Patrick Cowper clapped his hands together. He needed to take control of the situation before these weak men capitulated to Bailie Bell’s suggestion and sent to Edinburgh for troops to subdue the townsfolk.

When he was certain he had their attention, he turned towards Gerard Stuart. ‘Tell us again what happened after they —’ Cowper swallowed, ‘after they placed the door on her.’ Gerard might be injured, but he was the only one to adopt a semblance of calm amidst the turmoil.

Gerard cleared his throat. ‘They hardly placed it, reverend — they slammed the fuc—’

‘I said,’ Patrick stared at him firmly, ‘after.’ The last thing they needed was a recount of the bloody goings on outside the Lawson house. He could only pray the soldiers and guards they’d mobilised managed to control the rampaging men.

‘As I said before,’ sighed Gerard, swiping a dirty fist across his forehead. ‘They carried the body of Mrs Cornf— I mean, the witch, about the streets. My guess, they were in search of any others they might —’ he hesitated.

The reverend waved impatient hands at him. ‘Then what?’

‘They returned to Nicolas Lawson’s house.’ He glanced at his brother. ‘It’s our belief that they intended to either frighten or even capture Sorcha McIntyre and Nettie Horseburgh and inflict the same punishment upon them. They were… unhappy they tried to interfere earlier, you ken. Prevent them from finishing Mrs Cornf— the witch — when they had her by the shore.’

The bailies murmured. William Bell was shaking his head. Robert Cook poured himself another dram and drained it.

‘But they weren’t there,’ said Patrick blankly.

‘Nae, reverend. There was no sign of them. All that remained were the family of Nicolas Lawson and some friends of Janet Cornfoot.’

‘Did the men try and find Mrs McIntyre?’

‘Mrs McIntyre?’ snapped Bailie Bell. ‘Why are you so concerned about her?’ He swung to Gerard. ‘It’s Janet Cornfoot we need to think about, not the blasted McIntyre woman or Nettie Horseburgh or any of the other accused. Where’s the body now?’

Gerard Stuart shifted his feet uncomfortably. ‘Far as I know, it’s where the mob left it, sir. Back on the cobbles where she died. Me and Angus, we thought about moving her, but didn’t ken where we should take her.’ His eyes sidled to his brother’s. ‘She’s not in a good way.’

‘An’ she be a witch,’ added Angus.

‘Indeed,’ said Patrick quickly, clamping a hand on Gerard’s forearm to shut him up. He faced the bailies. ‘Would you they brought the body here?’

There was a swift response. ‘Nae. Nae.’

‘Where then?’

‘The Tolbooth or the cave,’ answered William Bell. He lowered his head. ‘They shouldn’t have left her on the street. Not where anyone can see her — the bairns, the women. It’s not right.’