“The minister of St Cuthbert’s died yesterday morning when the church bell fell on him. We’re at an early stage in the investigation, but I can tell you the timbers holding the bell in place had been sawn through deliberately.”

“What’s this got to do with Oscar, sir?” PC McAdam voiced the question they all wanted to ask.

“That’s what we’d like to know, Bill. I can’t give you any more detail at the moment, truth is we are as in the dark as the rest of you, but there are common elements to both deaths that make me believe there is a strong link. Do any of you know of any connection, however obscure, between Oscar and the minister?”

The small group looked at each other, puzzled expressions and shaking heads giving Corstorphine the answer he had been expecting.

“OK. Keep a lid on the rumour factory, I don’t want word getting out that we think there’s anything connecting these two for the time being. At the same time, see what you can find out about the both of them, just in case there’s something that can help us in the investigation. That’s all. I don’t want to hold you back from your work.” Corstorphine held out an arm to stop PC McAdam from leaving. “Bill, we need to pick up this gamekeeper – John Ackerman. I want you to accompany Frankie and bring him in for questioning.”

“I understand, sir.” McAdam turned towards Frankie. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“No time like the present, Bill. We’ll see you in a couple of hours, sir.”

Corstorphine watched them leave and realised the sergeant was still in the briefing room. He stood awkwardly, as if some internal and unresolved conflict was occupying his mind.

“What is it, Hamish?” Corstorphine quizzed the desk sergeant.

Hamish indicated Corstorphine’s office. “Do you mind if we talk in there, sir?”

“No, of course not, come on in.” He shut the door behind the sergeant and motioned him to take one of the spare seats. Corstorphine sank into the old leather chair as the sergeant started speaking, each word carefully considered before the next word could appear.

“There may be a link, sir, but I’m not sure if it’s going to be of much use to you.”

“Anything you can give me at this stage is a bonus, Hamish. I’ve damn little to go on, and don’t hold out much hope that this John Ackerman is going to fill in any of the blanks for us. What’s on your mind?”

The sergeant shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the frown on his forehead deepening. “When Oscar was five years old, he’d just started school. Well, he was the same as all the other kids as far as I could tell. I used to go around the local primary schools introducing myself as the local bobby, and I remember Oscar because he wanted to try on my helmet – almost lost him in there!” Corstorphine smiled in encouragement, he had no idea where this story was going but he listened patiently.