‘He wasn’t strictly a captain,’ Carmody corrected.

‘Okay. The falling out?’

‘A dispute over the use of the term, “loyalty”.’

‘Go on,’ Cardilini said and affected an interested expression.

‘He considered loyalty to be strictly defined according to his parameters. I saw it differently. It was unresolvable. He spoke against my nomination for head boy because of it.’

‘Were you bitter about that?’ Cardilini asked tilting his head.

‘Annoyed, rather, that the other staff were bullied by him.’

‘Bullied?’

‘He was loud. Overbearing. Machiavellian. He didn’t like to be crossed,’ Carmody replied.

‘Why did you speak to my constable?’

‘Your presence here isn’t doing anything for the boys’ stability, it’s leading to misunderstanding and speculation.’

‘Are you in the cadets?’

‘I was.’

‘Until?’

‘The disagreement at the end of last year.’

‘Do you know where the keys to the armoury are kept?’ Cardilini asked.

Carmody didn’t answer.

Cardilini continued. ‘How would a team of men breaking the armoury door down suit the stability of the boys?’

‘I can show you where the keys are. It won’t do you any good,’ Carmody replied.

‘Did you know a rifle was stolen?’ Cardilini asked.

‘Was it reported?’

‘I don’t think it was.’

‘Then it wasn’t stolen. I think you will find all rifles accounted for,’ Carmody said.

‘How would you know?’

‘I know – knew – Mr Edmund.’

‘Did you know that from a study of a bullet we could reveal the specific gun that fired it?’ Cardilini asked.

‘But you would need the bullet,’ Carmody replied and then added, ‘I’ll show you where the keys are if you like.’

‘First get Mossop, then show the constable their location,’ Cardilini instructed.

‘Mossop will be worse than useless,’ Carmody said, ‘unless you want to talk to the stupidest boy in the school.’

‘It might be a pleasant change.’

Carmody looked steadily at Cardilini then turned and left.

‘Arrogant prick,’ Cardilini said.

‘Yes, sir. Do you think all the rifles will be there?’

‘Don’t know. But I bet they’ve all been cleaned recently.’

‘Are you developing a theory, sir?’

‘Can’t help it,’ Cardilini replied.

‘How did he know there isn’t a bullet?’

‘One of the boys overheard a conversation. They could’ve even overheard the super. I’ve done it myself. For some reason I thought children didn’t listen or aren’t interested. Big mistake.’

‘I thought he might have it,’ Salt said.

‘That means he would have been the first to the room.’

‘Yes, sir. I wouldn’t put anything past him,’ Salt said looking towards the door sharply.

‘Speculating, Salt? Tut, tut,’ Cardilini said.

*

‘Mossop,’ Carmody announced.

‘Thanks, now go with Constable Salt,’ Cardilini said.

Mossop had a face like a dinner plate. His eyes were wide apart, his close-cropped hair highlighting ears growing like mushrooms from his large head. A broad mouth was forced permanently open by wayward teeth clasped in large steel braces. He stood in the doorway, legs spread like a sailor.

‘Mossop, let’s go for a walk.’ Cardilini walked past Mossop out to the quadrangle and stood on the lawn.