Archer retrieves the phone from her coat pocket and sees several missed calls. Two from Klara, two from the hospital and three from Grandad’s mobile.

‘Shit!’

‘Everything all right?’ asks Quinn.

‘I was supposed to pick Grandad up from hospital this afternoon.’

‘We can head there now.’

‘There’s no time,’ interrupts Klara. ‘There are three new bodies in cabinets doing the rounds on the Internet. They’re trending under #LimehouseMolls.’

‘Jesus Christ!’ says Quinn. ‘He could at least give us time to breathe.’

Klara continues, ‘I checked @nonymous’s Facebook page, but there is nothing streaming there yet, which is odd.’

‘Perhaps he’s having a tea break,’ Quinn says drily.

‘I found the location. They’re at Duke Shore Wharf in Limehouse. Looks like we have a uniform presence there already.’

‘Put your foot down, DS Quinn,’ says Archer.

Quinn turns on the police lights and siren. Archer jolts backward as he increases the speed and weaves through the traffic.

Using her phone, she searches for the #LimehouseMolls and sees a distance shot taken from a bridge looking down at the water’s edge where the cabinets stand in a row.

‘Have the victims been named on the socials?’ asks Archer.

‘Not yet. There are no death shots or videos of anyone yet.’

‘Thanks, Klara. We’re on our way.’

Archer calls Grandad’s number. It rings for a moment before picking up. ‘Jake Archer’s phone,’ says an unexpected soft male voice. Unexpected but she recognises it all the same.

‘Jamie?’

‘Hi, Grace. Yes, it’s me. Jake is with the doctor at the moment.’

Archer touches her neck. ‘What’s happened?’

‘No need to be alarmed. He’s just getting a check over before he goes home. Are you on your way here?’

‘No . . . not yet. I’m running late.’

‘I can hear the siren. I’m assuming you’re a little tied up?’

‘You don’t know the half of it.’

‘Then don’t worry. I can take Jake home.’

Archer hesitates before answering. It’s a lot to expect from this stranger, but what choice does she have? ‘That would be so helpful, Jamie, thank you.’

‘Don’t mention it. I’ll hang around with him until you get home.’

‘You don’t need to.’

‘Doctor’s orders. He’s not to be left alone on his first night out.’

‘Ah, I see. Then I will come and rescue you as soon as I finish.’

‘No rush.’

‘That’s so kind. Thank you, Jamie.’

‘You’re very welcome. See you later, then.’

‘Bye.’

They arrive at Narrow Lane in Limehouse where two police cars block access to the riverside. Archer and Quinn grab forensic suits from the boot. As she unzips the plastic wrapping Archer overhears a male witness talking to an officer.

‘I saw three blokes in hoodies. Bold as brass they was carrying those things down there.’

‘Did you see their faces?’ interrupts Quinn.

‘No, they was wearing masks.’