She scanned the first sheet. ‘This one was sent by William Tennent to Colin Wilson, the day after their visit to the church at Cold Christmas.’ She read aloud. ‘ “I’m afraid. They will find us wherever we go. What are we going to do?” To which Wilson replied: “Don’t panic, they’re just trying to scare you. We’ll be OK.” ’

She lowered the transcript. ‘This clearly shows that the original victims considered themselves to be under threat. Of course, they could be talking about the drug ring operating through Streatham Motors. But we still have nothing to suggest that either Tennent or Wilson had any connection to the garage or the gang. So, what if that wasn’t the source of their distress?’

Frowns.

Hawkins turned her laptop towards her audience. ‘We found out today that the latest victim maintained this blog about the supernatural. It details his research on the subject over the last few years. Overall the tone is intrigued, but sceptical.’ She scrolled to the top of the web page being displayed. ‘Except a month ago it changes, when Lewis describes attending a party where a Ouija board was being used. He came away believing that contact had been made with some kind of spectre; one that subsequently attached itself to him. His last entry talks of needing help to free himself.’

Amala looked up from her notepad. ‘Are you suggesting they were frightened of … spirits, ma’am?’

‘Pack it in, both of you,’ Frank interrupted before she could answer. ‘These lads aren’t being murdered by bloody ghosts. I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous.’

Hawkins replied calmly, ‘No one’s suggesting that, Frank. But what if these people thought they had been … possessed somehow? We know they all believed in the paranormal; hence their allegiance to various supernatural groups. If the first three victims were convinced that some kind of evil spirit had attached itself to them following their visit to Cold Christmas church, as Lewis Rudd obviously did following his séance, who would they go to for help? Not medical science, for sure. They’d turn to someone inside the fraternity.’

Amala held up her phone. ‘I just did a quick internet search, ma’am. Apparently, the concept of spiritual or demonic possession has existed for centuries in almost every major religion.’

Chris added, ‘And it’s a big part of the folklore surrounding Cold Christmas church. All the websites I found say the place is haunted; that people regularly see apparitions there, so it isn’t much of a stretch that some people might come away from the place pretty spooked.’

‘OK.’ Frank again. ‘What’s the killer’s motivation, and why isn’t he damaging the bodies?’

Hawkins looked at him. ‘Maybe he doesn’t see it as necessary.’