Masters stood and closed the door to the passage then turned to Cardilini. ‘Edmund’s killer left the .303 rifle, one he had previously taken from the school armoury, placed across two branches on the tree from which he fired.’ Cardilini rose slightly from his chair in surprise. Masters continued, ‘At the tree’s base he placed a pair of army boots. The display was to draw attention to the punishment Edmund enjoyed delivering.’

Cardilini started forwards, Masters held his hand up to halt him. ‘The killer wanted there to be no doubt why Edmund was killed. Have you found any mention of those objects?’

‘No.’ Cardilini shook his head, amazed.

‘Someone removed them from the tree,’ Masters said.

‘Where did you get this information?’

‘I had a phone call. I didn’t recognise the voice. He just wanted me to know what really happened.’

‘And you believed it?’

Masters cast his view around and looked back with sad eyes and gave a gentle smile.

‘So, if it’s true, who removed them and why?’ Cardilini asked, ‘To protect the killer?’

‘No. The killer didn’t believe them to be incriminating,’ Masters stated.

Cardilini tried again. ‘To protect the school?’

Masters nodded. ‘It would appear so. Who was first on the scene?’

‘Superintendent Robinson and Deputy Commissioner Warren attended first.’

Cardilini considered the corpse’s arrival at the morgue. And the fact he was assigned to the case. Did Robinson and Warren believe he would sign it off as an accidental shooting just to get out of there? Case closed. And why didn’t he? Because he reacted to what he saw as privileged arrogance. He was jealous, envious, had a chip on his shoulder. He had behaved the same way when arriving here this evening.

‘So he was shot from the school?’ Cardilini asked part in disbelief but with an overwhelming feeling of, I was right.

‘That’s what I was told.’ Masters returned to the couch.

‘For God’s sake, come and sit here.’ Cardilini stood smiling and chose another lounge chair and sat.

‘Thanks. Getting old.’ The chair seemed to shrink when Masters sat. ‘I was hoping you might be able to tell me if it was true.’

Masters’ eyes pulled at Cardilini. He wants it to be true, Cardilini thought and answered, ‘No rifle or boots were found.’

Masters’ nodded as if he expected that to be the answer.

Cardilini said, ‘I believe a student is at the bottom of the accusations designed to stop me finding out what happened.’

‘Mossop?’ Masters asked distracted.

‘No, a sixth form boy, Carmody.’

Masters looked at his watch. ‘We will have to have that cup of tea.’

‘You know Carmody?’ Cardilini probed.

‘Of course.’

Cardilini persisted. ‘Well?’

‘A very capable young man.’

‘Why is he protecting the school like this?’