Kelly ran her theory past Ted as they approached the hospital, explaining all the circumstantial evidence they had so far: the athame, the positions of the bodies, the element symbols, the letters from The Teacher, what she’d found out about the importance of the pentacle… The map, and Johnny pointing out the quarry near Birkett Mire.

‘You need something solid tying it all together. Otherwise, there’s no way of telling if someone is out there plotting still, or it was two single unrelated targets.’

‘I don’t buy that,’ Kelly said.

‘Neither do I, but you’re talking about investing scarce resources; like any department on a tight budget, you’ll have to justify yourself. What did Demi Cramer say?’

‘She’s on board. She wrote a book on The Teacher, and bagged a few interviews. I never want to experience that again.’

‘It sounds awful, I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.’

Ted had never met Amy Richmond but had autopsied all of her victims, or what was left of them. The image of him removing a piece of paper from the thigh of one of the victims had never left her.

‘Here we are.’

Kelly parked and they made their way to the mortuary. She’d come prepared and armed with a large, warm jumper to go over her blouse. She’d also brought some scented oil for under her nose. It seemed only hours since she’d been here last time with him. She was now familiar with where the gowns were stored, how many times Ted checked his equipment, as well as his personal routine before he commenced the grim operation. She never tired of watching him, and witnessing his subtle habits of walking around a cadaver and tapping his chin. The photographer was ready, as was Ted’s assistant. They all waited until Ted opened the body bag. Kelly had come to associate the slow grating sound of a zip with this very moment, and today was no different. The first glimpse of a corpse always made her catch her breath and she had to fight to keep back tears as she thought of Carry’s family. A formal identification had already taken place and Kelly was glad that it wasn’t her job to accompany families when they did so. It was hard enough being on the informing party, and she’d done plenty of those. As a SIO, she no longer carried out that heartbreaking task, but she counselled and mentored those who did.

When she looked at the body of Carry Tomlin, what struck her most of all were the bites. It was clear, now they were away from the shores of the reservoir, and in a place of quiet and sterility, where one had no choice but stare at them, that they were caused by an animal.

‘Probably canine,’ said Ted. They were all over her arms and legs, and there were a few on her face.