‘Detective, I’m a Catholic with very strong beliefs,’ Searle said. ‘I don’t know who Allah is and why they pray to him. I know we pray to Almighty God and Jesus and Mary.’ His words sounded heavy, a deadening force.

‘And did you approach these men, find out what they wanted?’ Manolis asked.

‘No,’ Searle replied. ‘I just stood at the window and watched the three-way conversation unfold. These two men were a very different pair, but they had one thing in common – they both appeared to be arguing with Molly.’

‘Arguing? What were they saying?’

‘I couldn’t hear their words, but the body language was clear. The taller man was gesturing passionately about something and appeared almost angry. He had a sinister face, shifty. The other man tried to talk to Molly, but she wasn’t interested in whatever he was saying and kept trying to walk away. I nearly banged on the glass to shoo them like a pair of stray dogs. After a few minutes, Molly stormed off, walking south towards Henry Street, likely heading home. I was going to give chase and see if she was alright but I couldn’t keep up. Fortunately, the men ended up leaving in the other direction, heading north. Had they followed Molly, I would’ve definitely gone after them, as slow as I am. I watched until they disappeared. I don’t think they saw me.’

Searle paused. Manolis waited. Kerr stopped writing.

‘I was just glad the children had gone home for the day,’ the headmaster added. ‘They didn’t need to see their teacher upset like that.’

Manolis looked across at Kerr. She glanced up from her notepad and nodded gently. It was another lead. Who were these two men? One of them sounded like he would be easy to locate, but the other? And what about the nuisance calls? Manolis needed to find Molly’s phone more than ever. He turned back to Searle, who was again mumbling to his crisscrossed digits, his eyes half-closed.

‘That poor, poor woman,’ he said glumly. ‘Broken by tragedy, our beloved Molly was drifting. The detention centre only opened up after the last town election. And Molly’s job there was an attempt to save her life. Little did we realise, it would only cause her death.’

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

DUSK WAS APPROACHING by the time Searle left the station and returned directly to the top pub. Sparrow escorted him back, insisting on ensuring the headmaster’s safe passage, and complaining of dehydration.

Searle had replied he was ‘in bed sleeping’ when Manolis asked his whereabouts the night Molly died. His wife could verify.

‘Happily married for as long as I can remember,’ Kerr later said. ‘No kids. Maybe that’s why.’

The headmaster had looked aghast when Manolis queried him, offended even. It was a concern that seemed to grow when Manolis added that he would confirm his alibi with Mrs Searle.