‘I see. Well, thank you for your assistance, Bishop Meade,’ she said.

‘If there’s anything else you need, please feel free to call me. I won’t be in my office today, though, as I’m attending a religious conference in Cambridge this afternoon.’

Jane put the phone down.

‘He’s hiding something,’ Barnes said, his jaw set.

Stanley wasn’t so sure. ‘Hiding what? There was a fire, and Jane found a council planning document confirming everything was deconsecrated.’

‘I’m not doubting that,’ Barnes said. ‘What I find odd is he never gave his name when he went to the mortuary or told you he’d been there. Also, he never asked when the nun’s body would be released for burial.’

‘In fairness, he did ask me when I met him on Friday,’ Jane said. ‘I told him it was the coroner’s decision and he’d probably want us to identify her first.’

‘He’s just told you the records were destroyed, and he knows the land was deconsecrated . . . so why didn’t he ask you to speak with the coroner? Take it from me, there’s skeletons in his cupboard,’ Barnes said firmly.

Jane thought for a moment. ‘It’s possible his emotional distress at the mortuary wasn’t grief over the death of a nun. His reaction to seeing her body could be an outpouring of self-pity and regret for something he’s done or was involved in. If I’m right, then it also suggests Bishop Meade knows who she is and may be lying about the diocesan records being destroyed in the fire.’

‘If he’s lying, then so is the lady who looks after the archives, which on the face of it would seem unlikely,’ Stanley remarked.

‘Then we need to have a word with Mrs Parkin . . . without Meade knowing,’ Barnes said.

‘I can do that, sir,’ Jane said. Barnes nodded.

Boon returned, looking pleased with himself. ‘The electoral register for PC Rogers’ address only showed him and Mrs Rogers living there. But I phoned Jack the mortuary technician and asked him if Rogers had a daughter. He said yes and her name was Rebecca. She’s twenty-two and a junior reporter for the News Shopper.’

‘Looks like she’s trying to make a name for herself,’ Stanley said.

‘Good work, son,’ Barnes said. ‘I’d like you to pay Miss Rogers a visit. I want to know exactly what information she received. Also, tell her her father could be disciplined and possibly dismissed from the force for leaking confidential information to the press.’

‘Is it worth getting her to do an article about the cross and asking former nuns and orphans at the convent to contact us?’ Boon asked.