‘Keep moving, we’re nearly there . . .’ Pullen said, trying to ignore him and concentrate on what she was doing.

Boon, startled by Stanley’s entrance, froze on the spot. As the others kept shuffling along there was a grating sound followed by a pop as the nun’s head, still in the veil and wimple, came away from her body. Jane, Pullen, and Lloyd glared at Boon.

Boon started to retch as he put the head on the mortuary table.

‘Shit. Sorry, Sam, I forgot to tell you DI Stanley wanted to attend the PM,’ Jane whispered.

After the nun’s body was placed on the table, Sam winked at Jane before turning to Stanley. ‘Ah, DI Stanley, a pleasure to meet you.’ She took off one latex glove and shook his hand. ‘I’m Dr Pullen, the forensic pathologist on this case. DS Tennison informed me you would be attending. I thought I’d get the body laid out on the table so I’d be ready to start when you got here. Perfect timing, wouldn’t you say?’

‘Sorry, I thought you’d started,’ an embarrassed Stanley replied.

‘Well, we can, now you’re here,’ Pullen said, putting her glove back on.

‘Stanley, how are you?’ Lloyd asked.

‘Teflon, what you doing here?’

‘I’m your lab liaison DS.’

‘I heard your injuries had rendered you unfit for front line duties. Didn’t expect to see you in this role, though,’ Stanley said.

Lloyd smiled. ‘I figured it would be less traumatic. After all, dead people can’t shoot you.’

Stanley took Lloyd to one side saying, ‘I’m a DI now. I don’t mind you calling me Stanley when it’s just the two of us, but when there’s junior ranks present, I’d prefer guv or sir.’

‘No problem,’ Lloyd said. ‘I like to be called Lloyd now and not Teflon, if you don’t mind.’

Stanley laughed. ‘Why? You’ve been known as Teflon for years.’

‘Unlike you, I like my Christian name. However, if you want to call me Teflon, I shall call you Evelyn.’

Stanley frowned. ‘I told you that in the strictest confidence. It’s not my fault my parents liked Evelyn Waugh’s novels.’

‘You told me that when you were pissed, and I haven’t told anyone . . . yet,’ Lloyd grinned.

‘All right, point taken,’ Stanley replied.

Lloyd took some photographs of the body then examined the interior of the coffin for any further forensic evidence but found nothing. Dr Pullen examined the head, whilst Jane showed Stanley the X-rays and pointed out the injuries.

Stanley shook his head in disbelief. ‘After the attempted strangulation, the poor woman must have been terrified when she woke up in the coffin.’

Jane sighed. ‘As awful as it sounds, I’d like to think the stabbing killed her instantly. To be totally paralysed, unable to do anything as you watch your killer slowly close the coffin lid, is unimaginable.’

Stanley nodded. ‘Whoever did this was clearly determined to kill her.’

‘Will you be forming a murder squad?’ Boon asked brightly.