‘Yes. Yes. Yes. But how?’

‘You making a pot of tea?’

‘Yes.’

‘I won’t stay. I have to do some thinking. I won’t take the car. I’ll walk.’

‘Can I take the car?’

Cardilini gazed at Paul for some time before answering, ‘Yes. The academy is a long shot. Don’t mention it yet.’

‘But is it even a possibility?’

Cardilini ignored the question and said, ‘I should be home for dinner. Maybe. But you go ahead and eat.’

‘I’m going to Aunty Roslyn’s. But I’m not telling her you’ll be coming.’

‘No. Good idea,’ Cardilini said and walked out of the kitchen.

FOURTEEN

Day 3

Reabold Hill

7.00 p.m. Tuesday, 27th October 1965

Cardilini stood in a spot he and Betty had found on Reabold Hill. They would stand hand in hand and watch the sunset across the top of the scrubby banksia and wattle trees. It was here, standing beside Betty, away from the tangle of human misery that was his working life, where he had glimpsed wonderment.

Now, a defiant sun resisted its fall to the horizon. It was the first sunset he’d witnessed here since Betty’s passing. After her death he’d wanted to swear denouncements to God and now figured he was close enough to be heard, even though he questioned His existence. But if there were such a character listening, Cardilini silently informed Him of what he thought of His grand plan in general, and in particular, what he thought of Him taking Betty. To ensure his message gained attention, if there was any attention to be gained, he liberally peppered it with expletives. Cardilini wondered when anyone had last spoken to the great man in such a way. But doing so gave him a sense of relief, and he smiled at the passion with which he delivered the reprimand to someone who probably wasn’t even there. Even so, he couldn’t help adding, Betty was an angel on Earth and you’d better take good care of her until I get there. He wiped away tears from his eyes as he watched the sun blinking through the gum trees.

Gum leaves, a dirty dark-green during the day, became brighter and then, as the sun sank, glowed gold. The trees became dark-waving silhouettes before disappearing altogether. The moon was yet to rise so Cardilini stumbled his way back along the path.

Kilkenny Road

8.10 p.m. Wednesday, 28th October 1965

As he walked along his street he recognised one of the brass’s unmarked police cars outside his house. A knot formed in his stomach. It had been an unmarked police car that brought Paul home that time. Every fibre in his body told him to walk away and go to the pub, drink a calming pint before returning home. But, as if wading through waist-high mud, he continued along the footpath to his house. He noticed, with some relief, that his car was in the garage.

Robinson got out of the unmarked police car and stood in front of Cardilini.