Lee looked up at Jane. ‘Yes, I started the fire.’
‘Tell me Thomas Durham’s part in it all.’
‘The Mother Superior told Tom the diocese was concerned about the cost of the constant repair bills and she was worried they might close the convent. Thomas went behind her back and spoke with the bishop. He said if the Church ever put the convent on the market, he’d be interested in buying it. The bishop said the Church didn’t want to sell just yet, but if and when they did, he’d give Thomas first refusal.’
‘Was that Bishop Malone?’
‘Yes. We figured if the outbuildings were destroyed by fire, the Church wouldn’t repair them and it’d be forced to sell. I snuck into the bakery late at night and set light to it. Thomas then overinflated the quote to repair the buildings.’
‘DC Boon will read over the questions we asked and your answers,’ Jane said. ‘If there’s anything you want to add or change, then tell him before you sign his notes.’
Jane went to see how Stanley was getting on with the search and found him in the hallway.
‘He’s saying Becky fell down the stairs. He’s either telling the truth or he’s a bloody good liar.’
‘I was listening by the door. That was a good interview, Jane. Connecting Lee and Thomas Durham to the arson was brilliant. I really thought it was Meade.’
‘So did I at first. It doesn’t look like they murdered Melissa Bailey. If they had, I can’t see them putting her in a coffin, then having it buried in the convent grounds. It also looks like Thomas Durham wasn’t at the house when Becky died,’ Jane added.
‘Holland could be covering for him. We need to speak to Nick Durham about his father’s alibi.’
‘I’ll do it after the post-mortem,’ Jane said.
‘Are you sure? I don’t mind speaking with him,’ Stanley said.
‘I’ve got to face Nick at some point — though I suspect he won’t want anything more to do with me,’ Jane said sadly.
Chapter Thirty-one
Jane and Boon took Lee Holland to the charge room and booked him in, whilst Stanley informed DCS Salmon of his arrest and interview.
‘How are PC Rogers and his wife?’ Salmon asked.
‘Absolutely devastated. They were heartbroken. When I told them where we had found Becky’s body, Mrs Rogers had a total breakdown. It was that bad I asked the police doctor to attend. He gave her some sedatives. I’m dreading telling them that Lee Holland said it was an accident.’
‘It’s going to be hard to prove murder in court,’ Salmon remarked.
‘If the post-mortem reveals injuries that are inconsistent with a fall, Holland’s screwed.’
‘Let’s hope it does, then. When is the post-mortem?’
‘Half past ten at Queen Mary’s. Will you be attending?’
‘Unfortunately, I’ve got a meeting at the Yard. I’ll leave it in your capable hands, DI Stanley.’
Stanley suspected Salmon was just squeamish.
‘Is everyone ready for the meeting?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Good, then let’s go. I don’t expect the commissioner’s decision will go down well.’
‘That’s an understatement,’ Stanley mumbled.
‘Sorry, what did you say?’ Salmon asked.
‘That I’m sure the team will respect the commissioner’s decision,’ Stanley said.
Salmon walked into a silent room of dour-looking detectives. The discovery of Becky’s body had saddened them all, and they suspected the investigation into Melissa Bailey’s murder would now be shelved after Bishop Meade’s suicide.
‘I’m sure you are all aware of the discovery of Becky Rogers’ body. Her death is a tragic loss to her family and everyone who knew her. Lee Holland was arrested for her murder this morning. Although he claims her death was an accident, I’m sure we all hope justice will prevail and a jury will come to the right decision. The commissioner has asked me to thank you all for your dedication and hard work investigating the death of Sister Mary.’
There were snorts of derision and a shaking of heads round the room.
‘It’s Sister Melissa... sir,’ Boon said, unable to keep the disgust out of his voice.
Salmon looked flustered. ‘Yes, sorry, slip of the tongue. Where was I?’
‘You were about to tell us the commissioner is shutting the investigation down,’ Stanley said.
‘Unfortunately, yes. The commissioner had our solicitors look at the evidence. They concluded that there is at present no reasonable prospect of convicting anyone for the murder of Sister Melissa. However, the investigation will be classified as a cold case and remain open, pending the discovery of any new evidence.’
‘There’s a stack of evidence against Bishop Meade. Not to mention the cover-up by Archbishop Malone... for which the commissioner is also culpable,’ Boon said.
Salmon looked sternly at him. ‘I think solicitors have a better understanding of legal intricacies than you or me, officer. Let me assure you, this is not a cover-up. The commissioner agrees with the views of our solicitors. As from now, you can all return to your respective stations. DI Stanley, DS Tennison and DC Boon will complete the necessary reports and deal with Lee Holland.’ Salmon walked quickly out the room before anyone else could challenge him.
‘Looks like our hands are tied,’ Jane said to Stanley.
‘We may not be able to do anything about it, but I know someone who can, now he’s handed in his warrant card,’ Stanley said.
‘Are you going tell Barnes what’s happened?’ Jane asked.
‘Too right I am. He can tell the press what he likes without fear of repercussions.’
Jane found it hard to watch as Sam Pullen examined Becky’s body. She’d been to many post-mortems, but this was the first one where she’d known the victim. She thought about PC Rogers. As a coroner’s officer he would have attended hundreds of post-mortems, but the thought of his daughter lying on a cold slab being dissected would be a nightmare he had never imagined.
Only a few days had passed since Jane had watched Becky stand her ground amongst seasoned journalists at the press conference. She’d been laughed at and ridiculed but didn’t let it bother her. Jane fondly remembered Becky irritating Barnes with her naïve questions. He did his best to ignore her, but she would not give in. And in the end she’d shown him up.
No one spoke during the three-hour post-mortem. When it was over, Sam Pullen, Jane and Stanley went to the mortuary office to discuss her findings.
Pullen referred to her notes and drawings. ‘There are multiple bruises and cuts to Becky’s body which are consistent with a fall down a stone staircase. I can’t say if she was pushed. There is also a fracture on the back of her head. This probably occurred when she landed at the bottom of the stairs and her head impacted with the floor. The impact caused an acute subdural hematoma.’
‘Remind me what that is,’ Stanley said.
‘A subdural hematoma occurs when a blood vessel in the space between the skull and the brain is damaged. Blood escapes from the vessels, leading to the formation of a blood clot that places pressure on the brain and damages it. Head injuries that cause a subdural hematoma are often severe, such as those from a fall or violent assault. An acute subdural hematoma is among the deadliest of all head injuries. Blood fills the brain area rapidly and compresses the brain tissue, which can result in unconsciousness, a coma and subsequently death.’
‘So, Becky died because of the fall,’ Stanley concluded.
‘No. The head injury may well have rendered her unconscious or in a coma, but the cause of death was drowning.’
Jane was stunned. ‘She was still alive when Holland put her car in the lake?’