Chris looked upwards. ‘Where were you, my God, when he needed you most?’ Then he bowed his head. ‘Eternal life grant unto him, O Lord, may perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace. Amen.’ He made the sign of the cross, then looked up at Jane. ‘What is it you need to know?’

‘Did Bishop Meade phone you yesterday?’

‘Yes, he said he needed to speak with me and asked if he could come to the presbytery.’

‘Can you remember what time he called?’

Father Chris thought for a second. ‘About quarter to two, I think. Then he came here just after two.’

‘Do you know how he got here?’

‘I assume it was in a taxi cab. He asked me to call one when he was leaving.’

‘And what time was that?’

‘Just after seven. What’s this all about, Jane?’

She told Chris about Becky Rogers and her unexplained disappearance.

‘I have to ask you this, and please don’t take it the wrong way. But did Becky come here to speak with Bishop Meade?’

‘No. He never even mentioned her name while he was here. I can assure you Bishop Meade had nothing to do with her disappearance.’

‘What did Bishop Meade want to speak to you about?’

Father Chris sighed. ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you, Jane.’

‘Why not?’

There was sadness in his eyes as he looked at her. ‘Roman Catholic law forbids me disclosing what was said during a confession.’

‘Meade confessed to you?’

‘If I break the sacred seal of confession, I will be excommunicated from the Church.’

‘But this is a murder investigation. And a young woman has gone missing.’

‘That makes no difference. I can’t tell anyone what Bishop Meade said, not even the police, no matter how serious the crime is. I shouldn’t even disclose the identity of a penitent who has confessed.’

‘We know Bishop Meade lied to us. I have evidence that suggests he had been in a relationship with our victim. If he didn’t kill her, I suspect he knew who did.’

‘You have to believe me, Jane. Bishop Meade did not kill Sister Melissa.’

Jane knew only Meade could have told Father Chris her name.

‘Can you tell me who did?’

He looked forlorn as he shook his head. ‘There’s no point in continuing this conversation. My answer will always be no.’

‘Now Bishop Meade has killed himself, he will be seen as a murderer who could no longer bear his guilt. Surely you want to clear his name.’

‘I don’t want to argue with you, Jane, but I beg you to keep this conversation between the two of us.’

Jane sighed. ‘I understand your position in the eyes of the Church, but if you know who killed Sister Melissa and don’t tell me, you’re letting whoever is responsible get away with murder.’