The DI nodded as Hawkins turned to Aaron. ‘Speak to the latest victim’s family and friends. Find out whether the kid was into anything remotely spiritual, and if he ever used the same haunted chat room as the others, or sites like it, for that matter.’

She waited for Aaron’s agreement before going on. ‘Amala, stay on the website operators. I want records of everything the victims did on this Most Haunted site. And get the techs to scan their PCs for evidence of any conversations they took part in online, especially if they involve contact with the other victims.’

‘One last thing.’ She turned back to Hunter. ‘It looks like the victims are coming to the scenes willingly. Why would they do that?’

The profiler deliberated, then shrugged. ‘That’s a tricky one. I’d suggest they turned up not expecting to die, unless this is one of those weird internet things where the victims have some deluded fantasy regarding death. Otherwise, they were probably invited to those locations for some other reason. If they were of similar creed to the killer, it’s possible they were drawn in under some kind of spiritual pretext.’

Hawkins thought for a few seconds. ‘And as you say, we won’t fathom that one till we know what’s driving him. From what you’ve seen so far, should we expect further attacks?’

‘Unfortunately, Detective, that’s the thing with fanaticism.’ Hunter scratched his head. ‘Once someone’s bought in far enough to kill, it’s almost impossible to turn them back.’

36

‘Please.’ The kid coughed into the dirty carpet. ‘Not so tight.’

‘Try to relax.’ He looped the main ligature between the younger man’s wrists, wary that the restraints weren’t yet secure.

‘Can’t we do this without the ropes?’

‘They’re necessary,’ he answered, wrenching the knot tight. ‘For both our protection.’

The kid flinched. ‘I’m not sure about this.’

‘Keep still.’

‘Seriously!’ The younger man struggled, kicking his feet, trying to get free.

‘It’s too late.’ He knelt on the backs of the kid’s knees, hearing a pained grunt as his prey was forced to bend his legs at ninety degrees to relieve pressure on the joints. He picked up the second rope, started threading it around his subject’s ankles.

The kid had given up pleading and began to thrash.

‘Stop!’ he instructed, losing grip on the cord, which dropped to the floor. He reached after it, but as his fingers made contact the kid bucked, unseating him. He fell backwards, shifting his weight to steady himself. Freeing his victim.

The youngster rolled away, springing to his feet with disturbing speed. He whirled and ran for the door, feet slipping on the uneven surface. He tried to grab the kid’s clothing, but the youngster twisted, evading capture, although the cords binding his arms were still in place, unbalancing his escape attempt as he stumbled towards the exit.