‘Exactly. Metempsychosis, or transmigration of the human soul, has been documented time and again throughout history. Many societies still believe in its power.’ He shrugged. ‘I’m just initiating the process manually, choosing my destination, if you will, before it’s too late.’

Hawkins’ gaze drifted away as she began to understand. Joseph White wasn’t interested in killing his victims; he was trying to save himself. That’s why he wasn’t damaging the bodies: not because of some arcane spiritual rule, but because he wanted them intact.

For his own use.

White was still talking. ‘The plan was to set up here, then go and meet my next potential host. I already had someone lined up, but you and your friend saved me a job. As soon as your colleague’s body is vacant, before his organs start to deteriorate, I perform the ritual to initiate the transfer. My consequent arrival resuscitates the heart and I live on, reincarnated as per the ancient texts.’

‘Impossible,’ she murmured.

‘No.’ White must have heard her. ‘Not impossible, just unprecedented. Unlikely, perhaps – in fact I didn’t used to believe it myself, but when you’re faced with certain death, it’s amazing what you’ll try. Having nothing to lose is quite liberating, as it turns out. And once I have a technique that works, this isn’t just an escape from disease, it’s a pass to immortality.’

Suddenly his actions made sense. Until now, they had assumed his MO changed with each murder because he was using different ritualistic practices. But the truth was that he’d been experimenting, splicing techniques; fine-tuning his method after each failure. In search of one specific goal.

She looked over to find that White had turned back to Mike, and was now loosening the DI’s clothes, pulling his shirt open to reveal his chest.

Hawkins’ mind began to race. She had to cause a distraction, delay him somehow.

Think of something.

She tried to remember the exact message she’d left on Frank’s voicemail. She had asked him to meet them here, hadn’t she? But the memory seemed to jumble itself under scrutiny, dissolving into the maelstrom of confusion and pain.

But Frank might be their only hope.

‘What happens to your current body?’ she heard herself ask. ‘When you transfer.’

White reached for the defibrillator. ‘It dies.’

‘OK, and that death will be investigated. So how will you, as Detective Maguire, explain what happened?’