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Sorry, Elin, no more levers I can pull, I’ve tried. Fire and rescue are still in the process of evacuating, but they’re nearly there. A few hours, I’m hoping.”

“But Farrah’s still missing.” Elin hears the desperation in her voice. Things have changed. Surely Anna understands that. “We need more resources, to search.” Her gaze moves to the window. The glass walls opposite are streaming with rainwater, the movement blurring with the shapes of the staff around her, distributing a makeshift dinner of sandwiches and fruit.

“I get it, but there’s nothing I can say except sit tight. We’ll be with you as soon as we can.”

“Okay. I’ll keep in touch.” It takes all her willpower to drive some positivity into her tone. Moments like this—and there are always moments like this in an investigation—when things don’t go your way: this is when you show your mettle. She needs to draw on the strength she felt earlier.

“Guess it’s a no-can-do?” Steed says heavily as she says goodbye.

“For now, yes. They’re still underwater. Looks like we’re in for a long night.”

“At least we’ve got a plan.” But the confidence in his tone is belied by the concern marring his face.

He’s scared too. Doesn’t want to show it.

She nods. “First, we need to speak to what’s left of the Leger group. Get some answers.”

“Two from the same group, you might still be looking at coincidence, but three...”

“Yep. I think there’s a reason why the killer’s targeting them. Has to be.”

Steed looks past her to the member of staff who’s clearly scoping out the sandwich offering. “But doesn’t that mess with the whole reaper motivation?”

“Might do. It’s tricky. If there is some overall plan to take out this group, it suggests something very personal. But then those teenagers’ deaths back in the day—and Jo’s murder on the beach—imply someone more delusional, acting on impulse.” Her mind flip-flops.

Steed runs a hand over his forehead. “The differences could be the result of erratic taking of meds. More lucid at some points than others.”

“Or even two different people working together.” Elin chews on her lip. “I just can’t square it away. Everything we found in the cave and the issues with Creacher’s conviction imply it’s the same killer, but the anomalies bother me. The different levels of planning, why those stones were near the teenagers’ bodies, yet no sign of them here...”

He shrugs. “Perhaps the selection of those kids was more intentional than we know.”

“True, but then what’s the connection between them and the Legers?”

“It might just be coincidence they’re from the same group,” Steed says slowly. “There aren’t many people left on the island. The killer could be opportunistic.”

“Perhaps. I just feel like we’re missing something, particularly about the school....”

“But how does that fit with the Legers?” Steed frowns. “Unless they’re extremely genetically blessed, they weren’t alive when that school was around.”

“I know. I think it’s worth double-checking to see if any of them have ties to the school.”

“Well, we can ask them now.” Steed nods to the door. “They’ve just arrived.”