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.

She thought she ought to call the station. Talk him out of trouble. She knew him best. Knew what his buttons were. God only knew what “Frankburg” would say to him.

174

“Do you want to introduce yourself?” asked Penny.

“In a minute. Can I say this is going to be a great day?”

“Um . . . yes.”

“This is going to be a great day.”

“Okay. Good,” said Penny.

“That was good,” said Ali.

“Well, I truly believe it’s going to be a great day,” said Edward. “Don’t you?”

“Yes, I’m sure it’ll work out very well,” said Ali.

“Okay. I’m right here for you.”

“Well, thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

“You’ve got a natural radio voice. Hasn’t he got a natural radio voice, Penny?”

“Um. Yes.”

“See? Penny agrees with me about your natural radio voice.”

“Thank you.”

There was a pause.

“Do you want to introduce yourself now?” said Penny.