Brian puzzled for a moment. “I think there was a boulder or something. She must have dragged it to the tree and stood on it before jumping off. The track’s still in use so it would have been moved to allow vehicles access to the site. Yes, that must have been it.” He nodded to himself before finishing the teacake in a second bite. “Forensics weren’t the power in the land that they are now. Whoever was first on the scene would have cleared the track for the emergency vehicles.”

“Who was first on the scene, do you remember?”

“Aye, Hamish. Hamish McKee. He was just a constable back then.”

“OK. Thanks, Brian, that’s been a help. Always good to hear first hand.”

“Glad I’ve been of assistance. Anything else I can help with just call, you know where I live.”

Corstorphine finished his tea and rose out of the chair. As he made his way to the front door he turned back to ask a final question. “The daughter, what happened to her?”

The old DI shook his head. “She was taken into care. No other family members came forward.”

“Where was that, Brian? Where did she go?”

The old DI hesitated as if he was searching his memory. “The old orphanage on City Road, the one run by the Sisters of Holy Mercy. Closed now, has been for many years.”

“Where did she go after that?”

Brian looked uncomfortable. “That’s something that has been worrying me all these years, James. She ran away after a few months, just vanished into thin air. We put out a nationwide alert for her, but she never showed up. I think her body must be out on the hills somewhere, poor lost lamb.”

“Thanks, Brian. I’ll let you know how we get on.” He raised his voice, calling out to Molly who was still clattering around in the back kitchen. “Bye, Molly, thanks for the tea.”

“Are you no’ staying, James?” A remote voice called back, “We’ll be having dinner soon, I can easily set another place.” She came into view, wiping her hands on a tea towel.

“That’s very kind of you, Molly, but I really have to be going. It’s all a bit mad at the moment.”