John Bathgate

The Manuel Legacy John Bathgate

Conceived in crime, controlled in life, confused in death

During the celebrations for VE Day 1945 in Coventry, a young girl is abducted, raped and abandoned, in a comatose state. Later found to be pregnant she goes to Ireland where a son is born. She later moves to Glasgow with her son. Unaware of the identity of his father, the son, Jim Doyle, quickly shows the same criminal tendencies, but evades the police-until becoming involved in the death of a civilian while serving as a paratrooper. Although cleared of any crime a fellow Scot, Military Police sergeant Tom Mitchell, suspects Doyle is a potential violent character. By coincidence the two men come together again in Edinburgh where Doyle opens a Karate club. Tom Mitchell joins the club, seeking confirmation that his suspicions were correct. When Tom's sister becomes attracted to Doyle, he sets out to check on his background while Doyle progresses to rape and murder. The story, set in and around Edinburgh reveals the anguish experienced by Doyle over the identity of his father, and the cunning mind behind his crimes. Tom`s search discloses many shocking secrets. In the end, the two men come face to face at the top of Salisbury Crags, part of Edinburgh's spectacular extinct volcano, knowing that one of them must die. The final scene reveals the most chilling secret of all.