But over time the pictures grew more graphic, the self-harm more severe, showing photos of wrists and thighs oozing with lines of blood, some videos actually showing the act of self-harm – razor blades, Stanley knives, kitchen knives. The wounds grew deeper and bigger, the words of support fewer. Black humour crept in.

‘At least I’ve got good knife skills now. I’m getting As in Home Economics.’

‘I thought of a good one: Just call me Bloodpunzel, because I let down my blood whenever boys get in my hair.’

‘Don’t even remember doing this one lol. Stings like a bitch.’

Con sat back and looked at the ceiling, feeling faint.

Why is this triggering you? They’re not even dead. You’re stronger than this.

‘Show me,’ said Murphy.

‘I’m not sure you should —’ began Pastor Hugh.

Murphy took the phone off Con, his face turning pale behind his beard as he swiped through the screenshots. ‘What the hell is wrong with these girls?’ he breathed. ‘It looks like a competition . . .’ After a long moment, he said, ‘Which one of these is Jasmine?’

‘MountainLion,’ said Yani.

‘No . . .’ moaned Murphy. He put the phone down on the desk and pressed the heels of his palms to his eyes. ‘I can’t believe I didn’t know.’

‘Tell Con why you left the group, Yani,’ said Gabriella.

‘Because . . . it was because of Denni King,’ said Yani. ‘We all thought she was getting better, like, her mental health, and then she . . .’

‘She was in this group?’ said Con, taking the phone back.

‘Yes. She was VoodooQueen,’ said Yani. ‘I wanted to go to the police, I wanted to tell them about how the club might’ve been part of Denni’s suicide, but then Madison found out . . . She has photos of me. Nude photos. She gets them from all the girls before they can join the Honcho Dori Club, as insurance. And then she shared one . . .’ Yani’s cheeks turned an even more brilliant red.

‘Does Madison have something over Jasmine?’ asked Murphy.

‘The same as the rest of us. Nudes. Secrets.’ Her voice grew hurried. ‘You can’t trust Madison. She’ll use anything against you. She kicked me out of the club, she started spreading rumours about me . . . I can’t defend myself, because if I do she’ll ruin my life . . .’ Tears rolled down her cheeks.

‘Yani, thank you. You’re doing something really brave and it’s going to help us a lot,’ said Con. ‘Gabriella, send me those screenshots and I’ll —’

‘No,’ said Gabriella.

‘Excuse me?’

‘Yani doesn’t trust anyone else to have them. Only me.’ Gabriella sounded apologetic, but Con could see right through it. ‘And since I’m not on the case anymore . . . I don’t have to do what you tell me.’

‘You got kicked off the case?’ said Murphy.