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Jess re-entered the interview room. ‘Mary, I hope you’ve considered how much trouble you’re in. If you help us now, the Crown Prosecution Service will take that into account, they may even reduce your sentence,’ she said appealing to her.

She stared straight through Jess as if she wasn’t there.

‘Earth to Mary, do you understand what I said?’

She gave Jess a lacklustre nod. ‘But I’m innocent, the Lord is my witness.’

‘I’m afraid we don’t accept alibis from God, so it’s in your best interest to start co-operating as we now have more evidence to convict you.’ Jess said.

Looking to her lap, Mary nervously fidgeted with her hands. ‘What evidence?’

‘OK, do you take any prescription drugs, Mary?’

‘What’s that got to do with anything?’

‘Trust me, its relevant.’

‘Trust you, is that a sick joke. Just menopause patches, if you must know?’

‘You sure there’s nothing else?’ Jess probed.

‘Of course I’m sure, what’s this about?’

‘Well, my colleagues found an empty box of Temazepam in one of the charity bags in your cupboard. It’s a strong sedative.’

‘Sedative? I’ve never used anything like that in my life; someone has planted that in the bag, it’s nothing to do with me,’ she said in disbelief.

‘Really, just like the shoes that climbed out of one of the bags and walked back in the house. My patience is wearing thin, Mary. Dani and Gary’s Post Mortem toxicology reports show that both of them were injected with a tranquilizer dose of Temazepam before they were brutally murdered. So you can see how this looks to us, surely?’

Realising she was backed into a corner, Mary said. ‘No comment.’

‘Furthermore, can you explain why the biblical messages sprayed in red paint at both crime scenes match the pages missing from a Bible found in a cabinet in your spare bedroom?’ Jess opened her file and retrieved the print outs. ‘I’ll read them, shall I?’

‘Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done, and “The Lord said, torment will be part of the plagues upon evildoers.” I don’t believe in coincidences, this is just too compelling to ignore.’

Mary grew visibly defensive, her body tensed as she clenched her fists in frustration. ‘You’re mad; this whole situation is insane. The Bible clearly says thou shall not kill. I haven’t killed anyone how many more times do I have to say it?’

Jess sensed she was becoming delusional, seeking twisted comfort in her entrenched scriptures. ‘Well, I’m sorry but I don’t believe you, there is too much evidence to contradict your denial, which brings me onto the ledgers discovered in your loft: ledgers taken from Our Lady of St Patrick’s children’s home. Those document Father O’Malley’s cruel punishment of children at the home in 1985. Why did you save those, along with his confession diary, Mary?’

Jess continued to push her. ‘Admit it, you killed Dani and Gary because they found out about the abuse at the home, did they threaten to expose you, Mary?’

‘I haven’t killed anyone, how many more times?’ she said deflecting the question.

Changing tack, Jess said, ‘How long have you known Father Doyle?’

Mary’s face reddened. ‘Don’t drag him into this,’ she said defensively.

‘You haven’t answered my question.’

‘Several years.’

‘Be more specific?’

‘I don’t know maybe ten years or more.’

Jess glared at her, ‘Is that so, well we think you’ve known him longer than that. In fact, we now believe Father Andrew Doyle worked at Our Lady of St Patricks, alongside Father O’Malley, which would make him complicit. Admit it; they coerced you into helping them cover up O’Malley’s vile child abuse to avoid a public scandal of dragging the Catholic Church’s name through the media mire. I understand you were only young at the time; they took advantage of you, but as the years have passed, these revelations weighed heavy on your mind. Admit it, Mary?’

Mary paused in thought. ‘I’ve changed my mind I want a lawyer present.’

‘The woman’s in total denial of committing any crimes and now she’s decided to bring a lawyer in,’ Jess said frustrated. ‘What have the CPS said?’

‘Surprisingly, they’re saying we have enough to charge her,’ Rose said.

‘There’s a first. Any update on Father Doyle, Dan?’

‘I called the Drop-in Centre; apparently, he’s in Northern Ireland on church business, so I called the diocese in Armagh, but he’d left hours ago, and they don’t know where he’s staying. Sounds like bollocks to me?’

‘You reckon they’re trying to cover this up?’ Jess asked.

‘When I said we wanted to speak with him urgently in relation to a case, the priest I spoke with became cagey. Reading between the lines, I’d say they’re trying to buy time. I mean how can they not know where one of their own is staying?’

‘I agree. Mary’s only telephone call was to Doyle. Maybe he’s abandoned her. Get onto Armagh Garda, and explain the situation, ask if they’ll put out a wanted bulletin on their network?’

‘You can kick off Mary’s next round of questioning, with the lawyer present. Maybe she’ll be more accommodating to a man. If she doesn’t confess, we’ll charge her now we’ve got the green light.’