Cardilini inspected the door. It didn’t appear to have been tampered with. ‘What made Braun think there might have been a break in at the armoury?’ Cardilini asked.

‘I didn’t know he thought that,’ Robson replied.

‘Surely he would have told you.’

‘I’m on the academic staff,’ Robson shrugged and opened his tin box to push some cigarette butts around before selecting one. Cardilini watched this for a spell then offered one of his own, which Robson accepted. Cardilini lit both their cigarettes.

‘What did you do immediately after discovering Edmund?’ Cardilini asked.

‘I rang the principal.’

‘Not the police?’

‘No.’

‘Not an ambulance?’

‘What would’ve been the point of that?’ Robson asked.

‘What happened when the principal arrived?’

‘I followed the boys to the rowing shed. They went about their business. Then I took them back to the dining hall. They all had bacon and eggs. A special treat for the rowers. Captain Edmund usually joined them.’

‘And then?’

‘The principal asked me to stand guard at the top of the stairs. Your colleagues had arrived by then.’

‘When did the school find out?’

‘Morning tea, the teachers were told.’

‘Told what?’

‘A stray bullet struck Captain Edmund.’

‘How did you feel about that?’

‘I’m not sure what you’re asking,’ Robson replied.

Cardilini moved on, ‘Then what happened during the morning?’

‘You arrived and tried to push us around with your swearing and belligerent manner,’ Robson replied evenly, looking at Cardilini.

‘That didn’t get me far,’ Cardilini said with a glance to Salt. Salt was taking notes. ‘Got that, Salt?’

‘Yes, sir.’

Robson butted a half-smoked cigarette out and placed it in his tin box, ‘The principal has that list of boarding staff and students you wanted. If we may go back?’

‘Sure,’ Cardilini answered.

*

‘No one knows where Captain Edmund kept the keys,’ the principal informed them, ‘which is a concern. However, here are the lists you asked for. I feel I must guide you so you don’t waste your time or that of the staff and students.’

Cardilini scanned the lists, ‘Fine. Let’s see. I’ll speak to Mr Abbott. Jot that down, Salt. And students? A sixth former, Carmody. Jot that down, and second former, Mossop.’

‘I wouldn’t waste your time with Mossop. I know the boy. Not very bright. Can be troublesome.’

‘I’ll try and manage.’

‘Pick another,’ the principal suggested.

‘No need.’

‘Make sure you take notes, please, just in case the parents should inquire,’ Braun said.

‘I’ve my own personal dictaphone.’ Cardilini gestured to Salt.

‘Very well. Miss Reynolds will show you the room to use.’

SIXTEEN

Day 4

St Nicholas College

11.35 a.m. Wednesday, 28th October 1965

The room had an adjoining wall to the principal’s offices and windows that opened out onto the cloister beside Miss Reynolds’s office. Cardilini noted someone could, if they so desired, sit below the windows and eavesdrop on any conversation taking place.

Cardilini turned and said, ‘Keep an eye on those windows, Salt, we don’t want anyone listening in.’ Salt and Mrs Reynolds shared a brief glance.