Merrick’s strength was his calmness in the face of the Irishman’s fury. He didn’t seem to care. If anything, he liked the attention and protested his innocence, claiming he loved children and could never harm one. Like Quinn, Archer has no doubt that Merrick’s definitions of loving a child and harming a child are on the wrong end of the morality scale, but is he really @nonymous? She isn’t entirely convinced he is the savvy killer they’re searching for, but knows better than to exclude him.

Archer takes a squad car and leaves the team to it, reaching Bloomsbury where the traffic has ground to halt with roadworks up ahead. She swears under her breath and takes a left, detouring past the Greek colonnades and grand portico of the British Museum where tourists swarm in and out of the great court. She pushes through the traffic, reining in her impatience. Her thoughts keep returning to Merrick.

He has never been convicted of anything. He has been caught loitering at schools, playgrounds and swimming pools and has offered sweets to children that he doesn’t know. As far as Archer is concerned, he is a ticking time bomb. It’s only a matter of time before he surrenders to his desires, if he hasn’t done so already.

The @nonymous case doesn’t fit his profile in any way, however, she is sure Merrick is involved in some capacity. Jordan Kelly is still missing and hopefully still alive. Merrick has a weak spot for pretty young boys and she is sure that Jordan is just what Merrick desires most. She feels her shoulders tensing at the thought and just hopes that the boy is safe and far from Merrick’s clutches.

Archer eases on the brakes as the lights turn red in Camden Town. She grips the steering wheel and considers the options. Does @nonymous have Jordan? Is he using him as a bargaining chip to get help from Merrick? If the team find him today then it will only be a matter of time before they know.

Archer has been demoted from the investigation and there is nothing more she can do than wait. For now, she needs to get Jamie to a safe house before the killer returns to finish his incomplete work.

Archer finds what seems to be the only available space at the hospital car park, a tight spot between a ludicrously bulky Land Rover and a white van, both of which leave her barely enough room to open the driver’s door and squeeze out.

Disgruntled, she makes her way to the ward reception where a male nurse with wire-framed glasses finishes talking on the phone. He scowls and slams the receiver down.

Archer presents her ID. ‘Hello. Detective Inspector Grace Archer. I’m here to see Jamie Blackwell.’

The nurse picks up a clipboard from the desk and pages through the attached paperwork.