Thomas looked thoughtful. ‘Although we refer to it as a cellar now, most of what you see down here was in fact a crypt.’ He walked towards the wine storage area. ‘This end of the tunnel was already blocked off when I bought the convent.’ He turned on a light switch.
Jane could see the red brick wall at the end of the six-foot-long wine cellar.
‘This area was already a wine cellar,’ Thomas continued. ‘The racks are the original ones, and the bottles at the far end were already down here. Whether they were used for communion or the nuns’ personal consumption, I don’t know. I did try one once, but it tasted like vinegar. I’ve kept them as a reminder of the past.’
‘I see you still haven’t bothered to get this wall repaired,’ Nick said. He looked at Jane. ‘Whoever originally built this was a crap bricklayer. It’s uneven and the cement mix is so poor it’s crumbling away.’ Nick rubbed his hand against the bricks, then tapped with his knuckle, causing some of the cement to crumble onto the floor. ‘You need to get this looked at, Dad, before it falls down.’
‘I know, son. I’ll get one of the brickies on the site to have a look at it.’
Nick shook his head. ‘You’ve said that before. I’ll speak to Lee tomorrow and ask him to have a look; that way, I know it will get done.’
Thomas frowned. ‘I’m not totally incapable. I’ll speak to him myself, thank you,’ he snapped.
Jane wasn’t sure if he was agitated because Nick had mentioned Lee’s name in front of her, or if this was the normal way they talked to each other.
‘It’s quite a spooky place,’ Jane said. ‘Nick mentioned the bodies of the dead nuns were kept down here,’ she added, to see what Thomas might add.
‘Apparently so,’ he said. ‘I was told they would hold an all-night prayer vigil down here for the departed on the evening before the funeral. I’m glad to say there were no bodies or coffins left behind when I bought the place.’
‘Some of his friends think it might be haunted,’ Nick grinned.
Thomas laughed. ‘The only ghostly occurrence down here has been the disappearance of some of my more expensive wines, which bizarrely occurs whenever Nick visits me,’ he said.
‘I get the blame for everything, Jane... even the ghosts,’ Nick replied with a smile. He turned to his father. ‘The tunnel on the map appeared to extend to the burnt-out buildings.’ Jane was relieved he’d brought it up, so she didn’t have to.
Thomas nodded. ‘It did, son, but our survey at the time revealed the fire caused the collapse of the tunnel under the outbuildings. That’s why the current build is well away from the old buildings, which will be turned into a garden and a car park.’
If that was true, Jane realised, then if the nun’s body had been moved using the tunnel, it must have been before the fire, so it must have been done by someone connected with the convent.
‘Do you like red wine and cheese, Jane?’ Thomas asked.
‘Yes,’ she said.
He picked a bottle from the rack and held it out. ‘Would you like to try a ’61 Médoc with some camembert and English cheddar?’
‘Thank you, that would be lovely,’ she replied, sensing he was trying to impress her.
They walked up the stairs to the kitchen, and Thomas opened the wine, sniffed it, then poured it into a glass decanter and left it to breathe. He then prepared the cheese and cut some slices of freshly baked brown bread. ‘I made this myself,’ he said proudly. He presented the bread and cheese on a large wooden board with a slicer, and handed out side plates, side knives and napkins. Placing three crystal wine glasses on the kitchen breakfast bar, Thomas poured the wine.
‘The Médoc is arguably the most famous red wine district in the world, home to many of the greatest and most renowned names of Bordeaux. Please follow my lead, Jane.’ He picked up his glass by the stem and gently swirled the wine, before sniffing it.
Nick sighed. ‘I must have seen and heard this a thousand times.’
Jane whacked him on the arm. ‘Don’t be so rude to your father,’ she said.
Thomas smiled and continued. ‘With few exceptions, the region produces only red wine, and no white wine has the right to be called Médoc.’ He took a sip, let it linger on his palate, then swallowed. ‘Nectar of the gods,’ he beamed.
Jane raised her glass. ‘Cheers.’
Jane thought the cheese went well with the wine and the homemade bread was delightful. Thomas asked her about the site and when they’d be able to reopen. Jane repeated everything she’d told Nick. ‘The site might be able to open again within the next few days, but the final decision is up to my DCS.’
Thomas frowned. ‘I understand the decision to reopen the site is not yours to make. However, when I purchased the old convent, I had my solicitors go over everything with a fine-tooth comb. They reassured me the buildings and land had been deconsecrated.’
Jane wondered if he was telling the truth. ‘Can you remember who carried out the deconsecration?’
‘I don’t know. I was told it took place after the nuns moved out and before the convent was put up for sale, which was nearly two years before I actually bought it.’
‘Did the diocese oversee the sale?’
‘Yes, a bishop and their solicitors did.’
‘Can you recall who it was? I may need to speak to him.’ She doubted it was Bishop Meade, as he would probably have been a lowly priest sixteen years ago.
He shrugged. ‘I can’t remember his name now. Their legal department consulted with my solicitors. But the original documents should be stored at our office.’
‘I had a quick look but couldn’t find them,’ Nick said, then looked at Jane. ‘Sorry, I forgot to tell you.’
‘Well, I wouldn’t have thrown them away,’ Thomas said, testily. ‘I suppose my previous secretary might have had a clear-out when we moved to our current office a few years ago.’
Jane thought he looked agitated. ‘It’s OK. I got a copy of the planning documents from the Bromley planning department. I’ve yet to read through them all but I’m sure the answers will be in there.’
When they’d finished eating, Nick cleared the table and put the dishes and cutlery in the dishwasher.
‘Please excuse me, Jane, but it’s time for my afternoon nap. You are welcome to stay and have a look around.’
‘Nick has already given me the tour. Thank you for your hospitality.’
‘We’ll be off now, Dad,’ Nick said. ‘I know how much you need your beauty sleep.’
‘See what I have to put up with, Jane? He’s always been a cheeky so-and-so. If his mother were still here, she’d put him in his place.’
‘Good to see you, Dad,’ Nick said, giving him a hug.
‘It’s been a pleasure meeting you again, Thomas,’ Jane said.
He shook her hand. ‘You keep him in his place, Jane — and make sure he takes you to the Ivy next time.’
Thomas followed them out to Nick’s car and waved them goodbye. When they were out of sight he returned to the chapel and immediately picked up the phone. It connected after three rings.
‘Lee Holland speaking.’
‘You’re not going to believe this. Nick is dating that Tennison policewoman.’
‘What, the one who’s dealing with the coffin?’ Lee asked.
‘Yes, that one!’ Thomas barked.
‘Jesus Christ, what are we going to do, Tom? We could go to prison if she finds out what happened.’
‘I know that! If she interviews Archbishop Malone it could open up a whole can of worms and ruin us and the company. If you’d have done what I told you years ago with that bloody coffin we wouldn’t be in this mess now!’
On the journey back to Chislehurst, Nick invited Jane to stay the night.
‘I’d love to,’ she said. ‘But I’ve got a meeting with one of my DCs at eight, then one with my DI and DCS. I’ve also got to look through those bloody planning documents and type up my notes for the meetings.’