‘That’s some story, Grant, but you don’t seem to have too much evidence to back it up. There’s an awful lot of theory.’

‘That’s why I need a favour. I want to examine the bullets from the Boyle murder but at this stage I want to keep it private. It’s the charge today so I don’t imagine anyone will be referring to them. I need you to authorise their transfer into my custody. If the result is negative, no one need ever know. There will be nothing to know.’

‘And if the result is positive, which is fairly unlikely?’

‘You will get all the information. It’s not for me to decide what to do with it.’

‘What do you really think?’

‘I just don’t know. That’s why I want to do the tests.’

‘To say the least of it, this is pretty irregular.’

‘I appreciate that. I’m not doing anything illegal or underhand. I’m trying to do my job.’

‘Should we try to halt the trial or at least delay it?’

‘As you said, there is no evidence. I can only speculate till I have some facts.’

There was a pause while Scott mulled over all that he had heard.

‘OK, Grant. Obviously I trust you. When we both end up in the shit you won’t try to run away?’

‘No chance.’

‘Meet me at the High Court building at half-past eight. I’ll make the necessary arrangements.’

‘Thanks. I owe you one.’

‘Almost certainly.’

Yet again the public gallery was packed. The level of commotion indicated that the watchers anticipated they were about to witness something momentous – eventually. When the defence arrived to take its place at the table, the Crown team was already seated. It had an additional member. A new face. As Gallagher was brought into the dock, Anderson leant over to Muirhead.

‘What’s Bill Scott doing here?’

‘I was just wondering that. I didn’t know he had any interest in this case – till now.’

The entire company was brought to its feet by a cry of ‘Court’ which greeted Lord Cowden’s entry onto the bench. His Lordship settled into his chair, turned to face the jury, waited for silence, then the gravelly voice began.

‘Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you have now heard all the evidence and the speeches on behalf of the Crown and the defence. Shortly you will retire to consider your verdict. Yours, not mine.