‘Now, this may sound odd coming from me, but we need to keep an open mind about Becky’s disappearance. Although there’s evidence that points to Meade being involved, she could have been abducted by a stranger. She may be alive and being held against her will. Time is of the essence. We need to think laterally and do everything we can to find her.’

*

Most of the team were gathered in the office for the meeting with Barnes, apart from the officers who were searching Meade’s apartment and office, who so far had found nothing of interest.

Jane phoned the Public Carriage Office who said they would do what they could to trace the cab driver who picked Meade up outside Archbishop’s House. She then phoned British Telecom and requested details of all outgoing calls from Archbishop’s House the previous day, and the names and addresses of who the calls were made to. She said it was urgent and the person she spoke to said they would fax the details through to her within the hour.

Barnes addressed the team. ‘I’m sure you’ve all heard about Bishop Meade’s suicide. As tragic as it is, depending on which way you look at it, he is no longer my main concern. We now need to concentrate on finding Becky Rogers. To that end, I’ve asked for an urgent press appeal to be made. I want you to treat every call or piece of information we receive as a possible lead. Follow it up until you are completely satisfied it is a dead end. If you have something positive, inform DI Stanley immediately.’ Barnes noticed DCS Salmon and the deputy commissioner entering the room.

Everyone stood to attention.

‘I thought the commissioner himself might have been here,’ Barnes remarked drily.

‘He’s busy trying to appease Archbishop Malone . . . thanks to you,’ the deputy commissioner scowled.

‘The floor is yours, Salmon,’ Barnes said with an ill-disguised sneer.

‘I’d like to speak to you in your office, DCS Barnes,’ the deputy commissioner said.

‘If you want to talk to me, sir, I’d rather you did it in front of my team.’

‘I won’t ask again,’ he said.

‘Then don’t, because I’m not budging.’

‘DCS Barnes, you are relieved of your command and suspended from duty until further notice,’ the deputy commissioner said.

Barnes laughed and shook his head. ‘May I ask on what grounds, sir?’

‘Disobeying the commissioner’s orders and misconduct in a public office.’

‘Did the child abuser – sorry, Archbishop Malone – influence your decision?’ Barnes asked.

The deputy commissioner was losing his patience. ‘No, he did not. But he has made a formal complaint about your conduct and your hounding of Bishop Meade.’

‘And so the cover-up begins. You’re all as bad as each other.’

‘That’s enough, Barnes. Leave these premises now or I will have you forcibly removed!’ the deputy commissioner snapped.