Линда Ла Плант - Unholy Murder

Jane was dumbstruck as she realised Nick had seen her with Father Chris.

‘It was you, wasn’t it?’ Nick asked, accusingly.

Jane let out a big sigh. ‘Yes, it was, but you’ve misread the whole situation. The man you saw is Father Floridia. He’s the priest at St Mary’s. I didn’t kiss him... he hugged and kissed me. It was one small parting peck on the cheek — but believe me, I was as shocked as you were.’

‘Then why were you touching his arm?’

‘He’d been helping me with the investigation. He was upset about Sister Melissa’s murder — so much so that he was questioning his role as a priest. I was just trying to comfort him, that’s all.’

‘Why did he kiss you then?’

‘It was a final goodbye. He’d been told by his superior not to speak to me again. We both thought it best we didn’t have any further contact. He wished me well with the investigation and kissed me on the cheek. I was surprised because I didn’t think it was the sort of thing a priest would do.’

‘Exactly! You must have encouraged him.’

‘This is ridiculous! I did nothing to encourage him.’

‘I don’t believe you.’

‘Well, it’s the bloody truth! If you don’t believe me there’s nothing more to be said and we may as well end our relationship here and now!’ Jane snapped.

Nick was taken aback. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.’

‘Well, you have. If you want this relationship to work, we need to trust each other.’

‘I know. I’ve been a complete and utter idiot.’

‘Yes, you have, by jumping to the wrong conclusions. If I’d told you about Father Floridia, then I suppose none of this would have happened. I wondered why you were being so off with me on the phone.’

‘My head was all over the place. To be honest, seeing you with another man was like a flashback to some really bad memories which made me panic and overreact.’

‘What were they?’ Jane asked, knowing it was to do with his wife.

‘I’m divorced. I was married for two weeks then my wife ran off with my best man. I’d never suspected for one minute she’d been having an affair with him. At the time I felt so humiliated, I became depressed and didn’t go out socially for a long time.’

‘That’s awful. Why on earth did she go through with the wedding?’

‘She said she was confused and didn’t know what to do. She thought she still loved me but realised, after the wedding, she didn’t. The truth is, Brenda didn’t give a toss about me before or after the wedding. What also hurt was a friend of mine suspected the affair but didn’t have the guts to tell me. I know if I’d been in his position, I would have said something.’

‘I’m so sorry, Nick... you didn’t deserve to be treated like that.’

‘I shouldn’t have doubted you, Jane. Stupidly, I thought the priest must be your boyfriend. I even wondered if you were using me to find out more about the building site and convent. Can we put this behind us and move on... or would you rather I just left?’

Jane knew she ought to be honest, but couldn’t bring herself to tell Nick she had initially considered going out with him to learn more about his father. ‘I understand now why you reacted like you did. If I’d been in your shoes, I’d probably have felt the same.’ She reached out, took hold of his hand, and drew him closer. ‘I want to move on in our relationship, Nick Durham. So you can leave... but not until the morning.’

When Jane woke, Nick wasn’t there. She was anxious, until she saw the note he’d left on the pillow.

You truly are a sleeping beauty. Didn’t want to wake you as I know you must be tired after the long hours you’ve been working. Have to be at a site survey for 8 a.m., so need to pop home and get changed. Thank you for being so understanding. I will never let my past come between us again. I think I’m falling in love with you, Jane Tennison... Love, Nick xxxx

Jane smiled, and as she got ready for work, a warm glow stayed with her. She arrived at the incident room just after eight. It was already full, as officers on the inquiry completed their reports for the meeting with DCS Barnes. She checked the fax in-tray for the Canadian odontologist’s report and quickly scanned it. He was in no doubt that Melissa Bailey was the victim. Although it wasn’t in itself a big step forward, it would allow the coroner to release the body to her parents and they could take her home. It was a sad thought, but in some ways comforting that after years of heartache they could finally lay her to rest and know she was at peace.

Jane sat at the desk opposite Boon who was reading over their report.

‘Morning, Boony. Anything you want to add to the report?’

‘No, it looks fine to me,’ he replied with a hang-dog look.

‘You all right?’ she asked.

‘I got stood up by Becky. I sat in the effin’ pub for an hour waiting for her.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry. Maybe something important came up and she couldn’t get hold of you?’ Jane suggested.

‘I tried calling her, but there was no answer. I thought she might have gone out with her flatmate instead... or another bloke,’ he said glumly.

‘Have you tried ringing her at work?’

‘Yes, but she’s not in yet. I knew it was all too bloody good to be true. I feel like she’s just used me to get information about the investigation.’

‘I doubt that’s the case. Becky did take you to meet Annette Gorman, which led us to Julie Dorton and Sister Margaret, after all.’

He perked up a bit. ‘I guess so. I’ll try calling her again after the meeting.’

Jane told him about the foxglove seeds.

‘Bloody hell. As if strangling and stabbing Melissa wasn’t enough. The foxglove stinks of Mother Adele’s handiwork.’

‘Not necessarily. She might have warned others about the danger of handling or digesting the plants, thus innocently passing on her knowledge — possibly even to Meade, who was a regular visitor to the convent.’

‘Fair point,’ Boon said.

‘I spoke with Melissa’s father in Canada last night,’ Jane said. She told Boon about her conversation with Lawrence Bailey.

‘So, Meade also lied to him about knowing Melissa. The evidence against him is definitely mounting.’

‘Interestingly Malone’s name came up again last night,’ Jane said. ‘Meade told Mr Bailey that Bishop Malone signed a dispensation and the Church couldn’t help him find Melissa because she’d renounced her faith. If Malone was involved in a cover-up about her disappearance it has to be because he knew what happened or was directly involved — plus it would take at least two people to move the coffin.’

‘The pieces of the jigsaw are falling into place,’ Boon smiled.

‘Hopefully. I got a confirmed ID the body is Melissa.’ Jane showed Boon the dental match report.

‘That’s good news, sarge. I’m glad you found the Baileys. You’ll have brought them some closure.’

‘ We found them, Boony. We brought them that closure. This is a team effort. You’ve played a big part in this investigation and raised some interesting points others didn’t think of. You are going to make a good detective. I’m looking forward to doing your annual report.’

Boon looked scared. ‘Now I’m worried,’ he said.

‘Is Stanley or Barnes in yet?’ Jane asked.

‘Barnes isn’t. Stanley’s in his office reading a copy of our report. He said he doesn’t want to be disturbed. I think Stanley’s worried Barnes might be taken off the case.’

‘Between you and me, he’s only got himself to blame if he is. He let his emotions get the better of him when he interviewed Meade. Then the way he spoke to Archbishop Malone was naïve for a man of his experience.’