Hawkins sighed and checked her watch, not having wanted to get caught up here. She should have been at work an hour ago, coordinating the investigation into the latest murder. Finding out who their victim was. Instead she was here, probably about to be subjected to some kind of spiritual enlistment session. She picked up her drink and sniffed the light brown liquid before taking a mouthful.

Whatever was in the cup, it wasn’t coffee, and Hawkins spat the herby, over-sweetened fluid back into the cup just as the other woman re-entered the room.

‘What do you think?’ Julia retook her seat, nodding expectantly at the cup, clearly not having seen her guest’s reaction.

Hawkins made a non-committal noise that suggested respectful deliberation, and set her mug down. ‘What is it?’

‘It’s a mixture of chamomile and roast dandelion root, which contains natural glucose, but I added some organic sweetener, too. The best part is that it’s completely caffeine-free. Isn’t that incredible?’

‘Really, no caffeine or sugar?’ Hawkins tried to keep the disgust from her expression.

‘It’ll help cleanse your aura, too.’

‘My aura?’

‘Yes.’ Julia took a lungful of the steam coming off her concoction, shutting her eyes. She took the daintiest of sips and savoured it for a few seconds before looking back at Hawkins, visibly appraising her visitor.

‘You’re really pretty,’ she said after a moment. ‘But your chi’s all misty. A Reiki massage can do wonders for that, you know. I’m almost trained, if you’d like to try.’

‘Thanks, but we aren’t allowed to accept massages on duty.’ Hawkins cast eyes at the black-covered book now in her host’s grasp. ‘Did you find something?’

‘Oh.’ Julia’s tone was slightly wounded, but then a smile fought its way across the lower half of her face. ‘Never mind.’ She hoisted the tome on to her lap and began flicking through it. ‘I definitely know the symbol, but I can’t remember what it means.’ She slowed her search, flicking the last few pages back and forth before settling on one. ‘Show me the photo again.’

Hawkins picked up her phone, unlocked the screen and held it out to her.

‘Yeah, that’s the one.’ Julia’s gaze flicked between the two images. ‘Where did you see it?’

Hawkins hesitated. Under normal circumstances she would have explained that it was simply part of an ongoing enquiry; that details couldn’t be discussed at this stage. But circumstances were far from normal. ‘It was found at a murder scene early this morning. Under a body.’

Julia’s eyes widened, a mixture of shock and sadness crossing her face. At last she cleared her throat. ‘Then I suppose the symbol sort of makes sense.’

Hawkins shook her head. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Oh, right. Sorry.’ Julia hefted the book around so that Hawkins could see the printed image. ‘Top left.’