‘I appreciate your concerns,’ Jane said. ‘It might be advisable to consult your solicitors as they will be able to give you far better advice than me.’
‘I’ll do that. It is what it is for now, I guess.’
‘I’m sure the bishop will be able to tell me more about the convent land, and I’ll call you later if I’ve any more information.’
‘Thanks, I’d appreciate that.’ He went to his desk and picked up a business card. ‘I’ll put my home number on this as well. Don’t worry if it’s late. I doubt I’ll manage to get much sleep with this hanging over us.’ He handed Jane the card.
She couldn’t help noticing he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. ‘Is there anything else you’d like to ask me?’
‘Will you need to speak to my father?’
‘Considering his heart condition, I wouldn’t want to cause him any further stress. For now, it’s probably best I contact you if I have any further questions. That way you can decide what you want to tell him.’
‘Thanks for your understanding of our situation. Is there a number I can contact you on if I need to?’
‘I work at Bromley in the CID office. I don’t have a business card, but the station number is in the phone directory.’ Jane stood up. ‘It’s been a pleasure meeting you.’
‘Likewise,’ he replied as they shook hands.
‘There is something I’d like to ask you that’s not police related, though,’ she said. ‘I was wondering...’
‘Yes, I would love to have dinner with you this weekend,’ he said with a straight face. ‘What time suits you?’
She laughed, unsure if he was just trying to be funny or was genuinely asking her out.
‘Actually, I was wondering if there was an electrician you could recommend.’
‘Is it a big or small job?’
‘I don’t really know. I recently bought a house in Chislehurst and I think the fuse box and wiring need looking at.’
‘The guy who does the wiring on our new builds might be able to look at it for you. It could be a week or two before he’s free, though.’
‘I’m in no rush.’
‘Leave it with me. I’ll have a word with him and get back to you.’
Jane thanked him and walked towards the door.
‘You didn’t answer my question about dinner.’
Now she knew he was being serious. She smiled over her shoulder but didn’t reply.
She stopped at Judy’s desk. ‘Thanks for the coffee. I was wondering if you have any brochures for two-to-three-bedroom houses or flats Mr Durham has built.’
‘Yes, we do.’ She opened one of the filing cabinet doors behind her. ‘Are you thinking of buying one of his properties?’
‘No. I’ve just bought a small house which needs some modernisation, especially the kitchen. The one I looked at in your brochure earlier was incredible, but much bigger than mine.’
Judy selected various brochures and put them in a large envelope. ‘You should ask Mr Durham’s advice. He designs all the interiors for our properties. He even designed our office.’
‘Really? I thought he was a building developer?’
‘He’s actually the company architect. He does all the plan drawings for the new builds and conversions but now he runs the business, people tend to think of him as a developer.’ She handed Jane the envelope.
‘Thanks for these. Where did he learn about interior design?’
‘Self-taught. He’s very creative and has a good eye for beautiful things.’
‘He certainly has,’ Jane replied with a knowing grin.
Walking back to the station, Jane felt flattered that Nick Durham had found her attractive and wanted to have dinner with her. Although he was handsome and seemed charming, she wondered if he was like some of the men she’d met in her life — a chancer who only wanted to get her into bed. Whatever his intentions, she knew she’d have to speak with him again and she had to admit she was looking forward to that.
Crossing the yard, Jane stopped by her car and put the brochures on the passenger seat, before going to the CID office.
‘Is Boony about?’ she asked a detective who was writing a report at his desk.
‘He’s in the charge room with DI Stanley interviewing that low life who stole the nun’s cross.’
She remembered Boon telling her Sam Pullen had tried to contact her. She looked in the message book for Sam’s number, then went and sat at her desk and dialled it.
‘Hi, Sam, it’s Jane Tennison. Sorry I didn’t get back to you earlier. I’ve been out of the office since yesterday.’
‘That’s OK. I just wanted to let you know that I spoke with the anthropologist Richard Eaves. He’s agreed to examine the nun’s body and do a facial reconstruction.’
‘I’m sorry, Sam, but DCS Barnes said no to using him. He thinks it will cost too much and the reconstruction could lead to mistaken identifications.’
‘That’s a pity. Eaves said he’d do it for free.’
Jane was surprised. ‘For free?’
‘Yes. The university gave him a research grant this semester. He was quite excited when I told him about the mummified nun. He wants to use the case as part of his research and development in facial reconstruction.’
‘That’s fantastic news, Sam! I owe you a large drink.’
‘I’ll hold you to that. I was going to take Eaves to the mortuary this afternoon to have a look at the body. Will that be OK?’
‘Yes, it’s fine by me, though it will be up to DCS Barnes whether or not we use it. How long will it take to do?’
‘A full clay reconstruction can take a few weeks. He’ll need to take the head back to his lab and use the skull for the reconstruction.’
‘Does that mean he has to take the remaining facial tissue and adipocere off?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m not sure the diocese would be happy about that.’
‘It doesn’t matter what they think. It’s a murder investigation. I’ve already spoken with the coroner and he’s fine about Eaves working on the skull. I’ve also arranged for Dr Martin, the forensic odontologist, to examine the nun’s teeth and take photographs for a comparison with any dental records you might find.’
Jane was a little irritated that Sam had taken it upon herself to speak to the coroner and other experts without consulting her first, but she didn’t say as much as she knew Sam was trying to be helpful.
‘DCS Barnes wants the nun’s cause of death kept quiet until we identify her,’ Jane said.
‘The only people I’ve told are the ones I just mentioned and Prof Martin, for obvious reasons.’
‘Just let them know to keep it to themselves please,’ Jane said. She then told Sam about the engraved cross they’d recovered.
‘Well done, Jane. Identifying MB will be a big step forward in the investigation.’
‘I’ve got a meeting this afternoon with the diocesan bishop. Fingers crossed I’ll get a result today.’
‘Let me know if you do. Speak to you later.’
Stanley and Boon were waiting in the interview room for Barry to be brought in by the custody officer.
‘You take the lead, Boony.’
‘Are you sure, guv?’
‘Yeah, you nicked him and know more about the case than I do. I’ll write the interview notes.’
‘Thanks, guv,’ Boon replied, looking chuffed.
Entering the room, Barry let out a big sigh. ‘How long is this going to take?’
‘That depends on whether or not you tell us the truth. Take a seat and listen to what my colleague has to say,’ Stanley said.
Boon cautioned him again. ‘You do not have to say anything unless you wish to do so, but what you say may be given in evidence. Do you understand the caution, Mr May?’
‘I ain’t stupid, mate.’
‘Are you still happy to be interviewed without a solicitor?’ Boon asked.