Natasha rolled onto her back and blinked up at the metal joists and asbestos roof.
Couldn’t hang herself – no way to get up there, not with this sodding anchor chained around her neck.
Couldn’t poison herself – no drugs, or water to take them with.
Couldn’t drown herself – which was ironic, because if shedidfind a creek, or a billabong, the anchor would drag her down and keep her there. Quick and easy.
...
Could slit her wrists on the rusty bandsaw?
Took a while but eventually her breathing slowed, and the tears stopped. Though that might’ve been dehydration, more than anything.
‘You’re not giving up on me yet.’ Natasha closed her eyes. ‘You’renot!’
59
Five minutes to go.
The park was still jammed, but a whole bunch of people had peeled off for the big top, where Tufty and Kate stood on either side of the entrance, handing out flyers.
Which turned out to be the perfect cover, because no one looked at them twice, not even with the elaborate face paint.
Logan lurked by the ‘Space Killer’ stall – where kids tried to knock a jiggling flying saucer down with ping-pong-ball guns – because it had a clear line of sight to both the big top and the road. So he had a perfect view of Charles MacGariochnotappearing.
A fanfare boomed out across the park, followed by a distorted, echoing voice:‘Ladies and gentlemen, loons and quines, the eight o’clock performance is about to begin, so have your tickets ready and make your way to the big top!’
Logan pressed the talk button. ‘Anyone?’
Doreen:‘West entrance – nothing doing.’
Spudgun:‘Massive steaming bucket of sod-all.’
Biohazard:‘No sign of him.’
Barrett:‘Negative. Repeat: no eyes on target at this time.’
Then silence from the earpiece.
And more silence.
Logan sighed. ‘Are youstilleating?’
Steel:‘He’s no’ here and he’s no’ coming. I vote we spudge off out of it and go home. All in favour?’
‘No one’s going home! He’ll be here.’
Maybe.
But given the show was about to start, possibly not.
LX
Natasha closed her eyes and lay there, on the rough concrete floor.
‘Come on, you lazy bitch: get up.’
But she didn’t.
