‘Detective Sergeant Cardilini,’ Braun pushed a document aside patiently and leant back in his chair. ‘I’m aware you’ve had a bad experience with your son’s progress through education. However, that was not with our school.’

Cardilini sat back, eyebrows raised, a slight smile on his face. Braun continued.

‘St Nicholas College has an impeccable reputation that is guarded rigorously by alumi, present students, parents and staff. A reputation hard won over decades, a reputation that will outlast all our current students and me. You could almost say it’s an unwritten motto “Our school before all else”. You can see it fiercely displayed when the boys play sport or when the teachers seek accolades for our boys.’ Braun paused to determine if his oration was having the desired effect. Cardilini still sat with a slight smile on his face, so Braun continued with confidence. ‘This is not your fault. I’m not blaming you. Your immediate superior, Inspector Bishop, simply failed to instruct you correctly. I believe you’re aware that your superintendent and the deputy commissioner are old boys of St Nicholas, so you can see the serious attention this tragic accident has received.’

The sudden clamour of svoices as students broke for lunch caused the principal to stop his discourse, stand and close a window, before again seating himself comfortably and continuing his ovation.

Cardilini observed him and reflected on the similarity between this principal and the one that had eventually expelled Paul. He imagined them, along with several of his ambitious colleagues, running around with a high-stepping gait holding their hands firmly over their backsides.

‘Cardilini,’ Braun repeated.

Cardilini blinked several times. ‘Yes?’

SEVEN

Day 2

St Nicholas College

12.30 p.m. Monday, 26th October 1965

As the students emerged for lunch, Salt had completed his drawing and was standing by the assigned tree. Boys, staring in open curiosity, slowly walked past. Salt tried to maintain a professional manner and pose but couldn’t convince himself of the logic of Cardilini’s instruction. The tree, obviously, wasn’t going anywhere. Four younger boys, not content with a passing observation, stood directly facing Salt. Salt watched them. After a while they sat down so as to stare while eating their lunch.

Another, and then another, knot of young boys paused and started eating their lunch while staring at Salt. Soon, three older boys sauntered over and stood watching the gathering in disdain.

‘Which one of you little durrs is eating pork? Because I can smell pig,’ one of the older boys said. This received guffaws and laughter from his mates. The younger boys turned their heads passively to observe the older boys before looking back to Salt. Salt reddened with the insult but stood still.

‘Oink. Oink,’ one of the older boys said under his breath to the delight of his two colleagues. Salt reddened further.

The ‘oinks’ continued. Some of the smaller boys began fighting among themselves and rolling on the grass. Salt stood stricken.

‘Get off that grass,’ the command whipped at the group of boys. Salt jumped. Standing on the paving were two boys in grey suits, sixth form students. The younger boys jumped up and ran off along the path. The three older boys, also startled, stepped onto the path.