Katherine was so surprised to see him that she almost tripped over her feet. ‘Oh, you came back. You came back. Oh, my God. You came. I didn’t think you would. If you even got my note I thought you’d go to Kal. and tell the police. But you came back.’ Her soft voice was filled with emotion.
‘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.