‘That’s when you left the Church?’ Janice asked.

‘Yes. Jordi and I now share our time between here and Barcelona.’ He waved at the paintings. ‘He’s an artist, quite famous in Europe. We’ll be heading back there for the summer.’

McNab wanted to say, better stick around until we give that the okay, but glancing at Janice, decided not to.

‘We’ve taken note of what you’ve said, Mr Walsh,’ she was saying. ‘Although we may require you to provide a formal statement at a later date.’

‘Of course,’ he said with a smile.

‘We also require a DNA sample for elimination purposes, which you can give now or when you come in to provide your statement,’ McNab offered.

His reply was swift. ‘I’m happy to give one now.’

Was the former priest relieved or discomfited by all of this, McNab wondered, as Janice produced the kit and duly did the mouth swab, but found he couldn’t tell.

Thinking it was all over, Walsh now rose to show them out, but it seemed Janice had something more to say.

‘Do you remember Karen Marshall, Mr Walsh?’

He looked perplexed. ‘I don’t believe I do.’

‘She was Mary’s best friend. They were joined at the hip, or so people say, except when in school or church, since Karen was a Protestant.’

McNab saw something – he was unsure of what – flicker across Walsh’s face.

Walsh shook his head. ‘If she wasn’t one of us, I’m unlikely to have met her.’

‘What about Alec McLaughlin then? He lived two doors up from Mary.’

His look darkened. ‘I remember Alec. A most unpleasant character. I thought he ended up in prison?’

‘He did,’ McNab said, ‘but he was released recently.’

‘I take it you’re interviewing him?’

‘You think he has information regarding Mary’s abduction?’ Janice said.

Walsh was fighting himself on what he should or shouldn’t say. Eventually he told them, ‘Alec wasn’t of the faith, so I didn’t know him personally, but there were a lot of rumours about his attitude to girls even back then.’

They departed after that, staying silent until they were clear of the grounds.

‘So,’ McNab said as they got into the car. ‘When did you decide to bring up Karen Marshall?’

‘Probably around the time you decided to mention McLaughlin.’

‘Robbie never talked about McLaughlin in any context other than that he shouted things at the girls when they were playing tennis in the street,’ McNab said as he drove away.

‘We should be used to folk telling half-truths and lies,’ Janice said.

‘We are,’ McNab assured her. ‘How much of what the priest said do you believe?’

Janice didn’t answer.

‘Well?’ McNab insisted.

‘Pretty well none of it,’ Janice said. ‘Except maybe for Jordi Ferrer. I saw a letter addressed to that name on the hall table.’

‘Well spotted, partner,’ McNab said, delighted.

‘Plus, I believe he was in the flat during our interview.’

McNab waited for the reason.

‘There was a smell of cologne or aftershave, and it wasn’t coming from Walsh.’