‘The officer I spoke with said it will take a few days to trawl through the sixties females aged eighteen to thirty. He’d never heard of a nun being reported missing and he’s been working there for fifteen years.’

‘That’s an interesting point,’ Jane remarked.

‘What is?’

‘That he’s never heard of a nun being reported missing. If a nun did suddenly disappear from a convent it should have been reported, and would then in turn attract press attention.’

‘So, there might have been a previous investigation into her disappearance, years ago?’

‘It’s possible, if there were any suspicious circumstances, so we might get lucky with mispers.’

‘Not if it happened in the late 1800s or early 1900s. We can only go as far back as 1929 when the Missing Persons Bureau started. Plus, she may not even be from the convent,’ Boon replied.

‘Whatever the case we need to do all the necessary checks to try and find out who she is. When you were at the building site, did the manager mention what time they started work?’

Boon shook his head. ‘Not to me personally. Dermot asked if he should come in tomorrow and the manager said yes as there was a big brick and breeze block delivery. I think he suggested they start at seven thirty. Obviously Barry wasn’t there, so it’s unlikely he’ll turn up if he thinks the site is still shut down.’

‘The manager must have his home address, though.’ Jane worked out some timings in her head. ‘Right, I’ll meet you in the bottom lane by the site at seven. Get a couple of uniformed officers to come with you. Hopefully Barry doesn’t live far away. We should be able to search his premises in an hour or so.’

‘Why the rush?’ Boon asked.

‘I’ve got to be at DCS Barnes’s office in Orpington with my report by ten.’

‘I can deal with Barry if you want,’ he offered.

‘I know you could, but I’d like to be there and hear what he has to say for himself. You can make the arrest.’

‘Thanks, sarge. If Barry admits nicking the crucifix, you’ll have plenty of time to spare.’

‘Somehow, I don’t see him putting his hands up and saying, “Fair cop, guv.”’

‘Do you want any help with the report?’

‘No, thanks. You’ve done a good job today. Get off home and have an early night.’

‘Thanks, sarge. Sorry about the incident with the nun’s head.’

‘Don’t worry about it. I’m sure she didn’t take offence.’

Jane sat at her desk, put a piece of paper in the typewriter and opened her notebook. She noticed Father Floridia’s name and phone number and remembered she had promised to call and update him about the coffin. She leaned back in her chair and sighed. Jane realised she knew very little about St Mary’s Convent, or the practices of the Catholic Church, and Father Chris’s knowledge could prove invaluable in trying to identify the nun. She went to Stanley’s office.