Doctor Calm is the name the media have invented for Yin’s abductor, a fancy villain name for a monster who can’t be stopped. I try to read the report, take it all in, but my head swims.

Sarah follows up quickly with the video of the press conference. I put my headphones on and the quilt over my head.

Senior Detective Zambesi, the head of the newly-named Operation Panopticon, speaks as cameras flash around him and microphones cluster. He has a craggy, Hollywood-handsome face and the reporters love him.

‘As you’re aware, Karolina Bauer attended the same school as Yin Mitchell for a period of one year as an exchange student. We can now confirm that an earlier case, that of Emma-Maree Jones, also has connections to the school. That young girl had her name on a waiting list to attend the school when she reached Year Seven.’

Petra was right.

One of the reporters asks a question, but it’s hard to hear what she’s saying.

‘I can’t comment on any other cases,’ replies Zambesi.

‘How many abductions or assaults do you think Doctor Calm may be responsible for?’ another reporter asks.

‘That’s your name, not mine.’ Zambesi’s mouth tightens with annoyance. The reporters clamour for attention but he holds up his hand.

‘Our main objective today is to tell you what we know about this man. He is between the ages of thirty and fifty, with medium skin tone. He is of average height, or tall with a slight stoop, and of average build. He is highly educated and well spoken. He may be in a prominent or respected position in the community, and it’s possible he has a job in which he travels frequently. Friends or family will know him to be a gentle and reserved person, and would be shocked to learn he is capable of violence.’

‘Make no mistake, we are looking for an extremely dangerous criminal. His methods are thorough and he may have some knowledge of police procedure. We are looking for an unusually intelligent individual who will not stop until he is caught.’

He calls an end to the press conference, even though the reporters are still wetting their jocks and yelling out questions.

I sit on my bed and let it sink in. I wasn’t expecting them to describe someone so completely bland. Beige beige unusually intelligent beige. A forgettable man with an unforgettable name.

I shut the computer. I try hard not to be sick.