‘Did he work on the renovation of the old convent?’ she asked.

‘He said he did.’

‘What about Dermot?’

‘No. This is his first job for the Durhams.’

‘Did Lee say he was going to phone Mr Durham about the coffin?’

‘I can’t remember exactly what he said, but he walked off towards the old convent, so I assumed he was going to speak to Mr Durham.’

‘Would that be Thomas or Nick?’

‘Thomas. He lives in the old chapel.’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘What’s this all about, anyway?’

‘I’m just trying to get my head around who does what in the company. Then I’ll know who to talk to.’

‘Nick Durham runs it all now. He’s a decent guy to work for. So is Lee . . . most of the time.’

‘Thanks for your help, Barry.’

‘I’m really sorry for hitting Katie,’ he said suddenly.

‘Count yourself lucky she hasn’t pressed charges against you . . . yet,’ Jane said.

‘It won’t happen again, I swear,’ he said.

‘It had better not, because if it does, DI Stanley will come after you,’ she said. She could see the fear in Barry’s eyes. She stepped out of the cell, closed the wicket and walked back down the corridor.

*

Jane went to the canteen, ordered a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea then took it down to the CID office. She looked in Boon’s desk tray for his report, wanting to read the part about his conversation with Dermot and what he’d said Lee Holland did after the discovery of the coffin.

It was no surprise when she read it. Dermot said that Lee told him he was going to speak to Mr Durham and walked off towards the old convent. She recalled seeing Thomas Durham come out of the site office early on Friday morning, then telling her the site manager wasn’t very helpful and asking her ‘what’s going on’. Lee Holland had looked worried and said the man was just a nosy resident and he didn’t know his name.

It was clear that Thomas Durham and Lee Holland were trying to distance themselves from each other. And whatever they were hiding, it appeared to be connected to the discovery of the coffin. She thought about Nick Durham and wondered if he was also involved in some way. She got his phone number out of her handbag and called him.

‘Hi, it’s Jane Tennison.’

‘Please tell me you’re still on for dinner tonight,’ he said.

‘I was just wondering where and what time I should meet you?’ she said.

Chapter Fifteen

CHAPTER FIFTEEN