William stood uncertainly, exchanging a worried glance with Frankie who shrugged in return. They trooped out of the interview room and followed Corstorphine down to the cells. He stopped in front of one of the doors, slid back the peephole and motioned for William to look inside.

William froze when he saw who was locked up and made to speak, until Corstorphine signalled him to keep quiet. The peephole cover was closed and they re-entered the interview room.

“You’ve banged up the old DI?” William’s incredulity showed in his voice.

“Like I said, William, we’re on your side. But we need your help – and from anyone else who knew what went on, if we are to put those responsible behind bars for a very long time.”

William sat in his seat with a stunned expression on his face. His understanding of a world that ran to an immutable set of rules, where those in power took what they wanted with impunity, had just been shattered. The implications of what this could mean, what it did mean to him and the others began to sink in. He’d read about other orphanages; other children being abused. It had never occurred to him that the truth could ever be revealed, here in a town so tightly controlled by the abusers. Threats had been enough to keep him silent, threats and the powerful people behind them. Could all of that be about to change? He looked at Corstorphine properly for the first time, tried looking beyond the policeman to see the man underneath. Frankie obviously trusted him and that settled the question for Booth. He nodded just once, a quick, decisive movement directed at Corstorphine.

“Interview resumed at 8:09 a.m. What can you tell us, William? Are there any other children who were at the orphanage we can contact?” Corstorphine felt the first glimmer of hope since the first murder had occurred, the first encouragement that he might be able to crack this case wide open before the door was bolted shut.

“Speak to Simon, Simon Battle. He’s in Barlinnie.”

“Aye, we’ve already got him on our list, William. Is there anyone else we can talk to?” Frankie pushed harder.

William shook his head. “Everyone else got the fuck away as quickly as they could. I would if it wasn’t for my shop. No, speak to Simon. He was set up by the sheriff to keep him quiet. There’s nobody going to risk speaking whilst that bastard’s running the courts.”

“The sheriff’s dead, William. We found his body yesterday evening. Believe me, you’ve nothing to fear, but we need to know what you can tell us. Help us to help you.”

William sat with a stunned expression. “The sheriff? What? Murdered?”

Corstorphine and Frankie both nodded as he looked from one to the other.

“How? What happened to him?”