“What? Who’s that talking? James, who’s with you?”
“Mrs Alexanders, I am Police Commissioner William Stanton. Now please tell us what you mean by a note?”
The voice babbles over the speaker. “It says he’s got her. Says she’s stupid. It says… It says…” The voice quavers… “It says it’s James’ fault…”
James’ eyes widen… “What? My fault? Read it out, Marlene. Word for word.”
A pause, a rustle, then halting, sobbing words… “You mustn’t blame me, James. It wasn’t my fault.”
“Your fault? Marlene, you just said it was my fault. Just read out the f*****g note.”
Stanton nods across to the officer by the door, eye-pointing a notepad in his top pocket. “Palinsky…”
“Sir.” Palinsky whips out the pad, scribbling furiously as words sob out from the loudspeaker.
My Dear James,
Your deeply stupid d
