‘So, as you say, you’re most likely looking for a man or men. Serial killers tend to target Caucasian women, which fits with your victims. But in terms of anomalies, it is unusual for a serial killer to remain so organised over such a long period of time. The discipline required would lead me to believe you have a single killer. If it were a pair, one of them would most likely have broken ranks at this stage. Most repeat murderers, as many of you know, tend to escalate their crimes – seeking the rush of the kill more frequently. But that’s if they’ve taken their victim with the sole intent of ending their lives. If this man is abducting women and holding them captive for a period, their deaths might not be the end goal. He might want something else from them – sexual gratification, torture, or even just their company. The deaths might come about because they’ve served their purpose or refuse to comply.’

Linda stood, her tall, thin frame striding over to the display wall. She held out her hand for Michael’s marker.

‘May I?’ she asked Tom, indicating the board.

‘Go ahead.’

‘Right, then. The crime scene you’ve found shows signs of careful planning and organisation. That would indicate the killer is older and has a high IQ. He’s most likely burying them in that same spot for a reason. Maybe he works there and can visit their graves regularly?’

Linda turned to the board and wrote:

Single Caucasian male

Older 35+?

Strong/fit

Glendalough resonates

‘We have a theory as to why he’s chosen that location,’ the inspector said, and explained the idea that had struck him when he’d stood at the lake with Laura.

‘Yes, the religious symbolism of Glendalough could be relevant,’ the psychologist agreed. ‘His way of making peace with the victims and himself. The proximity of the actual cemetery might mean something. Also, there’s a round tower in the monastic settlement. That has fairytale connotations – sleeping princesses, that sort of thing. The fact that he gave them all gifts, the bracelets that you mentioned, would imply that he does care for his victims, in his own warped way. Perhaps they remind him of somebody and that time of the year is the key.’

This time she wrote:

Lost a loved one in spring? – Abandoned? Divorced? Murdered? Accident?