‘My DCS is holding a press conference at Orpington later today. He’s releasing details about a crucifix we recovered which had some initials and a date on it. Hopefully, it will result in a positive identification. If it doesn’t, he’ll no doubt need to do a further appeal through the national and local press outlets.’
‘Do you think I could go to the press conference?’
‘You’re a journalist, so I can’t see why not. I’ll make sure your name is on the press list.’
‘Thank you so much, DC Boon. It’ll be my first press conference.’
‘Please, call me Simon.’
Becky leaned forward. ‘The lady who phoned me said she still keeps in contact with one of the nuns. I’ll see if I can get her name and address for you.’
‘That would be really helpful, but don’t get yourself in trouble on my account. Would you mind asking her if she’d be willing to speak to me?’
‘Of course. I’ll call her as soon as I get back to the office.’
‘That would be great.’ He finished his coffee. ‘I was also wondering what made you want to become a journalist?’
She laughed. ‘Originally, I was focused on being a fashion writer, but then I found myself drawn to investigative journalism.’
‘Did that stem from your dad being a copper?’
Becky nodded. ‘A bit, I suppose. Listening to the cases he was dealing with as a coroner’s officer interested me... not in a gory way, though. I’ve always found it hard to understand why people commit some crimes — especially murder. Investigative journalism helps me to understand it better. And I believe journalists have a duty to write responsibly and help catch the perpetrators of any crime.’
‘There are a lot of things we have in common, then.’ Boon smiled, knowing they both still had a lot to learn in their chosen professions.
She smiled back. ‘Yes, there are.’
Returning to the News Shopper office, Boon waited in the foyer while Becky went upstairs and phoned her contact. It wasn’t long before she returned.
‘Mrs Gorman is happy to see you,’ she told him, ‘but she’d like me to be there as well... if that’s OK with you, of course?’ Becky smiled.
Boon realised she was quite crafty, and not nearly as naïve as she pretended to be. He had no choice but to say yes.
Jane drove her car to Archbishop’s House. Now that she knew there was no problem with Nick, she was able to think about the future with him. She was sure her parents would approve. Her only worry was that when she introduced him, her mother would embarrass her with too many probing questions.
She lifted the heavy brass knocker and banged it down several times. With Bishop Meade away, she had an opportunity to speak with Mrs Parkin in private. She just hoped that Mrs Parkin was unaware of the News Shopper article. The same priest she had met on Friday opened the door.
‘Good morning, Detective Tennison. Unfortunately, Bishop Meade isn’t here.’
Jane smiled. ‘Yes, I know. He said he was going to a meeting in Cambridge. I’ve actually come to speak with Mrs Parkin, the archivist.’
‘Is she expecting you?’
‘Yes. Bishop Meade has asked her to assist my inquiries in identifying the nun.’
‘Very good. The archives are down in the basement. Please follow me.’
They walked down the winding marble stairs which opened onto a long corridor.
‘Mrs Parkin’s office is just up on the right.’ The priest turned and left.
Jane knocked on the door and entered.
Her eyes had to adjust to the dimly lit, musty-smelling room. She was surprised how big it was, with row after row of alphabetically arranged books, binders and boxes stretching towards the ceiling and covering every inch of the dusty shelves.
A woman was sitting behind a large desk with a table lamp. ‘Mrs Parkin?’
‘How can I help you?’ she asked.
Mrs Parkin looked to be in her early forties, with shoulder-length blonde hair. She was short, slim, and smartly dressed in a white blouse with a bow at the neck and a black skirt.
‘I’m Detective Sergeant Tennison. I wanted to thank you personally for searching your archive records on the Sisters of Mercy Convent.’
‘My pleasure,’ she replied.
‘There were a couple of other things I was going to ask Bishop Meade about the convent so I can complete my report. Unfortunately, he’s gone to Cambridge. I wondered if you might be able to help me.’
‘I will if I can. I just need to pop to the ladies.’
Jane doubted Mrs Parkin would try and contact Meade but couldn’t be certain. ‘Actually, I need to use the toilet myself.’
Mrs Parkin smiled. ‘Follow me.’
When they returned to the archives Mrs Parkin asked Jane how she could help her.
‘Bishop Meade said the convent buildings and land were deconsecrated. Do you have a record of who in the diocese dealt with it?’
‘It should be on the Petition for Faculty. I put it in a box with the few things I found on the convent.’ She reached under her desk, pulled out the box and looked inside. ‘Here it is. Signed and dated fifth of July 1964 by Bishop Malone. He’s our archbishop now.’ She handed it to Jane.
‘Would he have performed the deconsecration alone?’ she asked. She scanned the document for Meade’s name, but couldn’t see it.
Mrs Parkin pulled another document from the box. ‘This solicitor’s letter also confirms it was Bishop Malone. He’s currently in Rome helping to organise the Pope’s visit to the UK. I’m hoping to get an introduction when he visits London,’ she beamed.
‘Would he have dealt with the exhumation and removal of nuns’ bodies to another grave site?’
‘Yes. There’s a document in here about that as well.’ She showed it to Jane.
‘Could I have copies of these documents for my case report, please?’
‘Of course.’ Mrs Parkin walked over to the copier.
Jane thought about Thomas Durham and Lee Holland and what they might be hiding. ‘If other bodies had been uncovered by the builders during the original redevelopment of the convent, would they have had to notify the diocese?’
‘Most certainly yes... and also the council. They would also have to apply for another Petition for Faculty, then the bodies could be moved and the ground deconsecrated.’
Jane thought about Father Chris’s suggestion that a layperson might have been involved. ‘Do you keep records of any builders or handymen who worked at the convent?’
‘We don’t keep their names, if that’s what you mean. However, we do keep receipts regarding repair work and estimates, which would have gone through our buildings department.’
‘Would you have receipts relating to the Bickley convent?’
‘Possibly, but they would be stored in a separate section of the archives and might take a while to find.’
‘I’d be grateful if you could have a look when you get a chance, and let me know if you find anything,’ Jane said.
‘Jot down your phone number on my notepad,’ Mrs Parkin said, pointing to the pad on her desk. ‘Is there anything else I can help you with?’ She handed Jane the copies of the documents.
‘About the fire, do you know how it started?’
‘I’m afraid not.’
‘Might there be any records?’ Jane asked, recalling Meade telling her Mrs Parkin had given him the details of when and where the fire occurred.
Mrs Parkin looked in the box and removed a document. ‘Just this. It’s a letter from the diocesan solicitors to the developers.’
Jane read it. The only mention was a line stating that a fire had occurred in August 1962, damaging several uninsured outbuildings and the school beyond economical repair. Jane realised Meade could have the letter but wondered how he knew the fire had started in the bakery and destroyed all the convent documents.