‘I’m on a bit of a high, to be honest,’ he said. ‘I don’t feel tired. Shall I start on the plans or the paperwork?’

‘Whatever suits you,’ Jane said, with a smile.

‘Documents it is then . . . or should I do a report on the Barry May arrest and my visit to the planning office first?’

‘Do the report. DCS Barnes will no doubt want to read it on Monday. I’ll take the plans home with me and have a look at them over the weekend,’ Jane told him.

*

By seven the office was empty apart from Jane and Boon. She’d finished her report and looked up to see how he was doing. She tried not to laugh, watching his head fall forward and jolt up again as he struggled to concentrate and stay awake whilst typing his report with two fingers.

‘You nearly finished, Boony?’ she asked in a loud voice.

He quickly sat upright. ‘Nearly, sarge. I’m on the last paragraph.’

Jane went to the store cupboard in the corner of the room and removed a large exhibits bag. She picked up the plans from Boon’s desk and put them in the bag.

‘Do you want me to look at the building documents over the weekend?’ Boon asked.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll do it,’ she said, picking up the folder and putting it in the exhibits bag.

‘I know what to look for,’ he said, sounding offended.

‘I’ve not got anything planned for the weekend so I’ve plenty of time to spare. No doubt you’ll be playing football for the Met.’

‘That’s true,’ he said. ‘We’ve got a game against Essex police tomorrow. Inter-police games are always bloodbaths.’

‘Don’t get yourself injured. I need you on my team, fit and healthy.’

‘I’ll be fine,’ he grinned. ‘Do you reckon Barnes will form a full murder squad?’

‘I think he’ll have to. So far, everything points to our victim being murdered between 1958 and 1965, when the convent was sold. That time span means whoever killed her could still be alive.’

‘I hope Barnes puts me on the squad.’

‘I’m sure he will. He’s already let you continue working on the investigation with me. Your knowledge of the case works in your favour. It’s also useful to anyone else who comes on the team. Have a good weekend and I hope you win the game. Be here at eight on Monday morning and we’ll go over everything before the meeting with Barnes. Then you can head off to the magistrates’ court for May’s first appearance.’

*