‘Look how many views she’s had already,’ said Gabriella over the top of Madison’s voice. ‘Over a million. It’s only been up for an hour! I got a call from Constable Darren Cahil, the search controller, saying there’s been carloads of people showing up at the lookout track. It’s a nightmare. They need to preserve the tracks in case there’s evidence that’s been missed, but a lot of them are going vigilante. In this weather, it’ll be a miracle if we don’t lose any searchers.’

The video had continued, showing some footage of three of the girls – Georgia, Cierra and Jasmine – from the back seat of their school bus, apparently on the first morning of the camp, Madison introducing each of them through voiceover. The music was quite stirring.

‘Why did these girls fight?’ muttered Con. ‘What was it about?’

The video cut back to Madison in her bedroom. ‘I only have a little bit of footage of Bree – we were good friends last year, but things changed after Denni . . . But we did film a project together at the start of last year, for Health. I’ll upload it tonight. Please, keep all four of them in your prayers, and if anyone is able: please please please come to Limestone Creek. Join the search . . . bring our girls home . . .

‘I know that some of you don’t believe in . . . in the Hungry Man. But, once upon a time, five girls went missing in these same mountains, and they were never heard or seen again. I can’t . . .’ Her voice broke and she needed a few seconds to calm herself. ‘I believe he’s real. I think the Hungry Man is back. Don’t let the Hungry Man take four new victims. Not only for these girls, but the girls of the past. We’ll take back the bone of the bone man. We need to stop the Hungry Man.’

And then the video was over.

After several long moments, Gabriella said, ‘Thoughts?’

‘Too many to list,’ murmured Con.

‘My vote is the Hungry Man is back.’

‘What did she mean about the bone man? Is that another name for the Hungry Man?’ Con was scrolling through Madison’s channel. ‘Damn. She really has over a million subscribers.’

‘And it was only 700 000 just yesterday. It’s only going to grow. Especially as the Hungry Man stories start to get around again. The notes from the station this morning said there were reports of some families with young girls who are packing up and leaving the area entirely.’

Con clicked on one of the videos at random and scrolled through the frames. It showed Cierra and Madison, sitting on the same bed, doing each other’s make-up. They were scantily clad in silk pyjamas.

‘They’re very pretty girls . . .’ commented Gabriella.

‘Pretty enough to take?’ wondered Con, an uneasy feeling growing in his stomach. His mind slipped back to Sydney and the Jaguar case.