‘Fortunately, you were already suspended. And you’re not speaking to anyone without running it past me. Right?’

‘Um . . .’ Cardilini started sheepishly.

‘Cardilini?’ Robinson threatened.

‘What if I could tell you how the shooting was done?’ Cardilini asked.

‘You have evidence? Evidence that will stand up in court?’

‘I don’t have a name. Just how it could be done by people capable and willing,’ Cardilini said.

‘You mean let’s smear a bunch of possibly innocent people to take the heat off you. That would look just dandy. Don’t you think?’

‘Robinson, you can’t hang me out to dry. Not now. What about Paul?’

‘Oh Jesus.’ Robinson sat up facing Cardilini. ‘I don’t know. There are people who could put this on the front page of the newspaper, the department has to be seen as —’

‘Bullshit. Come on. We’ve been fudging for years to cover our stuff-ups.’

‘Shut up, Cardilini. Don’t think you can threaten me.’

‘I’m not threatening you. I’m just saying how it is.’

‘I would have to disagree with you. If the deputy commissioner or commissioner hears that, you’ll be out of the force so fast your head will spin. Got it? This is me, not your super, me, telling you, don’t even think of going there.’

‘I’m not. Of course not. I’m not completely stupid. But what about Paul?’

‘Can we just get over this first?’

‘Robinson, give the kid a break!’ Cardilini shouted.

‘I know. Don’t worry. I know what it means. But believe me, now is not the time to rock the boat.’

‘Oh, Jesus. It’s over, isn’t it?’

‘No. No, I’m not saying that. There are people who don’t appreciate us raking over what Edmund got up to.’

‘Do you believe Edmund was abusing those boys?’ Cardilini asked and waited.

Robinson expelled a breath heavily and answered, ‘I think I do now.’

‘What changed your mind?’

‘Senior Constable Saunders, from Williams, but you know that. He and I were at Kellerberrin together. He rang me. Want to know what he told me?’

‘Yes.’

‘The Sheppard boy gave up footy and going out with his mates shortly before propping a rifle under his chin.’

‘Oh.’

‘Then I got a call from Constable Young at Fremantle. You know him. You could strike a match on him. He thinks the Doney boy drove himself into a tree.’

‘What’re you going to do about Saunders and Young?’

‘Nothing. Their reports were precise. They aren’t paid to speculate. They rang me by the by. They trust me.’

‘You told the board?’

‘A lot of resistance. There’s a group pursuing the coroner right now, and we both know he’ll not specify suicide in his findings. Some bull ant nests you shouldn’t poke at.’

‘Salt told you that?’ Cardilini asked.