Walking back to the station, Jane felt flattered that Nick Durham had found her attractive and wanted to have dinner with her. Although he was handsome and seemed charming, she wondered if he was like some of the men she’d met in her life – a chancer who only wanted to get her into bed. Whatever his intentions, she knew she’d have to speak with him again and she had to admit she was looking forward to that.

Crossing the yard, Jane stopped by her car and put the brochures on the passenger seat, before going to the CID office.

‘Is Boony about?’ she asked a detective who was writing a report at his desk.

‘He’s in the charge room with DI Stanley interviewing that low life who stole the nun’s cross.’

She remembered Boon telling her Sam Pullen had tried to contact her. She looked in the message book for Sam’s number, then went and sat at her desk and dialled it.

‘Hi, Sam, it’s Jane Tennison. Sorry I didn’t get back to you earlier. I’ve been out of the office since yesterday.’

‘That’s OK. I just wanted to let you know that I spoke with the anthropologist Richard Eaves. He’s agreed to examine the nun’s body and do a facial reconstruction.’

‘I’m sorry, Sam, but DCS Barnes said no to using him. He thinks it will cost too much and the reconstruction could lead to mistaken identifications.’

‘That’s a pity. Eaves said he’d do it for free.’

Jane was surprised. ‘For free?’

‘Yes. The university gave him a research grant this semester. He was quite excited when I told him about the mummified nun. He wants to use the case as part of his research and development in facial reconstruction.’

‘That’s fantastic news, Sam! I owe you a large drink.’

‘I’ll hold you to that. I was going to take Eaves to the mortuary this afternoon to have a look at the body. Will that be OK?’

‘Yes, it’s fine by me, though it will be up to DCS Barnes whether or not we use it. How long will it take to do?’

‘A full clay reconstruction can take a few weeks. He’ll need to take the head back to his lab and use the skull for the reconstruction.’

‘Does that mean he has to take the remaining facial tissue and adipocere off?’

‘Yes.’

‘I’m not sure the diocese would be happy about that.’

‘It doesn’t matter what they think. It’s a murder investigation. I’ve already spoken with the coroner and he’s fine about Eaves working on the skull. I’ve also arranged for Dr Martin, the forensic odontologist, to examine the nun’s teeth and take photographs for a comparison with any dental records you might find.’