‘Nice work.’ Hawkins studied the sheets: various screenshots from the Most Haunted site. ‘Remind me to send the techs deluxe keyboard covers for Christmas. Is this how they met?’

Amala grimaced. ‘We don’t know. There are no saved transcripts, so it isn’t even clear if they talked to each other. Roger contacted the operator, but they don’t take personal details for membership, so people just use made-up nicknames like Spooky Dude 123. They’re having to search their records by IP address.’

Hawkins sighed. ‘How long?’

‘They aren’t sure, ma’am, but I’ll keep chasing.’

‘Fair enough.’ She summarized, ‘Either way, this is a significant step forwards, so well done, everyone. But I also think we have to acknowledge what the evidence is telling us. With the symbol found at the latest scene, at least two of the original victims’ probable visit to Cold Christmas church, and now their common membership of that forum, it looks more and more like this whole thing is connected in some way with, what’s the term, spiritualism?’

There were several reluctant nods.

‘What does that mean, ma’am?’ Chris asked. ‘Are we saying there’s some kind of supernatural force involved?’

‘Ah, man, give it a rest.’ Frank nudged Aaron; rolled his eyes at Hawkins. ‘Where did you get this wazzock?’

Chris rallied. ‘I’m just saying, maybe that’s why there’s no damage to the bodies.’

‘But didn’t forensics find evidence of defibrillator use?’ Amala asked.

‘No.’ Chris came back even faster this time. ‘They found evidence of electric shocks. That could mean a defibrillator, but it could also mean something else.’

‘Something else?’ Aaron joined in. ‘You mean like the undead?’ He held up his arms like a zombie and moaned.

‘Look,’ Hawkins cut them off, ‘for now let’s stick to the vast probability that our murderer’s human, and that he’s using a defibrillator as the evidence suggests. He’s killed four people so far, and we have no idea why. What interests me right now is understanding his motivation, and why he’s using this symbol.’ She turned to Hunter, who was watching events with a look of mild bewilderment. ‘Any thoughts?’