‘You know Edmund was murdered?’ Cardilini asked.

‘Murdered? I don’t know that. If he was intentionally shot, it was an execution, like Cooke’s, pure and simple.’

‘Only the state can execute a person.’

‘No, an individual executes a person, as directed by a judge, as directed by twelve members of a jury.’

‘Is that what happened?’

‘No. Don’t be ridiculous. We’re meeting at seven, this evening.’

‘I can’t come,’ Cardilini said.

‘It won’t get back to the school, hence, not back to your police department.’

‘How can you know that?’

‘I don’t. I’ve been told that will be the case. I was asked to invite you. It’s not my idea. And I don’t think it’s a good idea.’ She frowned.

‘Who’s asking me then?’

‘Sheppard, probably.’

‘I can’t come.’

‘I said you wouldn’t,’ she continued with a wry smile, ‘they got you into line, didn’t they? I knew you’d be no match for them.’

‘Who?’ Cardilini asked gruffly, knowing full well she was right.

‘The old boys, the establishment.’ Mrs Lockheed turned in disgust and walked to the pavement.

‘Does Robinson know what really happened?’ Cardilini called after her. She shrugged her shoulders without turning and continued walking.

Ashfield

7.10 p.m. Tuesday, 10th November 1965

Cardilini parked 200 yards past the church. He recognised Sheppard’s Chevy Impala. He stood looking at the rectory. Without success, he’d repeatedly told himself that he couldn’t attend the meeting because the risk was too great. He tapped on the door. O’Reilly opened it, nodded a greeting, and gestured him in.

‘What did I say?’ Sheppard announced. ‘I said you’d come, a real bloodhound. That’s your seat.’ Sheppard pointed to a dining chair in front of the kitchen door.

Cardilini looked to the chair, then around the room. The Doneys sat on a sofa to the right of his chair. Neither met his gaze. Mrs Lockheed and Mrs Masters sat in single chairs next along. O’Reilly stood by the front door and Sheppard stood in the centre of the room. Mrs Sheppard wasn’t there, Cardilini noted, and smiled at the fact.

‘Mrs Lockheed,’ Cardilini said as he went to his chair.

Sheppard and O’Reilly took the remaining chairs.

All eyes followed Cardilini as he sat and Sheppard immediately addressed him. ‘Mrs Lockheed said you kept asking about how Edmund died? We don’t care how he died.’

O’Reilly coughed.

‘Apart from O’Reilly, none of us are complaining. Much more important is how do we make sure no one else dies because of that ratbag? Now you mentioned to me that revealing the truth about Edmund, and having the school recognise it, is the best way to support any other boys. Right?’ Cardilini nodded. ‘So that’s what we intend to do. Any questions?’