‘If anything,’ continued Patrick, warming to his idea, ‘Edinburgh should be congratulating us that the toll wasn’t higher.’

‘That might be going too far —’ cautioned Cook, tugging at his waistcoat.

‘I don’t think so,’ said Patrick, taking a healthy slug of whisky. ‘You weren’t among them. You didn’t gauge the mood.’

‘Speaking of mood,’ said Bell, ‘it’s still volatile. Do you think we should offer the remaining accused some protection? I mean, we don’t want a repeat of what happened to auld Janet, do we? There’s no doubt, having those four women roaming about is making the townsfolk nervous…’ He looked to his peers for support. One by one, their eyes slid from his. ‘What if they decide to remove the lingering threat?’

‘I don’t think protection is necessary, William,’ said Patrick smoothly. ‘If we offer it to them, then we appear weak, as if we made a mistake locking them up in the first place. It’s not like they’re ordinary women.’ With the exception of Bell, the men chuckled and Patrick glanced at the picture of Jesus on the cross, noting the way shadows wavered across the painting, as if dark forces were trying to consume it. ‘Far better we let them fend for themselves. Lest you forget, they are witches, handmaids of the devil, indicted by their own mouths. If they can’t protect themselves, then what can we mere mortals hope to do for them?’

The spectre of Janet Cornfoot hung between them. No one dared to mention her this time.

‘Then we must at least move to arrest the men on that list immediately,’ said Cook, gesturing towards the page.

Patrick repressed a smirk. Imprisoning these men would take some heat off Cook. It would also make it appear as if the Weem council was dealing with matters.

‘Not only will having them in custody look good when the Edinburgh lairds arrive,’ agreed Patrick, ‘we can claim that by locking up the culprits we are protecting the remaining witches. Even you have to be satisfied with that, William.’

William Bell grunted while the other bailies beamed.

‘Can you see to that?’ asked Patrick of no one in particular.

‘You can leave it with us, reverend,’ said Bell after a beat.

It took some effort for Patrick not to make a sarcastic retort. It would be the first time he could leave anything to the council. An ineffectual, lily-livered bunch they’d turned out to be. Just as well he wasn’t afraid to take matters in hand. But then, unlike these men, he had God on his side.

It wasn’t until after the councillors left that Patrick took his dram to the window and gazed out into the mist-wreathed night. He was pleased with the decisions they’d reached. At least they had a sound reason for what happened, the names of the villains to give the authorities — it meant they would be regarded favourably.