Malone frowned, looking at the two police officers. ‘In future, if you want to speak to Bishop Meade or anyone connected to the Church, please make a formal request to my office. That way I can arrange for them to be represented by one of our solicitors. Tell your senior officer I will be in contact with him.’ He smiled condescendingly.

‘This is Detective Chief Superintendent Barnes. He’s in charge of the investigation, Your Grace,’ Meade cut in.

Barnes stood up and looked Malone in the eye. ‘You don’t remember me, do you?’

‘Should I?’ Malone replied dismissively.

‘You might remember the name Stephen Phillips,’ Barnes said.

Malone shrugged and shook his head. ‘Can’t say I do.’

‘Let me refresh your memory, then. He was the twelve-year-old you beat with a belt so frequently he lost the will to live and then hanged himself.’

Malone’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Barnes. ‘I will be contacting the commissioner about your aggressive and underhand behaviour.’

‘I’m sure you will, Archbishop Malone. But let me tell you this, murder is a crime the police investigate, not the Church.’ Barnes turned to Meade. ‘Your halo is slipping, bishop. If you wish to confess your sins, I suggest you do it to me . . . not Malone.’

‘Get out, now!’ Malone said through gritted teeth.

As he walked out, Barnes stopped by Malone and whispered, ‘You may not have murdered Sister Melissa, but I know you were involved in her murder. Believe me, this time I won’t let you cover up the truth!’

Malone waited until Barnes and Stanley had left the room, closed the door, then turned sharply to face Meade.

‘What did you tell them?’ he asked tersely.

‘Nothing, Your Grace. I did as you told me and denied knowing Sister Melissa.’

‘Well, they clearly didn’t believe you. Mark my words, they’ll be back, and Barnes will be out to destroy me as well. If you hadn’t had carnal desires for her, we wouldn’t be in this unfortunate mess.’

‘I’m truly sorry, Your Grace . . .’

‘I protected you from the start and promoted you because you had repented. I’ve been told I will be made a cardinal after the Pope’s visit. I’m not going to let you jeopardise my future. It might be best for you move to an overseas mission in Africa as soon as possible.’

‘But I don’t want to leave here.’

‘If it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t be here at all! Did you find the letter of dispensation in the archives?’

‘Not yet, Your Grace.’

‘Why not?’ he scowled.

‘I thought it best not to speak with Mrs Parkin personally. I didn’t want to make her suspicious . . .’

‘It’s a bit late for that now!’

‘I’ll tell the police the truth and say you knew nothing about my relationship with Melissa.’