Corstorphine smiled grimly at the archaic legal language; he’d heard it all before.

“There is also the allegation that the children at the orphanage were, to your certain knowledge, regularly sexually abused by people that you knew well, and that you took no action against them.”

“No comment.” The solicitor started packing his bag and motioned Brian to stand.

“And it has also been alleged that Mr Simon Battle was framed for Grievous Bodily Harm with your knowledge and connivance to prevent him from telling the truth about the orphanage.”

Hamish looked towards Corstorphine for guidance as Rankin and his solicitor started making their way towards the door. Corstorphine continued unhurriedly. “Finally, we have evidence that the death of June Stevens in 1997 was not a suicide, and that you wilfully misrepresented her death in order to prevent the prosecution of Oscar Anderson for her murder.”

They were almost running by now, the duty sergeant’s panicked expression a response to his inability to decide what he should do. Corstorphine held a hand up to stop him from interfering with their leaving.

“And that the murders of June Stevens, Oscar Anderson, the Minister of St Cuthbert’s and Sheriff Anthony McCallum are as a direct result of your criminal inaction.”

Brian Rankin’s shocked face looked back at him as the news hit home. Corstorphine leisurely made his way to activate the door release, only for them to almost collide with Frankie and Bill McAdam leading three previous members of the Survivors gang into the station. Three additional witnesses who also had the opportunity to put the old DI behind bars.

The duty sergeant stared in confusion as the three of them filed in, each one taking a good hard look at the old DI as they walked past him, understanding in that single glance that they now held the power.

“That went about as well as I could hope for,” Corstorphine said conversationally to no one in particular. “Hamish, put our guests in the cells with the doors unlocked. I’m sorry, we have nowhere else to put you for the moment. You’re not under arrest and can walk out at any time.” He held his hands up to stop the clamour that greeted this statement. “Quiet. Listen to me. You of all people know what it’s like to have no-one to turn to, no-one to listen to you. William Booth has freely given a statement about everything, and I mean everything, that went on in that orphanage. If you can spare the time to let us interview each one of you then we might see some justice in this town, starting with getting your old friend, Simon Battle, released from wrongful arrest.”

“There’s nothing you can do, not while the sheriff is still in charge.” Margo’s voice cut across the crowded room.