‘I don’t know. It happened.’ Saunders turned glass-eyed to Cardilini.

‘You didn’t say exactly how the rifle and body were found,’ Cardilini said quietly.

‘Didn’t I?’

Looking away from Saunders Cardilini said quietly, ‘No.’

‘So, what’s the point of this?’ Saunders snapped.

‘Just questions.’

‘What will the super say the point is?’ Saunders asked as if prepared to rise and make the call.

Cardilini took a deep breath. ‘He’ll say, “Tell that fat copper to get in his car and get back to Perth.”’

‘Good thing I didn’t ring him.’

‘I appreciate that.’

‘Still. What’s your point?’

‘Earlier this year a boy from the same school hung himself.’

‘Shit,’ Saunders said and shook his head. ‘Country boy?’ he asked.

‘City boy.’

‘Bloody hell. How old?’

‘Nineteen. His parents found him. He’d hung himself from the back verandah.’ Cardilini said slowly. Shaking his head, Saunders spat some tobacco from his lips. Cardilini continued. ‘Last year another boy, same school, died in a single-car accident on a straight country road he knew well. A country boy. There were no signs of braking before the car hit a large tree.’

‘You think there’s a connection?’

‘All three were cadets at the school where complaints and rumours existed about an abusive teacher,’ Cardilini said.

‘What sort of abusive?’ Saunders asked lightly.

‘Sexual abuse.’

‘Shit. You bullshitting me?’

‘No,’ Cardilini replied.

‘So, what? Are you building a case?’ Saunders asked

Cardilini watched as Saunders stubbed out his cigarette vigorously on the verandah. ‘The teacher was shot,’ he said.

‘Dead?’ Saunders looked up sharply.

‘Yes. Accidental shooting the report reads.’

‘Sounds like a good outcome to me.’

‘I believe other boys could be at risk if the denial by the school continues.’

‘Cardilini, I won’t be changing the report.’

‘I’m not even thinking that.’

‘Good,’ Saunders acknowledged, then volunteered, ‘I think the Sheppard boy shot himself.’

‘Bloody hell, Saunders, why didn’t you say that?’ Cardilini stormed.

‘Get stuffed, Cardilini. It’s a report, not a speculation. That’s the coroner’s job,’ Saunders returned, equally strong.

‘Was the body found beside the firearm?’ Cardilini calmed and asked.

‘Yes. But I knew Colin. I played footy on the town team with him. He was too sensible. The body was found on a rise that looked out on the southern paddocks. It was beside a tree stump, a tree stump that makes a good seat. He wasn’t a clumsy, or a careless boy. He was a good kid.’

‘Did you tell the coroner?’ Cardilini asked.

‘I answered his questions. He didn’t ask me what I thought.’

Cardilini stubbed his cigarette out and flicked the butt towards the dead lawn as Saunders had done. ‘What do the parents think?’ he asked.

‘You’re going there, aren’t you?’

‘Yes. In about an hour,’ Cardilini answered.

‘Ask them. I didn’t have the heart to,’ Saunders said.

‘They read your report?’

‘Yes. The dad, Mo Sheppard.’