‘No idea,’ Connie said. ‘But you’d have to assume all options are open. What we should avoid, at all costs, is interrupting his fantasy. That’s his no-go zone. Anything or anyone who gets in his way will be disposable or replaceable. He’s chosen each person for a reason. They’re playing a role. Particularly Elspeth. To suggest he has a mother fixation is kind of trite when it comes to men offending against women, but I believe she’s the lynchpin. He’s either reproducing a mother or wife figure, or he’s trying to create one he never had. Either way, I’d put money on his own mother no longer being alive, and on him being single. Critically, his fantasy has to remain intact.’

‘All right. We’ve heard the psychology, but there are more important practical considerations. How much time do we have, and how do we find him?’ Overbeck asked.

‘In terms of time, you should assume not much. Angela Fernycroft was murdered nine weeks ago. Elspeth was kidnapped five weeks ago. As to how we find him, we have to change a crucial element of his offending pattern. He’s unconcerned about being seen, acting with impunity. I need to know more about him to tell you how to find him. That means opening a dialogue. I’d like to do that tonight.’

Overbeck ignored the crowd and walked between bodies until she was just inches from Connie.

‘But you said we shouldn’t interrupt the fantasy. You don’t think that announcing to him that he’s being hunted will burst his twisted little psycho-bubble?’

‘Not if we play along with it,’ Connie said. ‘No threats, nothing that changes his sense that he’s in control and that this will all play out exactly the way he wants it to.’

‘All right, Dr Woolwine,’ Overbeck said. ‘Hold your press conference. We’ll organise the cameras and get you a platform. If he’s that deluded, though, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be watching or listening.’

‘He’s still linked to the real world somehow,’ Connie said. ‘He’s been going out, researching, stalking, checking his facts and interacting. If Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier are all still alive, he’s also feeding them and caring for them. That’s a commitment. If we can get my message on enough screens, fill the headlines with it and bombard the press, then he’ll see or hear it somewhere.’

‘You said, “If Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier are still alive”,’ Overbeck said. ‘You should know that I don’t like the word “if”, Dr Woolwine, but I just don’t have your natural optimistic personality. Angela Fernycroft was brutally murdered in her own bed.’

‘Yes, but you have to remember—’

‘While I talk, your lips need to remain firmly sealed, dear,’ Overbeck said.

Connie shrugged and perched on the edge of a desk.