“If only. You’d better come through.” He led the way to the interview room, started the recorder and continued, “Joined by Mr Wallace Sweeney, solicitor, at 9:27 a.m.”

The solicitor made a show of pulling his own recorder out of his briefcase and extracting a folio pad and pen which he arranged carefully in front of him. “Do you mind?” He indicated his personal recorder.

“Mr Wallace Sweeney has requested that he independently record this conversation with his client. Request granted.” An audible click sounded loud in the room as the solicitor turned on his device, then settled back in his chair with watchful eyes on the detective.

“Brian Rankin, can you describe your involvement with the Sisters of Holy Mercy Orphanage that used to be situated on City Road?”

Brian and his solicitor exchanged a sharp look before the solicitor nodded imperceptibly.

“I only ever attended the orphanage in my official capacity as a serving member of the local police. There were, sadly, occasions when a child might pass away through illness, and we had by law to investigate in case there were any grounds for prosecution. None were ever found.”

“There were never any deaths that weren’t reported?”

“Of course not. This was a caring, Christian community – not some third world ghetto.”

“So, there’s no way any deaths could have occurred without either yourself or the allocated doctor being made aware?”

“No, of course not!” Brian said in exasperation.

The solicitor placed a restraining hand on his arm. “Where is this going, detective? My client hasn’t been charged with anything and is helping you voluntarily. We are within our rights to leave at any time.”

“Please bear with me, your help is much appreciated.” Corstorphine glanced at his watch, calculating how long it would be before the other witnesses showed up. “Let me get straight to the point.”

“At last!” The solicitor exclaimed with all the theatricality of someone used to performing in court.

Corstorphine ignored him. “We’ve had an allegation, a written and signed statement from one of the orphanage children who was resident at the time you were a regular visitor.”

Corstorphine read from the notes he had hastily written during the previous interview. “He states that you were aware of at least five children who died at the orphanage and whose bodies were buried in the grounds, against common law. He says he was present on one occasion when two of the children’s bodies were inspected by you and that he remembers seeing you being physically sick at the sight.”

“This is preposterous.” Brian managed to blurt out, before being cut off by his solicitor.

“My client does not have to sit here and listen to meaningless allegations. If you have no corroborating evidence – which will be the case since you haven’t been able to charge my client – then this interview is terminated and I am advising my client to answer no comment from here on in.”