Sadie’s voice continued. ‘Okay. We’re recording. Dr Robb, can you tell me what you’re doing now?’

June Robb smiled at Sadie, then at the camera. ‘These wires measure stress responses. Increased heart rate, respiration, sweat, that sort of thing.’

‘People’s hearts beat faster and they breathe more quickly if they’re lying?’

‘We’ll see if the subject demonstrates deceptive behaviour. We’ll also see if he does not. You might call this a truth detecting test.’

The camera panned to Sadie, pleased at this development. ‘Yes. Truth detecting. First Dr Robb will ask simple questions to determine Caleb’s base heart rate, blood pressure. Then she’ll ask the questions Australia wants answered.’

Caleb’s face was in view, looking sweaty. The screen broke into two halves. One continued to show Caleb. The second showed a roll of white paper unfurled beneath a row of different coloured squiggly lines. They could have been monitoring an earthquake.

‘Do you know why we’re talking to you today?’ Dr Robb asked.

Caleb didn’t pause. ‘Police say I lit the fires.’

‘Brunton residents, including hardware store owner, Darren Doonan, saw you riding into town away from the ignition point shortly after the fire began. Do you have any explanation for that?’

‘I was thirsty.’

‘Yes or no, please, Caleb.’

‘Well, yes. I bought water.’

‘Church elder Nancy Bailey says you acted strangely afterwards. Have you heard this claim?’

‘She always thinks I’m strange.’

‘Just yes or no, thanks, Caleb.’

‘Yes, I’ve heard it! She’s a cranky old… witch.’

‘Caleb, Mrs Bailey says she witnessed you strangling a wallaby. Is that true?’

Caleb’s eyes widened and his nostrils flared. ‘Well yes… but…’

‘Would you like a sip of water?’

‘I want a break. You said we could stop if I need a break.’

A close-up of Caleb taking a long suck on a metal straw. Somehow, the producers managed to make this look suspicious.

‘Ready, Caleb?’ Dr Robb asked.

‘Yes.’

‘Good. Your friend, Penelope Gordon, says you spent some time with her. Is that true?’

‘Yes.’

‘Were you with her the whole time?’

‘No.’

‘Can you blame people for being suspicious, given your previous history?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I’m talking about Sean Henderson and the negligent driving charge you faced last year.’

Caleb wriggled as if the wires hurt. The graph’s squiggly lines went crazy. Up, down, up, down. Sharper and sharper stabbing moves.

‘I did take a car without a licence. I did hurt Sean.’ Caleb investigated the camera. The frame froze.

Sadie came back onscreen. She hadn’t proven anything, hadn’t even discovered why Caleb came home. ‘Dr Robb, how would you describe the results you’re getting?’

Dr Robb looked disappointed. ‘I’d have to say they’re inconclusive.’

‘Are there actions people can take to evade the truth?’