‘Deaths by suicide at St Nicholas College in the last six years.’

‘Are you serious?’ She asked aghast.

Funny response he thought and answered with a firm, ‘Yes.’

‘It’s not that simple,’ Dr Young vacillated. ‘For a death to be classified as suicide there has to be a coroner’s finding stating such.’

‘Okay. You’re the person to see, though?’

‘I suppose. It’s only a temporary position. I’m a lecturer at the University of Western Australia.’

‘So what do you do?’

‘We do have a record of all coroner’s findings here.’ She gestured to a series of filing cabinets lining the wall on her right.

‘How many?’

Still staring at the filing cabinets, ‘I’m not sure.’

‘Can I go through them?’

‘I’m not sure.’ Dr Young hadn’t moved.

‘You have a reason?’ Cardilini asked, trying to appear patient.

‘I don’t think it’s for public release.’ She walked to a cabinet and pulled at a drawer, it was locked.

‘I’m not public.’

‘No, of course not.’

‘You do have a key?’ Cardilini asked. Dr Young looked lost.

‘Who filed them?’

‘I’ve just shifted in here.’

‘Who filed them?’

‘I don’t know. Perhaps Mrs Pass.’

‘Where’s she?’

‘She’s . . .’ she waved her index finger towards her right.

‘That way?’

‘Yes. I’d better show you. You’re a detective?’

‘That’s right. Detective Sergeant Cardilini.’ Cardilini heard the impatience in his voice.

‘So this is an official request?’

‘That’s right,’ Cardilini measured out.

Dr Young walked past Cardilini, opened the door and walked to the right.

The clacking of her heels as she walked down the corridor told Cardilini that at least she knows how to look the part.

To the right an open area appeared where six women sat, each at a desk with a typewriter. Dr Young walked to the desk of a woman in her fifties with dark, grey-streaked hair held neatly back by an ornate hairpin. She had a full figure, rounded features and clear brown eyes.

‘Mrs Pass, excuse me, please.’

Mrs Pass shifted her steady eyes to Cardilini.

‘This is Detective Sergeant Cardilini. He’s from the East Perth Central Police station. And he has an inquiry about the records kept in my office.’

‘Yes?’ Mrs Pass asked without shifting her eyes from Cardilini.

‘I want to track down any suicides of students at a particular Perth college.’

‘Mmmm. That could be possible.’

‘Really?’ Dr Young asked in some surprise.

‘It will take some time,’ Mrs Pass said.

‘I’ve got time,’ Cardilini said looking at his watch knowing he had no time.

‘My time. I’ve maintained those records for fifteen years. I’m the only one who will go through them,’ Mrs Pass said leaving no room for doubt.

Cardilini turned quizzically to Dr Young who appeared a little upset and gave a slight shrug. ‘That would be the case, then,’ she said coolly.