‘Just text me when you’re on your way back,’ Claire had said with a forced smile, ‘and I’ll be waiting for you.’

McNab too had chosen not to accompany them but had seemed relaxed about Magnus going. Rhona had been given the impression that he was glad to see the tail end of the professor, who’d apparently been observing an interview McNab and DS Clark had been conducting. Emma, on the other hand, had greeted Magnus with great warmth. It had been Magnus, together with Rhona, who’d persuaded McNab to acknowledge the child’s role in the earlier investigation.

Magnus had to sit in the back, so that Emma might sit next to Rhona, although no one spoke as they headed southwards out of the city. The rain came on to match their mood, streaming the windscreen, with the only sound being the soft thump of the wipers.

As they began their climb up onto the moor, Emma roused herself, as though in preparation for what was to follow. Rhona couldn’t imagine what was going through the girl’s mind, but couldn’t dismiss the thought that, by bringing her here, she might be making Emma relive her previous trauma.

A quick sideways glance revealed the opposite. Emma, alert now, wore the determined look Rhona remembered.

The rain had stopped by the time they took to the dirt track that led to the excavation site. As a watery sun broke through the clouds to fashion a rainbow, Rhona couldn’t help but wonder, if it was a sign of luck, what that luck might mean. That Emma wouldn’t locate another body nearby? Or, alternatively, that she would?

Rhona parked in her usual place, and they all climbed out. The rain clouds were now scurrying across the sky, hurried by a brisk wind. Underfoot was muddy and a walk through the sodden heather wouldn’t be a pleasant experience.

Rhona glanced at Magnus. How did he want to play this?

Picking up on her signal, Magnus indicated with a nod towards Emma that they should leave it up to the girl to decide.

It seemed Emma had done so already.

‘I’d like to be taken to where you found her.’

Rhona nodded. ‘Okay. If you’re sure.’

Rhona led the way, followed by Emma, with Magnus bringing up the rear. The path she and Chrissy had made with their trips back and forth to the forensic van was still visible, and taking it again now brought an instant recall of what they’d unearthed in this place.

The lochan came into view first, its peaty waters brightened by rays of sunshine, then a glimpse of a tattered crime scene tape that had broken free from its moorings.

Rhona halted for a moment, until all three of them were together.

‘The grave is a little ahead. It’s not been filled in,’ she warned. ‘That’s distressing in itself, plus—’

‘It’s okay,’ Emma said firmly. ‘I’d like you and Magnus to wait here. It’s better if I go on alone.’

Rhona glanced at Magnus and he gave an almost imperceptible nod.