188

The controller of KKRC had a pang of conscience at yet another faked story. Still, it was the good news station. And it could happen.

187

Graham Johansson said a few words to the passengers. Some nervous flyers who usually liked hearing the captain speak found themselves growing uneasier but couldn’t put their finger on why.

Emma Heron in 34A smiled and told the person next to her that they were in for a great trip.

The person nodded. He wasn’t convinced, he’d heard some bad things about Birmingham.

Graham Johansson waited for clearance and then took off.

186

Deafening.

Pitch black but for the occasional flashing light.

Runway hurtling beneath.

Wind swirling through me.

The terrifying pneumatic whine of the hydraulics, pushing, contracting. Vast wheels gathering themselves around me.

Burning hot from friction, penning me in, breathing choking rubber fumes into my lungs.

Scrambling away from the monumental mechanism.

Screams merging with the engine wail.

Muffled by the closing undercarriage.

A continuous roar. Darkness.

I endured it. I deserved it.

Up and over the Hudson, circling, wishing I could look down.

Radio transmitting but no sound coming.

185

“. . . a case of new time for the old-timers. Back to Penny Lock.”

184

Green light.

Pause. Too long.

The controller frowned. Thought the Tamy kid had probably hit the wrong button. Tipsy on birthday champagne. Bad bad. Looked amateurish.

183

[small cough]

“Listeners. Um, welcome back. I . . . I have to describe a situation to you. Behind my producer’s window is Tamy. My producer. With her is a young gentleman of average height. White. Who has a gun to her head.”

182

Some taxi drivers shunted each other.

181

The controller’s jaw sagged open.

180

The wind had blown my eyes shut and had frozen the tears so that my lids wouldn’t open. I was glad of that though.

179

Edward felt his heart beating hard and fast. All his organs felt jumpy.

178

“Can she hear me in there?” asked Edward.

Tamy flicked a switch and nodded.

“Hi,” said my brother.

“Hello,” said Penny Lock.

“Hello,” said Ali Bronski.

“You remember me, right?”

No.

“Yes.”

He smiled.

“You sound great,” said my brother.

“Well. Thanks,” said Ali.

177

He’d locked himself and Tamy inside. Tamy wished she hadn’t left the keys in the lock. Her father had arranged basic self-defense classes for her, but they didn’t start till tomorrow.

176

“Shall I switch to some more news?” said Penny.

“No,” said my brother. “Am I broadcasting now?”

Tamy said if she flicked another switch then the producer’s booth would go live.

“Okay, good, do it.”

Tamy went live.

“Okay? Am I on the air?”

“You’re on.”

“Good. Hello, everyone.”

He paused.

“Say hello, Tamy.”

“Hello,” said Tamy.

175

Clara Redlake recognized Edward’s voice and she slowed down to help her think.

This could either be a very good thing or a very bad thing for her.