‘What explanation do you have for the discovery of these body parts?’ Gillard asked.

‘Why should I have an explanation? I’ve been renting this cottage for a year and it must presumably be something to do with the previous tenant.’

‘Who is the landlord?’

‘Well, I rent it from the Church of England, which took a lease from the Willow family.’

‘So the Willows are the freeholders?’ Gillard asked.

‘As far as I know. When I had problems with the boiler, I used to ring Crystal.’

There was an ‘ah’ moment. ‘Have you had cause to ring her recently?’

‘No. I’ve not seen her for months. I pass on any messages through Rowena, when she comes to clean.’

‘Rev Cleaver,’ Hoskins asked. ‘Have you fallen out with anyone in the village?’

‘No, I haven’t. Everyone has been absolutely charming to me, and I hope that I have been courteous and co-operative in turn.’ Gillard couldn’t help but find this man’s answers convincing. He made eye contact and held it, and everything he said seemed utterly reasonable.

‘You’ve got quite a criminal record,’ Hoskins said. ‘GBH, supply of class A drugs, affray, conspiracy to supply. It goes on and on.’

Cleaver closed his eyes briefly, and took a breath. ‘That was all many years ago, officer, as you can see. Incarceration is intended to rehabilitate and, just occasionally, it works. Perhaps with just a spark from above.’ He gestured to the heavens. ‘I truly am a reformed character.’

‘Time will tell,’ Gillard said. CID had already taken a phone call from the office of the Bishop of Winchester, expressing concern and reinforcing the priest’s standing. The detective wasn’t keen to keep Cleaver under lock and key, but until CSI had finished excavating the bottom of the garden and a search of his home, he couldn’t be allowed to return. Gillard explained that, and asked if Cleaver had anywhere else to go.

‘Yes, I’ve had a couple of offers,’ Cleaver said, brandishing the phone that had just been returned to him. Gillard didn’t doubt the truth of that comment. Still, he would be interested to see what messages and texts showed up on that phone.

Driving from Reigate back to Rissington Common, Gillard found Bourne Lane clogged with police vehicles. He parked by the Tickett yard and walked the rest of the way, greeting the duty officer on the cottage gate, and going through the passageway that led to the rear of the terraced cottage. A white CSI tent occupied the bottom quarter of the garden, while beyond it a mini digger had been positioned on the other side of the garden wall where it could reach over to excavate. Kirsty Mockett, dressed in a white Tyvek suit, face mask and booties, emerged to greet Gillard.

‘Have you found anything else?’ he asked.