‘There’s nothing we can do, Boony,’ Jane said.
‘The coroner said it was an unlawful killing — that can’t just be ignored!’ Boon argued.
Jane understood why Boon was upset but thought his remarks naïve. ‘The commissioner knew he couldn’t suppress Dr Pullen’s post-mortem statement or the coroner’s verdict of unlawful killing, especially after Becky’s article in the News Shopper revealed our investigation to the public.’
Stanley nodded. ‘The Met solicitors would have told the commissioner any criminal proceedings were futile, especially as Mother Adele and Bishop Meade are dead, and Sister Margaret is immune from prosecution due to her state of mind.’
Jane put her hand on Boon’s shoulder. ‘You win some, you lose some... you move on.’
‘Bloody hell, that’s a bit rich coming from you,’ Stanley remarked.
Jane shrugged. ‘Maybe, but as much I respect him, I don’t want to become like DCS Barnes. He’s made me realise bitterness will eat away at you and end up clouding your judgement. We need to put this investigation behind us, not let it tear us apart.’
‘Sorry to interrupt,’ the duty sergeant said as he entered the room. ‘I thought you might like to know that Barry May has been arrested for assaulting his wife. She’s in Queen Mary’s Hospital with two black eyes and broken ribs. She said to tell DS Tennison she wants to make a statement and press charges against him.’
Returning from the supermarket, Tony Barnes walked into his living room carrying two bags of shopping. His wife was sitting on the sofa watching the television as Pope John Paul II descended the steps of a plane at Gatwick. He was dressed in a white skull cap, cassock and pellegrina, girded with a fringed white fascia. A large pectoral cross hung from a gold cord around his neck. On reaching the concrete, he fell to his knees and kissed the ground.
Barnes felt repulsed as he watched Archbishop Malone help the Pope up and then kissed his hand. He dropped the shopping then turned off the television.
‘Sorry, but I can’t bear watching that crap,’ he snorted.
She frowned. ‘Well, I want to watch it, like thousands of others. History is being made today and you should appreciate it.’
‘That’s Malone with the Pope and I can’t bear the sight of him! Yet again, he’s made a fool of me!’
‘For Christ’s sake, Tony, let it go. You’ve allowed him to eat away at your soul for nearly thirty years now. You’re retired. You need to put the police service behind you and move on... for both our sakes.’ She turned the television back on.
The commentator expressed his thoughts. ‘There is nothing sentimental about this pope. He comes to proclaim the truth as he wrote in a poem twenty years ago. “If I have the truth in me it will break out one day — I cannot repent.”’
Barnes opened his wallet and removed the business card The Times investigative journalist had given him, then left the room.
‘Where are you going?’ his wife shouted after him.
‘To proclaim the truth!’
After interviewing Barry May, Jane went to speak with Stanley. He was watching the Pope’s visit on the television and drinking a glass of whisky.
‘The Pope’s just arrived at Victoria station on the Gatwick train. Malone is with him. The smug son of a bitch is waving, and smiling to everyone,’ Stanley said.
‘He’ll probably be made a cardinal after arranging the visit,’ Jane remarked.
‘Fancy a quick snifter?’ Stanley asked, holding up his glass.
‘Go on then,’ she replied.
Stanley opened his bottom desk drawer, removed a bottle of Glenmorangie, poured some into a glass and handed it to Jane.
‘That’s the same whisky Barnes likes on special occasions.’
‘I know, he left it in his filing cabinet. Be a shame to let it go to waste,’ Stanley grinned.
‘You thieving git,’ Jane laughed as she raised her glass. ‘Cheers.’
Stanley raised his glass in turn. ‘Cheers. I wonder if the Pope and Malone will discuss Bishop Meade’s suicide?’
‘Probably, then sweep it under the carpet,’ Jane replied.
‘They’re all lying bastards. I reckon Bishop Meade would have confessed if we’d had the chance to interview him.’
‘For what it’s worth, I don’t think he was involved in Melissa’s death,’ Jane said.
‘Are you being serious?’ Stanley asked.
‘Yes, it’s just a gut feeling,’ Jane replied. ‘We all have our own views about what happened to Melissa and who killed her, but only she, and the person who killed her, know the truth. We worked hard and did our job to the best of our ability. One day the abuse and cover-ups carried out by the Catholic Church will come out. When it does, we can hold our heads high and say, “I told you, but you didn’t listen.”’
‘You and I might be long retired before that day comes,’ Stanley replied. ‘How’d it go with Barry May?’
‘Boon’s charging him with grievous bodily harm.’
‘Boony’s turning into a good detective.’
‘Well, he’s learning from the best, isn’t he?’ Jane grinned.
Stanley laughed. ‘Don’t flatter yourself... it’s me he models himself on.’
Jane raised her eyes. ‘God help us, then. Do you mind if I head off home? My house is in desperate need of some TLC, so I’m going to multitask with a paint brush in one hand and a large glass of wine in the other.’
‘One for the road?’ Stanley asked, lifting the bottle.
‘Just a wee dram,’ Jane replied.
Stanley poured some whisky into both glasses. ‘How’s things between you and Nick Durham?’
‘He made it quite clear that he never wants to see me again. I haven’t heard a word from him since and I don’t expect to.’
‘Sorry about that, but it’s probably for the best. And there’s plenty more fish in the sea.’
‘Like I said before — you win some... you lose some.’
‘And then you move on,’ Stanley said, and they both raised their glasses.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Nigel Stoneman and Tory Macdonald, the team I work with at La Plante Global.
All the forensic scientists and members of the Met Police who help with my research. I could not write without their valuable input.
Cass Sutherland for his valuable advice on police procedures and forensics.
The entire team at my publisher, Bonnier Books UK, who work together to have my books edited, marketed, publicised and sold. A special thank you to Kate Parkin and Bill Massey for their great editorial advice and guidance.
Francesca Russell and Blake Brooks, who have introduced me to the world of social media — my Facebook Live sessions have been so much fun.
The audio team, Jon Watt and Laura Makela, for bringing my entire backlist to a new audience in audiobooks. Thanks also for giving me my first podcast series, Listening to the Dead, which can be downloaded globally.
Allen and Unwin in Australia and Jonathan Ball in South Africa — thank you for doing such fantastic work with my books.
All the reviewers, journalists, bloggers and broadcasters who interview me, write reviews and promote my books. Thank you for your time and work.