Maggie poked her head into Rupert's office. "If you look at my note, It's the local Bishop's address and telephone number. You need to contact his secretary to make an appointment.

He lifted the sheet of paper. "Thanks, Maggie. I'll make the call later."!

She laughed. "Do it now, guv, or you'll forget, or the sheet of paper will end up covered by the mess on your desk."

He smiled. "This is not a mess. It's organised chaos. But I will make the call."

***

Rupert parked in the visitor's parking bay next to the Bishop's residence. Unbuckling his seat belt, he said to Maggie. "I wonder how much rent he pays?"

"It comes with the job."

He laughed. "And I didn't know that."

She flashed her eyes. "There's a name for people like you, guv."

As he clambered out of his car, he muttered. "I know, but you dare repeat it."

At the double main door, he pressed the button marked bell. The moment it rang, a dog barked and began to growl.

A fair-haired woman dressed in a snug-fitting brown suit opened the door. She was also halfway through eating an apple. "Mr Parsons and Sergeant Bell."

"We have a ten o'clock appointment with the bishop."

Her eyes twinkled as she held up the apple. "Breakfast. I don't usually open doors, but the maid has the day off. I'm the Bishop's secretary or dog's body. He's expecting you, so I'll let him know you have arrived."

Rupert eyed Maggie and smiled. "We'll wait here."

"Please follow me. As I said, he's expecting you."

She tapped on the oak-panelled door at the end of the corridor and opened it wide. "Mr Parsons and Sergeant Bell."

A thin man wearing a dark blue suit stood and faced them. "I'm sure you are who you say you are, but can I see some identification."

Rupert removed his badge from his pocket and handed it over. "You can't be too careful these days."

Maggie flashed her warrant card.

"You're not a police officer, Mr Parsons."

"I used to be, but I retired from the front line. That is why Sergeant Bell is here. I assume you are Bishop Riddell."

"I am. You mentioned before one of our parish vicars, Ian Spence. Please grab a pew. How can I help you?"

Rupert and Maggie sat in the chairs before the Bishop's desk.

Maggie removed her notebook as Rupert asked, "How well do you know Ian Spence?"

The Bishop leant back in his chair. "You're no longer an officer of the law. So, I do not have to answer your questions."

"Bishop Riddell. My boss was a Chief Superintendent of police. I am here to support him. As a serving police officer, I could ask you to attend the station to answer these questions. The decision to answer is yours, but where is mine."

"Young lady, you're too young to understand."

Maggie wanted to scream but told herself there was no point. The man was an arse, and she couldn't change him. She breathed deeply and maintained her calm.

Rupert stood. "She might be Bishop, but I'm not. Sergeant, please inform the Bishop we require him to visit the station to answer a few questions. Oh, I would clear your diary for a day. I will take some time. Come, Sergeant, we're are wasting our time."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Mr Parsons. My hands are tied on giving private and personal information to civilians. Your Sergeant is a different matter."

Maggie smiled and muttered, "bollocks."

"I will see you at the police station, bishop," said Rupert. "I hope a letter from a senior officer will be enough. The interview will start at nine in the morning. Sorry, I am not able to advise on an end time. As a young constable, my mentor taught me to treat others with respect and kindness. The parable of the good Samaritan comes to mind. Sergeant, let's go."

"Mr Parsons. I cannot afford to lose a day answering your questions. Can we start again?"

"Rupert shrugged. "I'll ask the police officer. What do you think, Sergeant?"

Maggie's controlled her voice, but the look she shot at the Bishop, he failed to understand. "If we can get answers to our questions. Of course, sir."

"Let's not get our hopes up. Bishop, what can you tell me about Ian Spence, the vicar of St Andrews?"

The Bishop smiled a sickly smile. "I've met him at church fetes and work assessments. From his file, he appears to be capable and a good organiser. There have been no complaints that I know of. I doubt if he will advance far in the ministry."

Maggie leant forward. "Is he married?"

"What a strange question. He is, and, "he glanced at the file before him. The woman in question was a divorcee and managed the Woman's Institute in her village. Her name is Kathleen Wright, and they married over two years ago. But what has this to do with missing persons?"

Rupert smiled. "That information is confidential."

"Sarcasm is rather unoriginal, Mr Parsons."

"It is Bishop, but I was a police officer. Thank you for your time, Bishop. We will show ourselves out. I do not think we will be bothering you again."

The Bishop didn't stand. "Pleased I could help, Mr Parsons."

"You haven't helped us, said Maggie. "We have eliminated you from a rather long list."

"A list."

"Our list of suspects."

"And what was I suspected of?"

"Confidential, Bishop. You are no longer a suspect, so I wouldn't lose any sleep."

"Sergeant."

"Yes, sir."

We're leaving."

Maggie followed Rupert as he marched out of the room, neglecting to close the door. Maggie slammed the entrance door.

Once out of earshot, Rupert stopped. "The man is what he is: A pompous git. It's time we contacted Ian Spence."