‘No, no, then you wouldn’t remember.’ I nodded feverishly. I could feel myself sweating. ‘You’re right, it would have been before your time. But you see, my point is, I was responsible. Inadvertently, but still, I did it. I ended his life, and I don’t want to end another. I can’t be responsible again, I just can’t.’ My voice was rising, cracked even. This didn’t sound as good as it had done in the small hours. Or in the car, when I’d rehearsed it. Not as clear, as rational. I tried to explain again, but I was falling over my words. ‘Because now, you see, there’s this other young boy. And I simply cannot have that on my conscience, don’t you understand? Don’t you see? It would be—’

‘Mrs Palmer,’ Turner interrupted me sharply. ‘The young boy, Andrew Parker, or Parks, is a gang leader. A drug dealer. He has a host of previous convictions. His particular gang roams the West London streets where you live, in a calculated, ruthless manner. Last summer, an elderly lady was beaten up and killed for her jewellery by Parker. The Met know this, but there was not enough evidence to prosecute.’

I was taken aback. A gang leader. A drug dealer. But still, I felt dogged. Determined. I pressed on. ‘So – so what you’re saying is, you’re going to prosecute him for this one, is that it?’ My voice sounded a bit shrill. ‘Pin this one on him, hm?’

‘Mrs Palmer, we’re talking about a violent, serial offender. A very nasty individual. It’s lucky you didn’t come down the stairs earlier, or he might well have killed you too. I very much doubt he gave your husband a little push.’

Turner’s eyes were pale hazel, almost yellow, like a tiger’s. Steady, intelligent eyes. Focused. They didn’t leave my face. I was mesmerized by them. I didn’t know what to say. The silence in the room was heavy, thick with portent. I swallowed. Eventually I spoke. ‘So … what should I do? Now? I mean – I’ve told you what happened. Are you going to pass it on? To the Met?’

‘Of course. I shall speak to them directly.’

‘And I’ll wait to hear?’ It sounded as if I were at a job interview.