A mysterious smile hovered on Sorcha’s lips. ‘Because I’ve the means to end this persecution once and for all. To ensure we’re left alone and that the reverend will never threaten us or our loved ones again.’

She had Nettie’s full attention now. ‘What? You saw him making a pact with the devil?’

‘Just as good.’ Sorcha laughed at the expression on Nettie’s face. ‘You asked what took me so long to get home? Well, I decided to go via the harbour and, as you’re wont to do, turn up Cove Wynd. Happens I saw Reverend Cowper. Guess what he was up to?’

Nettie shrugged. ‘Running naked among the tombstones?’

‘Nae,’ chuckled Sorcha then grew serious. ‘He was releasing the prisoners from the Tolbooth.’

Nettie’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped. ‘Get away with you. He was not.’

‘Och, he was. I also saw him give them money and tell them to get away from Pittenweem as fast as they could.’

Nettie flung herself back in the chair and stared, a smile slowly forming. ‘So, the bastard’s finally shown his true colours.’ At once, her features altered. ‘But why would anyone believe you over him? After all, you be a woman; a witch too, remember?’

‘Cowper might call me a witch, but even I can’t magic prisoners out of the Tolbooth. God knows, if I could, I would have made us vanish all those months ago. Nae,’ said Sorcha as Nettie’s mischievous grin reappeared, ‘this time the evidence speaks for itself. Forget Beatrix, if the guards should go in search of one of these prisoners, I’m sure it wouldn’t take much for them to confess who it was released them, let alone why. The reverend’s afeared of what they’ll tell Edinburgh… what their stories about what happened the night Janet died will reveal about him.’

Nettie gave a whoop and jumped out of her chair. She began to pace. ‘You ken what this means? If word of what he did reaches the city, the reverend’ll be for the stocks.’

‘Or worse,’ nodded Sorcha. ‘Breaking the law, releasing felons the officials ordered the council arrest, and when a delegation from the Weem was in the city as well. He’ll lose the kirk.’

Nettie spun around. ‘He could lose his life.’ She mimicked being hung.

They both nodded gravely as Nettie lowered her fingers.

The possibilities stretched between them.

‘Does he ken you saw him?’

Sorcha shuddered, remembering her fear of being discovered, how close he was to her. ‘I don’t think so. But he’ll know once I confront him.’

Nettie frowned. ‘Confront him? Are you sure that’s wise? I mean, I understand we have to use this information, but shouldn’t you wait? Inform Edinburgh first?’