
Time dragged and his body ached from the supine position. Just when he thought he was comfortable, a small twig or seed-pod managed to make its presence felt. As he moved slightly to ease his muscles he heard someone coming. He froze.
It was Karl. He burped loudly as he walked towards the dunny and disappeared from view. Petri considered this was his chance to make a dash for the gate and get into the compound. He pushed his body up and was about to stand and run when he had second thoughts. Patience. He had no idea how long the dogger might be in the dunny. He could come out just as Petri reached the gate and his whole careful exercise would be wasted. He had no weapons and, in any event, he wasn’t a violent man. He ducked down again just as Karl came out, hitching his shorts. The dogger strolled back behind the buildings and disappeared from view. Petri heard him shouting again, his swearing punctuating his commands.
Eventually Petri’s patience paid off. He heard someone coming and the silhouette against the building indicated it was Katherine. As she approached he briefly shone his torch and whispered just loud enough for her to hear, ‘Here, Katherine, here, over here.’