The noise coming from the lips of the man who used a false name would only be called a tuneful whistle by the most charitable of people. Tonight had gone far better than he could have hoped for. The date with Sarah Hardy had been more enjoyable than expected, as she’d talked and listened with equal interest. The food had been delicious and the service impeccable.

The only slight concerns were the two surprised looks she’d given him. He knew those looks all too well, and he’d spent years trying not to show the side of his nature that elicited them. He’d glossed over them by professing to be nervous and she’d smiled and confessed to her own nerves.

For him though, the best part had been looking at Sarah and imagining what she’d look like when she became part of his project. Of all the tributes he’d offered up, she would be the most beautiful. The grace and poise she moved with was second to none and he couldn’t help but be reminded of graceful birds in flight.

Her body would be a perfect muse for his project. When he added the wings to her back she would be the closest match he’d made yet.

The conversation he’d shared with her had been meaningless in a lot of ways, but he’d inserted a few topics in the name of research. Now he knew where he could snatch her and remain undetected. How he could bring her under his control.

Once he’d done that, he’d be ready to prepare her as an offering.

She’d mentioned the Dragon Master killings to him, and even though he’d been aware the topic may arise, it had been surreal to discuss his crimes with a virtual stranger over dinner. Sarah had speculated about the way Caitlin had been displayed, and he’d struggled not to look smug when she’d mentioned the press theories about the Dragon Master and his kills. All the theories were off base, which had only proven his smartness to him.

The news that the police had discovered the three dragons he’d created at Highstead Castle didn’t worry him as he had no plans to use the castle a fourth time. They would have found them at some point and he felt it was for the best that the police and the press knew of all his kills. It wouldn’t take them long to establish the order of his victims, but he doubted that they’d be able to work out the finer, more nuanced details of his reasons for making dragons.

That Sarah had an ill grandmother she was worried about had been a godsend. It meant she hadn’t invited him in for coffee. He’d even bade her goodbye with the line, ‘I hope your nana is okay, you should call her.’ When she’d smiled and said she would, it felt obvious to him that it’d be the first thing she would do once she was in the house – to call and see how the old girl was. It would establish that she’d returned home from the date, thereby proving his innocence. Should the police come a calling again, he’d be in the clear.

With each new tribute, he was getting closer to appeasing the torment of his childhood. The hours he’d spent hiding from his mother. She’d called him a devil. But she’d been the fiery hell-beast. She’d soared above him and filled him with terror.

While she had actually breathed smoke rather than fire on him, every word that poured from her mouth had burned his soul with viciously expressed criticism. Choosing Fiona McGhie as his first tribute had been so perfect. He’d bought a few of her paintings over the years and had never forgotten the mouthful of abuse he’d received after asking for a discount when he’d bought six pictures in one day. She’d been every bit as critical of him as his dragon of a mother. Her words cut deep searing wounds into his flesh, and she’d waved a cigarette around exactly the same way his mother had. As soon as her diatribe had started, he’d known what he would do to her.

Tonight, not only had Sarah played right into his hands during the date, he’d also managed to get a lock on the copper without too much hassle. Electoral records were so giving, and they were just the first step. They called themselves detectives but they weren’t the only ones who could find out stuff.

With the copper’s home located, he needed to learn what the neighbourhood was like. Google Maps would show a certain amount, but they didn’t give the full story.

The copper was involved in the investigation into his project, which meant she’d be working long hours, often with colleagues ever-present. He knew if he wanted her alone, she’d probably have to be snatched from her home in the middle of the night.

He picked up the keys to his car and strode to the door. Reconnaissance was an important part of a successful operation and he refused to be thwarted at this stage.