‘You don’t think it’s suicide either then?’

‘I think from what you have told me so far then I have to be open to the possibility it isn’t a suicide. It’s strange timing for her to do it. She was essentially off the hook with us, as annoying as that is. Maybe she did feel guilty about what she accused you of, but she had already stated that she was in danger. We can’t just ignore that or pretend she didn’t say it.’

‘What do I do now then?’

‘Go through what we have already compiled on the case. After that, you can keep running through for any connections between Mitchell, Coley, Sager, Norris and Watts. That’s five bodies; we simply cannot allow anyone else to die.’ DCI Kapoor paused. ‘I don’t understand how Coley is connected, considering he was at a completely different university. I suspect if you track back far enough you will be able to find a connection between the professors. Maybe if we find out when it started we can find the final professor. Look for any leads on Beacham; I have a feeling he either knows what’s going on and has disappeared to keep himself safe, or he is in it up to his neck and he’s in hiding – from us.’

‘Or he’s already dead,’ Adrian said.

‘I love your unrelenting optimism, DS Miles.’ DCI Kapoor waved him away and he left her office and went back to his desk.

The files on Sager and Norris were already lying next to his computer. He was more concerned with the other murders though. Understanding why Parker had killed Mitchell, Coley and Lassiter was key to finding out who was next. Maybe there was some kind of society or club they all belonged in together with Norris. In Adrian’s mind, this game must have started as a conversation, which meant they must have all been in the same place at the same time at some point. Not only that, but they must have been close enough to even broach the subject with each other, most likely with prolonged contact. At some point Coley must have been with the others; Adrian was sure that was the key to unravelling this mystery. Maybe finding out when the game started was another possible key to figuring out who was next on Parker’s kill list.

Adrian’s phone vibrated on the desk. The number was blocked.

‘Hello. This is DS Miles. Who am I speaking to?’

‘Detective.’

It was Parker, even from those few syllables, Adrian knew. He was well spoken but his voice was soft, low. Adrian looked around him to see if anyone was looking.

‘What is going on? You need to tell me.’

‘I’m sorry about the girl. It wasn’t me.’

‘I didn’t think it was.’

‘I doubt it was suicide either.’

‘Do you know about the game? Do you know who killed her?’

‘Not yet. I think it was a student, but I haven’t yet figured out who the final puppetmaster is. His identity seems to be the best kept secret of all.’