Susie pushed it the rest of the way open and sat up.

“Thank you for staying quiet.”

She blinked at him groggily.

“Where are we?”

“On a back road. Let me help you out. I have bought us something to eat. And water.”

He held out his hand, but she waved it away and started to climb out.

“I can get out. You didn’t have to put me in the trunk. I would have been quiet. I just wanted to go to the bathroom.”

She was slow and a little shaky.

“You might have been recognized.”

Her ponytail was coming loose. Backlit by the interior light of the car he could see wisps of her hair hanging in the air.

“I really need to go.”

He shut the trunk and looked around. There was still no sign of traffic. Within a few metres of the shoulder were the first trees of a forest.

“You can go here.”

“Where here?”

He walked over to the passenger door, opened it and leant in to retrieve the tissues from the glove box. He shut the door and locked it.

“Behind a tree. I will do the same.”

“Like, no.”

He walked around to the driver’s side and rolled up the window, took the keys from the ignition and locked the door. The car was dark now. It was almost invisible on the side of the road.

“You would rather soil yourself?”

“I would rather a bathroom, with a toilet.”

“It is still many hours until we get to the house. Have you never been camping?”

“No.”

“Not even as a child? I thought you grew up in the country. On a farm.”

“Yes. But I didn’t like it.’

Genghis pulled out some of the tissues and held them out to her.

“Here. Take these. I have to go to. We will both find a tree to pee behind. It will make a nice story for your memoirs. Peeing in the woods with your kidnapper.”

She was quiet.

“I have to do more than pee.”

He pulled out more of the tissues.

“Me too. Here you take the box, I will take these. We will shit in the woods like bears. Come on.”

She took the box. He started walking towards the trees. She followed behind him, going off at an angle.

“Do not go far.”

“I don’t want you listening.”

“I do not want to hear.”

The ground on the edge of the forest was thick with low plants, seedlings and fallen branches and there was very little light. Genghis stepped gingerly, feeling his way in. There was no need for a tree. He trod down a small patch and then stood silently, facing the road, which looked bright through the trees. Off to his right he could hear Susie moving through the forest. She swore loudly, then there was silence as she stopped walking.

He dropped his pants and squatted down.

“Genghis!”

“What!?”

“I!…just wondering where you were!”

“Hush!”

This was madness. Amateur games. The plan had gone so smoothly and now everything was clumsy and difficult. Drunk and confused, but sober. This wide circle, avoiding the freeway and highways was going badly. No. It was okay. In a few minutes they would be moving again. The petrol gauge was a minor problem and he caught it in time. Susie resisting his instructions was the real issue. I have scared her now. She will behave. If not, I am prepared now. I am sure it will not come to that.

He wiped and stood up. The forest was silent, except for the calls of insects. She was not trying anything.

“Susie!”

“What!?”

“Are you ready!?”

“Almost.”

“Say when!”

He waited. A car sped past their position. He smiled. Their luck was improving. She must be wishing she had not wasted so much time now. She could have been out there on the road.

“Ready!”

“Head back to the road!”

He waited for her to move. The trampling sounded like it was heading in the right direction. He started towards the road. The sounds of them moving through the undergrowth were confusing. Was she going deeper into the forest? He paused and listened. No, she was rushing. He hurried to the edge of the forest and looked down the road. She had emerged even further away and she was already to the edge of the road.

“Susie!”

She looked at him and then ran across the road and into the trees on the other side. He sprinted after her, keeping his eyes on the spot where she ran in. He pulled up at the edge and listened. Nothing. She had stopped somewhere inside. There was a flashlight in his bag in the car. She would run deeper as sooner as he moved away. She could probably see his silhouette against the road.

“Susie! Don’t do this.”

In the silence he heard a soft mewling.

“Don’t cry Susie. I am not going to hurt you. I am sorry about earlier. I was desperate. I did it only to scare you. I would never hurt you. We were in danger of being seen there. I am sorry. I could not think of anything else to do. Please come out.”

Out of the corner of his eye he saw car lights. He stepped into the forest, his shoulder up against a tree, looking inwards so his face would not catch the light. The wash from the headlights illuminated the trees and Susie started crying for help. His stomach clenched and he looked over his shoulder. The car whipped past, windows up, the rhythmic sounds of loud music leaking through the glass and metal into the night. He watched it until the lights disappeared. In the forest he could hear Susie crying.

“Come on out, Susie. It will be okay. I am not angry. I just want us back in the car.”

“I can’t. There’s a ditch or something in here. I think I broke my ankle.”

He grabbed his bag and climbed out, but did not close his door. Let her think I am close by. He set up the pump and surveyed the station and the freeway. noone  was paying attention to him except the camera fixed to the overhead carport thingie. From a car in the adjacent lane he could hear a radio announcer but the volume was too low to be intelligible. Probably more talk about the bombing. By the morning, if not sooner, surveillance images of them leaving the hotel will be circulated. Perhaps from the car park as well. If they find it they will play it over and over again to burn into everyone’s mind how he stood there watching and waiting for the bombs to go off. Susie’s shock will also be recorded. They will see that she did not know.

The pump clicked off, the tank was full. He returned the nozzle to its place. No cars were pulling in. He walked over to the store, leaving the car door open. He did a lap of the inside before picking up a couple of large bottles of water and a fluorescent six pack of energy drinks. In the car section he added a can of puncture repair, a coil of green nylon rope and a roll of silver, heavy duty tape to the pile in his arms.

The counter was clear. He laid out his purchases on it. The cashier was a young man in his early twenties who looked bored. His skin was almost luminous under the fluorescent lights. Genghis grabbed a selection of gum packets from the rack on the counter threw them into the coil of rope. A small picture of Susie on the cover a magazine caught his eye. The caption read “Inside: Susie Bordelle’ wild night in LA”. He grabbed it and added it to his pile. It might distract her for a while. A great idea. He grabbed two women’s magazines at random.

“Pump 15.”

The cashier looked out over the forecourt at his car and pressed a few buttons then started scanning the items and putting them in plastic bags.

“Sir, I am going to have to check your bag.”

Genghis looked out at the car. It was far away, no-one was around it, Susie was in the trunk. His bag would have been safe there. Or he could have left the gun under the seat. If she started shouting he wasn’t going to shoot anyone. Maybe himself. No, he would flee. They would be too confused to follow. They would call the police. I would release her. Drop her beside the road with her purse and drive off. I would need another car straight away.

“Sir? I have to check your bag.”

Perhaps he can be talked out of it.

“Is it really necessary? Do I look like a criminal?”

“It’s nothing personal, sir. It’s company policy.”

“You have cameras everywhere in here. You were watching me, you saw I have not even touched my bag while I have been in here.”

“Listen. I don’t think you’ve stolen anything, but if that camera up there doesn’t show me looking in your bag I’m not going to have a job tomorrow. Understand my situation?”

Genghis looked back out at the car. A red van pulled in off the freeway. Someone in the diner was laughing. He smirked at the image of himself running to the car, waving his shiny pistol in the air.

He lifted his bag onto the counter and pulled it open. The cashier peered inside then looked up at Genghis. There was a long moment of staring in each other’s eyes. The cashier’s were blue and bloodshot. He started nodding.

“I’ve seen a lot of that today.”

He returned to packing Genghis’ purchases.

“Most of the time I could go a week without seeing a gun in someone’s bag, but today it seems like everyone is carrying. Even a few women. That’s eighty five fifty all up.”

Genghis took the roll of cash from his pocket and peeled off two notes and handed them over.

The cashier kept talking.

“I can understand them being nervous after the bombing, but who do they think they are going to shoot? The bastard who did it is already dead. Here’s your change.”

“He might have friends.”

The cashier snorted.

“Suicide bombers don’t have friends, only targets. You have a nice night now.”

“Thank you.”

Genghis grabbed the two plastic bags of supplies and walked around to the diner. A young girl in a t-shirt stood behind the display case of sandwiches.

“Hi. What can I get you?”

Genghis shrugged.

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Well, we have these sandwiches which you can see, but we also have a range of hot meals that we cook for you fresh. They are listed on the menu board right up there.”

I should be getting back to the car. I have been gone too long. Is she vegetarian? No, she said nothing about his steak.

“I will just take some sandwiches. Three of the ham and three of the chicken, please.”

She wrapped them up for him.

“Would you like any drinks with that? Coffee?”

“No that will be all. How much?”

He paid her and walked back to the car. There was no noise coming from the trunk. He threw the bags on the back seat and climbed in. He slammed the door shut. Now she knows it is almost over, that I will shortly let her out. He started the car and pulled out of the station and onto the highway. He took the exit they had come in on, returning to the unlit back road they had been traveling along earlier. He traveled along a short way, looking ahead and in his mirrors for the lights from any houses or cars. Except for his headlights, and the occasional reflector attached to a road side post, it was dark. He pulled over and took the gun out of his bag. Did he really need it? He slid it deep under his seat. He popped the trunk and got out.

1. Be yourself
2. Lift with your knees

“I was listening.”

“There is nothing new. They are just talking, keeping people listening.”

“I liked listening.”

“Were you waiting to hear yourself pronounced dead?”

“No. Yes. Or they might say they saw us leaving.”

“Not yet, but soon. The old man also thought it was a suicide bombing. That is how they are reporting it.”

“What old man?”

He smiled at her.

“That’s right, you slept through his visit. A nice old man stopped to see if we needed help. He told me he would like to see me hang.”

“So would I. Did he recognize you?”

“No. He spoke of the suicide bomber on the news. Do you really want to see me hang?”

“Yes. You’re a terrorist. You blew up a hotel and killed hundreds of people. I would love to see you hang. I would stand in the front row and cheer.”

“Even though I saved you?”

She was quiet for a moment.

“Yes.”

“And President Murzak?”

‘What about him?”

“He has killed thousands of people.”

“I don’t know anything about him so I can’t say.”

“Let us imagine…”

“No. I don’t want to hear some carefully constructed example designed to show my hypocrisy. You blew up a hotel, you killed hundreds of people. End of story.”

What am I doing? Am I looking for forgiveness from her? She cannot give it. I do not want it. Do I want thanks for saving her life? She is my captive, she has nothing to thank me for. She probably does not believe that she will live. She is hoping that she will.

“I’m thirsty and I have to go to the bathroom.”

“We will take care of it when we re-fuel the car.”

“How soon is that?”

“At those lights up ahead.”

After racing through the dark, slowing down to the village speed limit felt like walking speed. There were a dozen houses and a little shop almost identical to the one in the last town, including the single pump out the front. It’s lights were out and the windows were shuttered. Genghis thumped the steering wheel. The station on the freeway was going to be much more dangerous.

I should put her in the trunk, but I have nothing to tie her with. As soon as I walk away from the car she will start to make noise, to thump on the lid and cry out. I must convince her not to.

Just as quickly as they entered the tiny village, they left. A road sign pointed to a turn off to re-join the freeway and a small town straight ahead. He pulled the car off the side of the road.

“Why are we stopping?”

“This next town, I did not want to buy petrol there. The man knows me. He is very nosy. He will want to know why I am driving such an old car. He cannot see you.”

“I am not going in the trunk.”

“I will let you out as soon as we are out of his sight.”

“No. You cannot make me do it.”

He twisted around so he was facing her and spoke in a low voice.

“Susie, do you think I mean you harm?”

She watched him closely.

“I don’t know yet. I don’t trust you. I don’t know you.”

“You will have to trust me on this.”

“I am not getting in the trunk.”

“I can only ask you one more time.”

She crossed her arms.

“No.”

He checked the rear view mirror. There were no cars coming and the village could no longer be seen. There were no house lights to be seen. He popped the trunk.

My wife would be ashamed.

He turned the car off and took the keys out of the ignition, then he grabbed the gun from the bag and got out of the car and walked around to the passenger door, unlocked it and opened it. Susie was perfectly still. He leant in and unclipped her seat belt. It zipped back out of place.

“Please get out.”

She shook her head so he reached in and grabbed her far wrist and pulled steadily. When she resisted he dug his thumb into the flesh between the bones. She let herself be dragged from the car onto the weeds beside the car.

“Ow. Ow you’re hurting me!”

“Get up.”

“Ow! My wrist! Help! Help me!”

He pointed the gun and pulled the trigger. The retort covered the sound of the bullet burying itself in the ground next to her head, but the retort itself, and the thump of the bullet’s impact transmitted through the earth to her bones silenced her.

“Stand up.”

She stood up, but would not look at him. He led her to the trunk and pushed it open. He shoved the carrybag into a position where she could use it as a pillow.

“Get in. You can use the bag as a pillow.”

She climbed in and lay curled on her side, her arms wrapped around her purse. She didn’t resist when he took it from her, nor did she look up at him.

“I am sorry. This, this little play also makes me sad. Maybe I need to remind myself that I am your kidnapper, nothing more.”

Susie stayed silent.

“Shortly we will arrive at my friend’s station. I do not want to hurt him. Sometimes at night his little daughter comes and sits with him before she goes to bed. I do not want to hurt her either. Please do not make any noise.”

He closed the trunk, pushing it shut instead of slamming it, then he walked around the car, shutting her door on the way back to the driver’s seat. He put her purse behind his seat and the gun back into his bag.

The freeway turn-off appeared around the next corner. He was lucky they were not seen.

The petrol station was large, glass and brightly lit. It had four sets of pumps and inside the cashier was visible and, branching off to the side, a diner with a few people seated at its tables. As he arrived a couple of cars pulled out, the owners of two more were filling up. Three more cars were parked around the entrance to the cashier.

He steered the car behind the pumps furthest from the building and cut the ignition. He wondered what she was thinking.

He took off his sunglasses and slid them into his bag. The shadows were getting too dark and numerous. He was maintaining the proper speed limit. The petrol gauge still showed a full tank. That could not be right. Had they been cheated out of a few dollars worth of gas? Tapping the glass of the dashboard had no effect. The shoulders of the road were narrow strips of dirt. He waited for a long straight and then slowed down and pulled off the road as best he could. He hopped out and opened the cover and took the cap off. Peering in told him nothing. He could smell it, but not see it. The ground was littered with thin twigs. He found the longest one he could and fed it into the tank and pulled it back out again. The bottom inch or so was wet. What did that mean? How far could he drive? Not as far as he had to. They would have to stop and buy more petrol. If they could make it to the next petrol station. They had passed one half an hour ago. There had been a small cluster of houses, a store with post office signs and a single pump out the front. Turn back or keep going? Forward was the safest direction. The map he had memorized only had roads and distances, not petrol stations. There was a turn-off coming up ahead. Perhaps there would be another store with a pump.

A battered work truck came down the road from the direction they were heading and pulled up next to them. Genghis had been deep in his thoughts and was taken by surprise. They did not need this. The driver, an old man, his face dark and weathered from working outdoors, rolled down his window and leaned out. Genghis could hear the radio in the truck’s cabin. It was playing news about the hotel.

“Everything alright?”

The old man had a stronger accent than he did, vaguely germanic. He walked over to the truck, putting himself between the man and Susie. His bag was still in the car with her.

Another mistake. I hope she doesn’t wake up.

“Petrol gauge is broken. Just found out. Is there a petrol station nearby?”

“Sure, sure. The way I’m heading, there is one about half an hour. You would have passed it. Back that way,” he pointed a thumb down the road, “about twenty minutes. Might be shut when you get there. Another ten minutes and you can get back on the freeway and there is an all night one right there.”

“We will keep going this way. Thanks.”

“No problem. You been listening to the news?”

Yes, its terrible.”

“Unbelievable. They’re saying it was a suicide bomber. That’s a pity.”

“Why a pity?”

“There’s nothing left to hang.”

“Good point, but I’d say he already got his punishment.”

The old man gave him a harsh look.

“Punishment? He felt nothing. He left hundreds wounded, and thousands will be grieving. If I was religious I could be thankful he went straight to hell, but I’m not so I’d rather have someone to hang and I’d hang him slow, give him time to think about what he done.”

“That is fair.”

“Sure is. Sorry about the gabbing. It’s got me all worked up. Have a pleasant evening.”

The old man pulled his head in and drove off. Genghis watched the truck until it disappeared around a distant bend. He had been avoiding thinking about the consequences of being caught. The old man had painted a grim picture, but the reality would be worse than a simple hanging. They would take him somewhere secret. Some of Murzak’s men would be there. No-one would ever see him again.

He kicked at a small rock in the road. There was a scuff along one side of his right shoe. When had that happened? Running through the corridor in the building behind the Boulevarde? His clothes – he was still dressed in the same clothes he left the hotel in. Maybe the old man didn’t notice. Why would someone dressed like Genghis be driving such a beaten up car. He must get changed before he attempts to re-fuel the car. Yet another slip.

Susie was still asleep when he reached in to pop the trunk. His bag sat on the floor in front of the driver’s seat. He could see directly into it and the shine of the gun. He grabbed it and went around to the trunk and took the clothes out of the carry all. The pants were too short. The pair of work boots was a little too big but wearable. He swapped his shoes and put a checked shirt on over his black t-shirt, then put his shoes back in the carry all and closed the trunk. He unlocked each of the back doors in turn and set the child safety latch so they could not be opened from inside.

Susie was looking around disoriented when he climbed back in.

“What’s happening? Why are we stopped?”

She took off her glasses and dropped them in her lap and rubbed her eyes.

He settled his bag back down on the floor against the seat and started the car.

“The petrol gauge isn’t working. I had to check see how much was left. We will make it.”

“That’s a pity. You’ve changed your shirt.”

“Yes. I thought it might be a good idea.”

“What about me? I’ve been wearing this track suit all day.”

“No women’s clothes. There is a pair of trousers, but they may be a little loose on you.”

“What colour are they?”

“Beige.”

“No thank you. Can I put on the radio?”

He put the headlights on and the car into gear and took off down the road.

“Briefly.”

The same station they had left the radio on was still broadcasting news about the bombing. Genghis was relieved to hear them speak about it as suicide bombing. The police might know different by now, but as long as the public was not looking out for them there was a chance that they will make it to the safe house. Kidnapping a famous actress was stupid. Even if she tried co-operating anyone could recognize her.

The press was yet to receive the guest list for the Boulevarde, but it was a famous hotel with a famous clientele. Politicians, actors and sports stars, as well as designers, writers and artists regularly stayed at the hotel, famous for its grand Victorian architecture and its recent refurbishment overseen by the world renowned designer…

He switched it off.

“Okay okay. I’m getting out.”

They walked around to the passenger door. Genghis unlocked it and opened it for her. The vinyl on the passenger seat was torn and showing yellow foam. She gave him a look but chose to take her seat in silence. Genghis returned to the BMW and gave it a quick look over. They had left nothing behind. He shut the door and triggered the locks. Using the same magnet he had taken from the new car, he placed the keys for the BMW up under the back wheel arch.

“It doesn’t smell very nice,” she said as he took his seat.

“It has been here for a while. Once we open the windows it will be better.”

The car started first go. The engine sounded good. Only the exterior had been neglected.

“This smell will never go. But there is one thing I like about this car. Two things.”

Her mouth was in a small smile.

“What are they.”

“Guess.”

“We have no time for games.”

“It’s really obvious.”

“I don’t care what you like. Now remember…”

“You will care.”

“Really? Tell me, what will I care about?”

“Look.”

She started rolling down her window.

“Manual windows, and no central locking. You will have to be nice to me now.”

“Or I will have to be mean. Or I could tie you up.”

He reached across her and pushed down the door lock, then he twisted and twisted the lock until it came completely off, leaving only the tip of a thin screw visible.

“There. I do not have to tie you up yet. Now close the window.”

“But it’s stuffy in here.”

“Once we are on the road you can open it. Remember. You do not want to be recognized.”

“I keep forgetting, like for a second, what a fucked up situation this is, but as soon as I do you are right in there, reminding me. Thanks.”

As they drove up out of the car park the man still had his back to them, spraying water over the plants. Perhaps he knew. Perhaps it was his car space being rented out for these exchanges. Whenever an unfamiliar car pulls in he hides his face, refusing to be a witness. It is not blood money if you do not see the blood. I wonder if he will watch the news tonight. If he sees the BMW will he make the connection, will the bombing of the Boulevarde be enough to make him act, to report what he knew? It did not matter. There were so many things to go wrong, there was no point in imagining new ones.

Susie applied lip balm. She was a little calmer now.

“Where to now? Or is that another one of your secrets?”

“We are going to a house some distance from here. We will not arrive until late tonight.”

“Do I get to meet some of your terrorist buddies? Your ‘cell’?”

“The house will be empty, everyone will be gone. When we are there I will make some phone calls and I will find a way to see that you are released safely.”

“You could do that right now.”

“To see that you are released safely and that I too am safe. Maybe both of us can get home.”

“What are the chances of that?”

“You – very good. Me – very poor.”

“I guess you can’t just hop on a plane.”

“No, I cannot.”

Genghis rejoined the main road and continued to head away from the freeway. They would stick to the smaller, older roads.

“So how are you going to get back to Ruzekhistan?”

“It will take a long a time. Maybe a year, maybe more. If I tell you any more I cannot let you go.”

She nodded slowly.

“You said you were supposed to be dead.”

“Yes.”

“Won’t your terrorist friends be surprised when you call them?”

“They will not be expecting it.”

The call will not be easy. It will scare them. They will be angry but they will not abandon me, despite the failure to kill Murzak. There will be other battles. I will ask to return home. Placing the bomb in the hotel will have earned me that. None of the others could have succeeded. So I lived. I will tell them I knew Murzak was not in the hotel. I had watched him leave. There had been no point in continuing with the arranged meeting with his people once the police arrived. I will go back to Ruzekhistan and hiding in the mountains. Murzak’s State Guard was a respectable target, unlike anonymous foreigners. There is no remorse in fighting them.

He took a left onto a smaller road. The buildings on either side began to thin out. Vacant lots began to outnumber the buildings, then the lots started to fill up with trees and the road lost its straightness and began to follow the sides of hills and then there were only trees along the road. The only buildings to be seen were houses placed a good distance off the road, up dirt and gravel driveways. The traffic had disappeared. It was very late in the afternoon and the sun was shining low through the trees, throwing their shadows across the road. At times the car would swing around a bend and drop into the shadows as the hills blocked out the sun.

Susie’s head was leant against the window. Her hands were tucked into her armpits and her legs were drawn up under her. He spoke her name but she didn’t move.

She sleeps. That’s good. All that champagne has worn her down. And whatever else she had from that pillbox. These back roads wind and return on themselves. It will take so long. The freeway would have been much faster. I would never have convinced her to stay on the floor. I should have just tied her up and covered her with clothes. There would have been no further co-operation from her. After that anything else would require scaring her, hurting her. I did not save her so I could beat her later.

What do I care about her? The failure of this flight. The bomb is enough to carry. Keeping her from harm will not undo anything. At least it will not add to the terrible events of today. I do not want any more innocent blood on my hands. Killing the lambs will not stop the wolves. Shepherds against wolves. How did the dogs come to outnumber us? It was so quick. She talks like she is unafraid. Does she believe I will not harm her? She has been very compliant, but still tries thing. Like grabbing her purse. I must check to see what she has in there. I hope she does not try anything, it would be a pity if I had to bully her.

“Where are we going?

“It’s not important.”

“Do you really think I am going to tell someone? Is that what you’re worried about? Who am I going to tell? Hey?”

“We are going to change cars. This one has been seen. In the car park, on this freeway. We are going where there are no cameras, to where a car is waiting for us.”

They left the freeway. The exit took them down an off ramp and to a set of lights strung across a four lane road. Genghis turned right. The road was flanked by tired buildings with bleached or chipped signs advertising automotive and manufacturing services. In some of the buildings open roller doors showed people at work inside. There were no pedestrians to be seen. In a used car yard, under blue and white bunting, a sagging, grey-haired couple was being led between worn-out cars by a limping salesman.

If we hid out here long enough, if they did not find us for decades, that would be us, sneaking out to buy a getaway car when we had finally been forgotten.

“That wasn’t so hard, now was it? Will your terrorist buddies be there?”

I should not have saved her. I was a coward, hiding behind her. I should use the gun. I promised I would. Every minute, every movement is increasing the risk for everyone. I just want to get back home.

“We are not terrorists. There will be no-one there.”

“I think you are all deluding yourselves. You think you’re revolutionaries, and you tell everyone you’re revolutionaries, but you act like terrorists. Actions speak louder than words, therefore you are terrorists.”

“Your logic is unassailable.”

“I know.”

“Then let us please not speak about this anymore.”

This talk, her words, or was it the aftermath of the failed mission, something was raising up the sadness he thought had settled. He steered them through the streets, slowing to a crawl as he made the last turn into the block the apartment building was on. The street was empty of cars. He nosed into the driveway and stopped. The gate to the car park was open. An old man in overalls, the caretaker perhaps, was uncoiling a hose in front of the plants on the passenger side of the entrance. Susie spotted him and sat upright. Genghis stopped the car and spoke in a low voice.

“Susie. Look at me Susie.”

She turned her head toward him. He reach into his bag and pulled out the gun far enough for her to recognize what it was.

“I am not doing this for myself, I am doing this for others who are involved, people I have made promises to. This is not an opportunity to escape or call for help. It is unfair and wrong, I know, but if that man that you see recognizes you I will have to kill him. I will not be doing it for my safety, but for the safety of others. Do you understand me?”

She nodded.

“The car we are changing to is inside that car park. You will stay in this car until I open the door. Understood?”

She nodded again.

“He may follow us in. He may want to make conversation. I will handle that. I repeat, this is not an opportunity to escape. Whether or not that man returns to his family tonight is up to you.

“I fucking hate you.”

“You must act like you don’t.”

“I don’t think I can do that.”

“You are a marvelous actress. You can do anything. Now keep your head turned towards me, like we are talking.”

He started the car moving. He kept his attention forward, but watched the man in his peripheral vision. Susie slid her hand around the back of his headrest and leant her head back against her own, her face towards Genghis. I wonder if her eyes are open. I wonder what she is thinking about me right now. It can only be getting worse. It cannot be helped.

They glided forward and into the car park. The man remained engrossed in the task of watering the plants and paid them no attention. Genghis swung the car around concrete pylons and in the back corner saw a car that fit the description. It was an older model than he expected, and in worse condition. He pulled into the parking spot next to it, turned off the engine and sat for a minute, looking out the back window, waiting to see if the old man appeared.

“Can I stop acting now.”

She was still leaning against her headrest. He pulled on his bag.

“Yes, but no trouble.”

He got out and walked around the new car. There were patches of primer on the driver’s side. He reached under the wheel arch of the back tire and found the promised keys attached by a magnet. So far so good. He opened the trunk of the car. Inside was a cheap, square nylon carry bag like you could find anywhere in the world. Inside the bag were the clothes, the phone and the gun along with two boxes of bullets. There was also a small roll of money wrapped with a few twists of a thin rubber band. He transferred the phone and money to his own bag and zipped up the carry bag.

Glancing at the BMW he saw Susie lean into the back seat. Two quick steps and he had the back door open and grabbed the handle of the purse. There was a brief tug-of-war then he pulled it from her grasp.

“I said no trouble.”

She scoffed at him.

“I just wanted an aspirin. I have a terrible headache. I have a pillbox in there. It’s gold, antique, that’s all I want.”

He peered inside. Nothing looked like mace. He took out the pillbox and put it in her outstretched hand.

“Your purse is going in the trunk of the car. Is there anything else you want out of it?”

“Lip balm.”

He pulled out a small glass tub.

“The other one. Black, red sticker on the lid.”

“Done?”

“Did I remember to bring moisturizer?”

He snapped the bag shut and threw it in the trunk of the new car and slammed it shut. It bounced open. He slammed it again and it latched.

He went to Susie’s door. The man had not come down into the car park. He opened her door. She was chewing and drinking water.

“Come.”

“I like this car better.”

“If you like it that much I could leave you here, tied up in the trunk.”

“For you. For me it will only cause trouble. Dead, today would be a failure of fate. Alive, Murzak’s survival and his coming revenge will be my fault and my fault alone.”

“But he wasn’t even in the building.”

“I should have acted sooner.”

“But you didn’t know.”

“I should have known. These are how the answers will go”

Her voice was small when she next spoke.

“Are we going to stay alive?”

He reached over and patted her knee.

“Yes we are.”

“Are you going to let me go?”

“I mean you no harm, Susie. I will let you go. Things have become complicated and it may take some time to find a solution, but I will let you go.”

“Can I let my mother know I am okay?”

“I cannot let you talk to anyone. Any call from any phone to anyone you know will tell the police where we are.”

“You can’t do that. You have to let me call her.”

“I cannot.”

“She will be worried sick.”

“Not for long.”

“What is that supposed to mean? Not for long?”

“Today or tomorrow they will find the remains of your phone. That was my mistake. But that does not matter. There are cameras everywhere. In the hotel, in the car park. They will find us.”

“So they know I’m alive. They’re going to think I helped you. If they had cameras in the hallways they would have us putting your fucking suitcases in that room! Everyone is going to think I am part of this! That I’m a terrorist like you!”

“I am not a terrorist. And there were no cameras in the guest hallways. The phone will convince them you were kidnapped. When they interview your mother they will inform her you are still alive.”

“And everyone else?”

“Do you care?”

“Of course I care. And I was in talks for a new role. My first decent offer since the airport thing and you and your terrorist buddies have ruined it for me.”

“We are not terrorists. Be thankful you still have the breath to complain.”

“Be thankful? I would not be having this conversation if you and your terrorist friends had decided to stay in your own country instead of coming over here to bomb the Boulevarde and kill hundreds of innocent people. Blowing up hotels. Killing hundreds of innocent people. That makes you a terrorist in anyone’s language.”

“This is not terror. This is political. No, it is more than that. It is a part of the fight for the survival of our country.”

“Fight in your own country! Why bring it over here? Why kill us?”

“We had no choice. In Ruzekhistan it is impossible to get near Murzak. Here, we can stay right next door.”

“And killing us is easier than killing your own, right?”

“You have already killed so many of us, with your support of Murzak. You sell him the weapons he kills us with. For free you give him information about who and where we are so he can find us.”

“So this was revenge on us, too? The people on the roof, around the bar, the bartender, they’ve been killing your people?”

“You know it is not like that. It was not revenge.”

“What was it then? A bonus?”

“A necessity of war. But Murzak was not killed and now your country will demand he hunts us down and they will help.”

“I hope you do get hunted down.”

“Then you better hope they don’t find you with me.”

“They will know I’ve been kidnapped. It doesn’t matter if they do.”

“If they find me there will be gunfire. I will not be able to protect you from your own people.”

“Are you planning on using me as some kind of shield?”

“No. I will not be hiding behind you. Some times, in the confusion, mistakes get made, the wrong people get shot. Even girls dressed in pink.”

“You are making it sound like a threat.”

“I am not threatening you. Let’s stop this talk. It does nothing but upset us.”

“Fancy that. On the run after bombing a hotel and we are a bit upset. I think that’s fucking normal.”

He raised his hand in the air.

“Can we be silent for a little while? I must think about what to do.”

“What is there to think about? Pull over and let me go.”

“I cannot let you go yet. We must be further away; things must be put in place, so it is safe for both of us. Please. If we are to survive this we must not make any mistakes. I must think this through.”

“Alright. Silence. I’ll just stare out the window.”

She reached over behind his seat for her purse and he grabbed her arm.

“No.”

“I just want some lip balm.”

“No. Have some water.”

“What’s the harm?”

“Leave it. Now please: silence. And put your sunglasses back on. I do not want you being recognised by someone in another car.”

Susie put her sunglasses back on.

“This is a frikkin a nightmare.”

“Please.”

“Can I at least listen to some music.”

Genghis did not reply. They were flying through the outer suburbs of the city now. The freeway was rising and falling. Sometimes they were driving above blocks of sprawling suburbs, then they would dive and the houses would disappear behind the high concrete walls built to keep out the noise. There would be an exit soon that he could take, and in a non-descript street there was a red brick block of flats, tall enough to warrant an underground car park. In one of those parking spaces sat a plain car, dark blue except for a few spots of primer on the driver’s side, its keys hidden up under the back left wheel arch. In the trunk of the car they would find clothes, guns and a phone. They would change cars and some time tonight this BMW would disappear, taken back by the man it was purchased from, to be broken down again into parts to be re-assembled into new temporary cars.

The necessary exit sign appeared overhead and he started changing lanes. Susie sat up. Had she fallen asleep? Behind those glasses it was impossible to tell.