Jane gave him a quizzical look.

‘I mean, you didn’t reveal to the bishop the nun was murdered. It also means DCS Barnes won’t be on your back.’

‘I’d prefer to describe it as a lucky escape,’ Jane said.

‘Whatever . . . it’s still a good result and Barnes will be pleased – even more so when you identify the nun. He rang me earlier for an update. He didn’t say anything about his grievances against the Catholic Church, but it sounded like he’s chomping at the bit to get a result on this case.’

Jane frowned. ‘I’m worried Barnes might be a bit too eager. What happened in the past might cloud his judgement. On the face of it Bishop Meade was very open and helpful.’

‘Believe me,’ Stanley said, ‘Barnes doesn’t rush anything. He’s always slow and methodical. If anyone in the diocese lies or tries to cover this up, he’ll give them enough rope to hang themselves . . . then come down on them like a ton of bricks.’

‘Will he tell the bishop it’s a murder investigation or does he want me to?’

‘He didn’t say, but my bet is he’ll want to do it.’

She nodded. ‘It looks like I won’t get a result on the nun’s identity until Monday or Tuesday. There’s not a lot more I can do until then, so should I take the weekend off as rostered?’

‘If you want. Did you ask the bishop if a priest had worked at the convent?’

‘No. It might have made him suspicious. The archives will have a record.’

‘Might be worth asking Father Floridia.’

Jane hesitated. ‘There’s a slight problem there . . .’

‘Jesus Christ, don’t tell me you’ve managed to piss off a priest as well!’

She frowned. ‘He’s not pissed off with me. He just doesn’t want to assist me . . . for now.’

‘Spit it out, Jane. What did you do to upset him?’

She told Stanley about Father Floridia’s reaction when she suggested a priest or nun might have been involved in the murder.

‘Sounds like Barnes is right about the clergy being in denial,’ he remarked.

‘I don’t think he’s in denial,’ she said. ‘I just think as a priest himself, he finds it hard to accept.’

‘That’s no reason to blank you. Do you think there’s more to it?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘He could be stonewalling you because he’s hiding something?’

‘I don’t think so. He suggested a layperson, who worked at the convent, might have been responsible, but if that was the case, you’d expect the Mother Superior or one the other nuns to have reported her missing. Unless they thought our victim had just upped and left of her own accord.’

‘That’s possible, but unlikely. How’s it going with Missing Persons?’