John Heron was being escorted through KKRC’s building toward Penny Lock’s studio. It was still the news break. Penny okayed him. She was reluctant at first but Ali had pointed out to her that he would know what happened to Beth on the bridge. Penny liked to update her listeners and told reception to show him up right away. Edward followed. Reception thought they were together.

197

I was shown into the wheel housing. From apartment to undercarriage was a very slick operation. There was even a little ladder to help me over the wheels. I was surprised that Michael could be associated with such an effective outfit. I would’ve thought he’d have botched it. I asked what I was supposed to do with the duck tape. The guy shrugged. “Tie up a duck?” How was that for service? A little joke even under these circumstances.

196

Michael stopped outside a telephone box. He didn’t think he’d been followed but accepted he wouldn’t have a clue one way or the other.

He dialed a number in the United States and finally persuaded a man to tell him the names of that night’s SmuggleAir passengers. All passengers were paid up and aboard.

When he heard “Stephanie Wiltshire,” Michael kicked the telephone box till the glass smashed.

Yobbo, thought a passerby.

195

Emma heard the last call for flight SA109 to Birmingham. She picked up her bag and posted the envelope containing her hair and nail cuttings to the morgue. It was easier if she thought she was already dead. She made her way to the gate. Hobbling on her silly shoes.

194

John asked the production assistant if he could do some magic on the radio. She told him it probably wouldn’t come across too well.

Did either of them want to check in their coats? John said yes, the other guy said no. Even though he was sweating.

193

As the news played, Penny and Tamy were drinking Tamy’s birthday bubbly in the corridor. Someone popped a little indoor firework and gave Tamy a birthday kiss. Penny and Tamy thought the newsreader was an asshole; they’d both met him once, he sounded great on air, but when he wasn’t following a script, Jeez, he could bore you to—

“John, hi, how are you? Nice to see you. I meant to say it was lovely having Emma to stay. This is Tamy, it’s her birthday.”

“Happy birthday.”

192

Beth had chosen the highest vacant room at the Hotel Monumental.

The windows opened a bit but not enough to jump out of, even if she wanted to. The hotel had been jumped out of many times in the 1980s so it changed the design of all its windows. But Beth didn’t want to jump out. She just wanted to look at the view.

“What do you think of fire, Dan?” she asked.

“Hot.”