‘You’ll be charged with Theft and Outraging Public Decency. If I were you, I’d plead guilty, but don’t be surprised if you get a custodial sentence,’ Stanley told him.

‘Prison! For stealing a poxy little cross!’ Barry exclaimed.

Stanley shook his head in disgust. ‘I’ve dealt with all sorts of criminals in my career . . . but even the worst of them would never steal from a dead nun.’

*

‘How’d it go?’ Jane asked seeing Boon and Stanley walk into the CID office.

Boon did a thumbs-up. ‘Full confession, signed and sealed. He definitely took the cross.’

‘What about the missing knife?’

‘He’s adamant he only stole the cross. Interestingly, he remembered that the nun’s hands had been placed together like she was praying, and the wooden cross and beads were in between them. I noticed the same thing when we opened the coffin. Strange thing for someone who just murdered her to do.’

‘Not if the person who did it was religious as well, I suppose,’ Jane remarked.

Stanley nodded. ‘That’s a good point.’

‘The Church must keep records of the nuns and priests who worked and lived at the convent,’ Boon added.

‘I’m going to the diocesan head office this afternoon with Father Floridia. We’re meeting the bishop,’ Jane said.

‘I know. Barnes phoned me earlier after your meeting,’ Stanley said.

Jane turned to Boon. ‘You know Barnes wants us to keep the nun’s murder quiet for now, don’t you?’

Boon nodded. ‘The guv told me before we interviewed Barry.’

Jane told Stanley about her conversation with Sam Pullen and Richard Eaves’ offer to do the facial reconstruction for free.

‘We might not need it if you get a result identifying her from the initials on the cross,’ he said.

Boon put the cross on Jane’s desk. ‘You might want to show this to Father Floridia and the bishop.’

‘Anyone know where the Bromley Council offices are?’ Jane asked.

‘Just down the road in the Civic Centre at Stockwell Close. It’s literally a two-minute walk,’ Boon told her.

‘I need you to go their planning department and make some inquiries. You might want to take some notes of what we need.’

Boon removed his notebook and pen from his pocket. ‘Fire away.’

‘Only tell them the builders uncovered a coffin, and we’ve yet to open it. Ask if they have copies of the original plans and layout of the old convent. I also need copies of the plans and documents relating to the new flats and current building works. They may also know whether or not the grounds are deconsecrated.’

‘Is that important, under the circumstances?’

‘Barnes wants to know,’ Jane said, knowing Barnes didn’t really.

‘Anything else?’ Boon asked.