‘I’ve two thoughts here. One, Meade simply phoned Father Floridia and asked if he could speak with him at the presbytery. Two, Meade asked if he could use the presbytery to meet Becky Rogers in private.’

Stanley nodded. ‘Now you’re making sense. Do you think Father Floridia could be involved in Becky’s disappearance?’

Jane sighed. ‘I very much doubt it. Father Chris has helped me from the start of this investigation. Meade told him not to talk to me and he put his job on the line by doing so. Maybe Meade went there to discuss our investigation and see if I’d been in contact with him.’

‘Why would Meade go all the way to the presbytery when he could just as easily ask over the phone?’

‘I agree, that’s odd. However, there are a lot of prying eyes and ears in Archbishop’s House,’ Jane suggested. ‘But if Becky did go to the presbytery, I don’t believe she would have come to any harm there.’

‘You can’t be certain of that,’ Stanley said, opening the phone book and picking up the phone.

‘Who are you calling?’

He started to dial a number. ‘The presbytery. I want you to speak with Father Floridia, ask him if he’s spoken with Bishop Meade recently and gauge his reaction.’

Jane put her finger on the disconnect button. ‘I’ll do it, but face to face.’

‘Take Boon with you,’ Stanley said.

‘No. I need to go alone. I’ll know if he’s lying.’

‘Just because someone is nice, it doesn’t mean they are not dishonest. Meade being a prime example.’

‘I know that, but Father Chris isn’t like him or Malone.’

‘Sounds like you’ve got to know him well in a short space of time,’ Stanley remarked.

‘I consider him a friend,’ Jane said.

Stanley raised his eyebrows. ‘Just a friend?’

‘Yes,’ she said, frowning. ‘And I resent your insinuation.’

*

Jane knocked on the door of the presbytery. Father Chris opened it, looking pleased to see her.

‘Hello, Jane. What brings you to my door?’

‘I’m here in an official capacity. I need to ask you some questions about Bishop Meade.’

His smile faded. ‘You’d better come in. Is Bishop Meade not willing to talk to you?’

They walked through to the living room.

‘I’ve some bad news about Bishop Meade.’

Father Chris looked concerned. ‘Has he been arrested?’

‘Bishop Meade is dead, Chris. He hanged himself in Archbishop Malone’s office this morning.’

Chris slumped onto the sofa, a stunned expression on his face.

‘I was one of the officers who found him.’