The grandmother of Penelope Gordon, former girlfriend of the suspected Brunton arsonist Caleb Wharton, yesterday made an appeal for people to understand Penelope’s position.

‘Penelope has been harassed by community members who know about her relationship. People need to remember that her parents also died,’ she said in a statement distributed by Victoria Police.

The grandmother, who does not want to be named, said Penelope has been involved with Wharton since they were in high school together. ‘But Penelope is also a valued community member with plans to begin university next month,’ she said.

‘We fear her mental wellbeing could be jeopardised by the current publicity.’

A photograph of Penelope holding hands with Wharton appeared onscreen during In Australia Tonight. Although she was not named, Penelope was clearly identifiable. Her grandmother said Penelope has been threatened and bullied online as a result.

‘Penelope is an innocent young woman who has already lost too much,’ her grandmother said. ‘We understand the community is looking for answers but Penelope is suffering too. She deserves to get on with her life in peace.’

Wharton, an unemployed eighteen-year-old from Brunton, has identified himself as a suspect in the Brunton fire. Penelope insists he was innocent; however, she also admits she was not with him during the time in question. Caleb recently failed a televised lie detector test.

The media ambush continued, the radio murmuring beside me in the kitchen while I finished reading. ‘The suspect is within his rights to demand to know why the investigation is taking so long,’ a woman’s voice said.

I froze, shocked. Someone was taking Caleb’s side?

‘We always have to question fire investigations,’ the woman continued.

Brock Shepherd’s voice broke in. ‘We’re talking to University of Melbourne arson expert Millicent Marbury. And Dr Marbury, in relation to this case, you’re saying the evidence can’t be trusted?’

‘I’m saying there may not be any evidence. We’ve had investigations by the fire brigade, the police and insurance companies.’

‘And you say no one has really found anything?’

She sounded older, and very professional. ‘The sheer number of investigators is a problem. There’s no chance of finding footprints. And it’s always difficult to know if fires were caused by lightning strikes or downed powerlines.’

I pulled out my own notebook, now stuffed with newspaper articles and transcripts. To my own notes, I added another line. Contact Millicent Marbury. Outside, Caleb was still scrubbing the wall. A television cameraman was actually filming him at it. I had to leave for work. I ignored the camera, the temptation to scream abuse, and brushed a kiss on Caleb’s surprised, metho-scented cheek.

‘Don’t speak to them,’ I murmured.

He kept his voice very quiet too. ‘I’ve learned my lesson.’

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FRAUS | Goddess of Treachery and Fraud