Vanishing Point

‘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.