‘Well, it’s worth a try,’ she said. ‘Maybe the magistrate will be as repelled as we are.’
‘Come on, Boony,’ Stanley said, walking towards the door.
‘Where are we going, guv?’ Boony asked.
‘To charge Barry May and have a little word in his ear about what happens to scumbags who assault women.’
They were out of the room before Jane could say anything.
She did some paperwork while she waited for them to return. It was fifteen minutes before Stanley came back on his own, telling Jane that Boon had gone to the council offices.
‘What did you do to him?’ Jane asked.
‘Let’s just say he won’t bother his missus again,’ Stanley said.
‘You didn’t hit him, did you?’
Stanley shook his head. ‘I just put him up against the wall and prodded his chest a few times.’
Jane thought he’d probably made matters worse. ‘That’s really going to help his wife.’
‘I told him I know some tasty villains who detest wife beaters. He nearly shit himself when I said I’d give them his address if he ever laid one finger on his wife again.’
‘Well, let’s hope it works, for Katie and the children’s sakes.’
The SOCO walked in and handed Jane two sets of A4 photographs. ‘These are the blowups you wanted of the cross. The others are the mortuary photos which DS Johnson took. They came through in the dispatch bag from the lab this morning.’
Jane thanked him and put two photographs of the cross and some of the coffin in a folder.
She turned to Stanley. ‘I spoke with Nick Durham earlier. He runs the company that’s doing the new building work in the convent grounds. He was very helpful, but obviously a bit upset at the site being closed.’
Stanley shrugged. ‘Tough shit. I’m sure he’s not short of a few quid.’
‘There’s some old buildings on the site that were burnt out in the sixties. Durham wondered if they could knock them down,’ Jane continued.
‘Fine by me, as long as it’s all surface work and no digging. Let’s go over everything we’ve got so far in my office. We also need to write up an action plan.’
In his office, Jane sat opposite Stanley.
‘Barnes was impressed with your report.’
‘I was worried he’d pick holes in it. But he was actually very pleasant and listened to what I had to say — though it would be fair to point out he didn’t agree with all my views. I reckon he’ll form a full murder squad once we identify the nun.’
Stanley nodded. ‘I asked Barnes why he wanted her murder kept quiet. He told me he was running late for a meeting and to ask you.’
Jane told Stanley about the suicide of young Stephen Phillips and what Barnes had uncovered during the investigation.
‘I could see he was still quite emotional about it all,’ she added.
‘I’m not surprised. The death of a child is never easy to investigate, but to discover that priests and nuns could abuse kids in their care — then cover it up — is sickening. Do you want me to come with you to meet the bishop?’
‘I’ll be fine,’ Jane said. ‘Stephen’s death was nearly twenty years ago now. I’d like to think the Catholic Church’s attitude has changed since then. Father Floridia offered his assistance before we even knew if there was a body in the coffin...’
‘He may be fishing for information,’ Stanley said.
‘I don’t think so. He came across as very sincere.’
Stanley snorted. ‘You’ve only met him once. First impressions can be misleading. Take Barnes’s advice, tread carefully and don’t give away too much.’
‘I haven’t,’ Jane said quickly.
He raised his eyebrows. ‘Why does it feel to me like you’re trying to defend yourself?’
‘I’m not. I just think you’re wrong about Father Chris,’ Jane said without thinking.
‘On first-name terms, are you? You forget, Jane, I’ve known you a long time. What is it you’re not telling me?’
Jane let out a big sigh. ‘I’ve done something I may regret...’
‘Well, it won’t be the first time,’ he grinned. ‘Come on, spit it out!’
Jane told him about her meeting with Father Chris the previous evening and what she’d divulged about the nun’s murder.
Stanley flopped back in his chair looking exasperated. ‘This is more than stupid... it’s fucking disobeying a senior officer’s order. Barnes will literally crucify you if he finds out!’
‘I didn’t know his views at the time,’ Jane said feebly.
‘Common sense alone should have told you not to say anything. And you didn’t even tell me you were going to see Father Floridia.’
‘It was an impulse decision on the way home,’ Jane explained. ‘Father Floridia promised he wouldn’t tell the bishop until I said it was OK.’
Stanley shook his head. ‘For your sake, I hope he hasn’t phoned him.’
‘What do you think I should tell Father Floridia?’ Jane asked.
‘The truth — that you screwed up and shouldn’t have said anything.’
‘Are you going to tell Barnes?’
‘What would you do if you were in my position?’
‘I don’t know... maybe realise I acted in good faith?’
‘I won’t tell Barnes,’ he said.
‘Thank you,’ Jane said, the relief obvious in her voice.
‘Don’t thank me yet,’ Stanley said. ‘Somehow, I doubt a priest is going to oblige you by lying to his superiors the way you did. In which case, you tell Barnes you messed up — and you don’t mention you told me.’
Jane knew she had no choice. ‘Do you want to draw up an action plan?’
‘Right now, I’ve nothing more to say to you, Jane. Have your meeting with the bishop, then we’ll discuss what to do next.’
‘I’m really sorry,’ Jane said.
‘So am I, Jane. I expected better of you. Just go before I change my mind,’ he said, waving her away with his hand.
Chapter Eleven
Jane bought a sandwich in the canteen and ate it at her desk before phoning the mortuary. Jack, the mortuary technician, answered and she asked to speak with PC Rogers.
‘PC Rogers isn’t here, sergeant. I’m not sure when... or if he’ll be back.’
‘Did the coroner send him back to division?’ Jane asked thinking that would be a bit harsh.
‘I heard through the grapevine, the coroner told him his days as a coroner’s officer were numbered. Rogers was in a right sulk when he came back here. He said another coroner’s officer would be dealing with the case as from Monday and he was taking some time off. Then he left with his tail between his legs.’
‘Sounds like he’s learned his lesson the hard way,’ Jane said.
‘Well, he’s only himself to blame,’ Jack said. ‘He’s been warned about his attitude by the coroner before. Is there anything I can help you with in Rogers’ absence?’
‘There’s a priest called Father Floridia who’s helping me identify the nun. He wanted to come to the mortuary and say a prayer for her... if that’s OK with you?’
‘No problem at all, sergeant. I’ll lay her out in our chapel of rest in a clean white shroud.’
‘Thanks, Jack. We’ll be with you in about half an hour. Oh, while I think of it, my DCS wants us to keep the nun’s cause of death to ourselves for the time being.’
‘I know — DI Stanley phoned earlier and told me the same thing. He’s got nothing to worry about... my motto has always been “what goes on at work, stays at work”.’
Jane thought Jack’s motto rather ironic, as most people wouldn’t want to hear about the dissection and examination of dead bodies anyway.