‘You’re right,’ Barnes said, ‘though I doubt there’ll be any records of laypeople who worked at the convent in the fifties and sixties. That said, a press appeal might help identify and locate them.’

It was becoming obvious the task ahead of them was not going to be an easy one because of the years that had passed since the murder.

‘I think it might be worth us having a look at the tunnel and taking some photographs,’ Barnes said.

Boon looked at Jane. ‘We met the man who lives in the chapel—’

Jane was quick to interject. ‘I’ll ask him if I can have a look at the basement and take some photographs.’

Barnes lit another Sobranie. ‘All in all, this has been a productive meeting. Is there anything else we need to discuss for now?’

Jane raised her hand. ‘Can they resume work on the building site now we know the land was deconsecrated?’

Barnes shook his head. ‘I would have said yes. Unfortunately, the News Shopper article alleging children may be buried on the land means I can’t.’

Jane knew it was pointless arguing with him. She dreaded telling Nick the bad news.

‘Will you be digging up the site and dredging the lake to look for other bodies?’ she asked.

‘I don’t know yet. We’ll have to see how the inquiry develops,’ Barnes replied.

Stanley, who hadn’t said much, looked at Jane. ‘Do you know how old the children at the orphanage were?’

‘No. Why do you ask?’

‘We have to consider that one of the children could have committed the murder, and the nuns and Meade covered it up.’

Barnes nodded. ‘I agree. The problem is, if all the children’s records were destroyed, we’ve no way of identifying them.’

‘Not necessarily, sir,’ Boon piped up. ‘A man at Bromley Council told me some Catholic orphanages and children’s homes are run by the Catholic Children’s Society, which is based in Westminster. They may keep records of the children who were sent to the convent and where they went when they left.’

‘Good thinking, Boon. Give them a call and see if they can help us.’ Barnes looked at each of them in turn. ‘Right, you all know what you have to do. Time is of the essence, so let’s get to work.’

Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Jane felt anxious walking to Nick’s office, not knowing if he’d read the article in the News Shopper.

‘Mr Durham’s on the phone just now,’ Judy, the office secretary, said when she saw her.

Jane ignored her and went straight to Nick’s office.

Nick put his palm on the speaker. ‘I’ll be with you in a minute.’

Jane sat on the sofa, nervously rubbing her hands, and wondering if their relationship was going to be over before it had begun.