‘No, but it is to steal something from it,’ Jane told him. ‘We believe a silver cross may have been taken from the body.’

Lee was visibly shocked. ‘I know Barry can be an idiot at times but stealing from a dead nun is beyond belief. If it’s true, he’s never working here again . . . or any other site if I can help it.’

Boon heard the sound of a vehicle approaching and looked out of the window. ‘This looks like Dermot.’

Jane took him to one side. ‘Go and have a word, just to make sure his recollection of events is the same as Lee’s.’ She turned to Lee. ‘Is it all right if we wait here for a bit and see if Barry turns up?’

‘Sure, would you like a tea or coffee?’

‘A coffee, please. Just as a matter of interest, who was the elderly man who was with you earlier?’

‘He doesn’t work here, but he lives in one of the old convent flats.’

‘I know. But having spoken with him again this morning, I realised I don’t know his name.’

‘To be honest, I don’t either. I think he’s one of those nosey types who likes to know what’s going on.’

‘He seemed a bit angry when I saw him earlier,’ Jane said.

‘Probably because I told him to mind his own business when he walked in here asking about the coffin.’

‘Yes. Unfortunately, my colleague let slip why we were here yesterday.’

‘Milk, no sugar, wasn’t it?’ Lee asked.

‘Yes. Does Barry have access to a crowbar?’

‘The workmen have their own toolkits. He keeps his in his van.’

*

Boon was satisfied that Dermot’s account of events corroborated Lee’s version, and was about to go back to the Portakabin when they heard the sound of a vehicle. Boon turned to see a red minivan driving towards them.

‘Here comes the thieving bastard now,’ Dermot said.

The van suddenly stopped, then started to reverse back down the driveway.

‘Are you not going to chase after him?’ Dermot asked, surprised at Boon’s calmness.

Boon removed the radio from his pocket. ‘Papa Romeo five receiving, over.’

‘Yeah, go ahead,’ his colleague in the Hillman Hunter replied.

‘Block the red minivan that’s attempting to leave the building site.’

‘Received, Boony, we already got eyeballs on him.’

Boon ran to the Portakabin to tell Jane.

Barry saw the Hillman approaching in his rear-view mirror and hit the brakes hard, stalling the engine. Pulling up behind him, the two crime squad officers jumped out of the police car. Barry locked the door and tried to start the engine. One of the officers tapped the driver’s side window with his truncheon.

‘Get out of the car or I’ll break the bloody window!’

‘All right, all right!’ Barry shouted.

He flung the door open, hitting one of the officers and knocking him off balance. The other officer dragged Barry out of the car, forced him face down on the muddy ground and handcuffed him. Both officers then lifted him up by his arms and escorted him up the dirt path to where Jane and Boon were waiting.