‘I’ve read the article in the News Shopper and seen your appeal for information on television. I find it rather deceitful that Detective Sergeant Tennison didn’t tell me all the facts when she came here last week. It would seem she even lied to Father Floridia.’

‘She was acting under my instructions,’ Barnes said. ‘I told her not to reveal how the victim died until we had identified her . . . which I’m pleased to say we have.’ Barnes noticed Meade’s eyes widen slightly.

‘May I ask who she was?’ he said.

‘Sister Melissa Bailey. But I think you already knew that,’ Barnes said.

Meade shook his head. ‘I can assure you I am not familiar with the name.’

‘That’s surprising, especially as you were the priest at St Mary’s and regularly visited the convent while Sister Melissa was a nun there.’

‘I went to the convent once or twice a month to read stories to the children. My interaction was mainly with the Mother Superior. She was quite strict and made it clear I was not to fraternise with the sisters, apart from Sister Margaret who was her deputy. My only communication with the others was a pleasant nod, hello or good morning.’

‘Why didn’t you tell DS Tennison any of this?’ Stanley asked.

‘She never asked, and I didn’t think it relevant. Her failure to inform me it was a murder investigation made me believe there was nothing untoward. As far as I was concerned, the body could have been there since the 1850s. I made inquiries with our archivist, Mrs Parkin, then promptly informed DS Tennison of the results.’

‘I know, I was there when you called.’ Barnes looked in his notebook. ‘DS Tennison asked you if any priests had worked at the convent. You replied, “Only sisters ever lived and worked there,” so by your own admission that statement is clearly a lie.’

Meade sighed. ‘I didn’t work there in the true sense of the word. As I just said I merely visited the convent now and again.’

Barnes looked at his notes. ‘You also said Mrs Parkin told you the fire started in the bakery then destroyed all the convent records and the schoolhouse.’

‘Yes, that’s correct.’

Barnes closed his notebook and tucked it back in his jacket pocket. ‘When Mrs Parkin was asked about the fire by DS Tennison, she referred to an archive document which stated it occurred in August 1962, damaging the outbuildings and school beyond economical repair.’

‘DS Tennison used subterfuge to gain entry to the archives. She lied to Mrs Parkin as to why she was there.’

‘Again, she was acting under my instructions. My question is, how did you know where the fire started and that it destroyed all the convent documents?’