Rafferty smiled uneasily to himself as his glance took in the comfortless room. Isn't this cosy? 'Perhaps, Mother,' he suggested, as he turned back to the Prioress, 'you can let me have a list of the sisters' religious names, along with their original names, dates of birth, last known addresses and family details? I shall also need to know the identity of anyone who had easy access to the con—monastery.'
Mother Catherine's previous serenity was certainly beginning to fray, and was clearly tested by his first request. Rafferty became aware that Mother Catherine's gaze, fixed on him from behind the tinted lenses, was now troubled, as if recent events were finally sinking in. And she commented in a voice, which, although still firm, he could now detect the tiniest tremor of strain, 'Surely,
