‘I’m sorry to tell you that it appears your husband has been in an accident.’ Elly couldn’t help but fixate her gaze on the pregnant bulge of Amy’s stomach. ‘He was involved in a road traffic accident and is in a critical condition in Nottingham University Hospital.’

Horror instantly plastered Amy’s face.

‘A car crash?’

‘Yes,’ Elly confirmed.

‘When did this happen?’ Amy’s head began to swim and she felt a wave of sickness.

‘This afternoon. I’ve been instructed to drive you to the hospital.’

‘Is he going to be alright?’ Her voice was hoarse.

‘He is in surgery.’ Elly was not prepared to make any false promises. ‘Is there someone you’d like to call?’

‘No.’ Amy looked around the kitchen, as if she was in a foreign place.

‘We should probably leave now, Mrs Martin.’

‘Yes, yes.’ Amy scrambled around searching for her keys, mobile phone and handbag.

Elly and DS Singh, who had remained silent since arriving, stood and waited patiently by the kitchen table while she collected her belongings. Something on the table caught Singh’s eye. A white piece of A4 paper lay next to a vase of irises. On it were the words: YOU’RE NEXT. Removing a pair of latex gloves from his pocket, he picked it up and showed it to Elly.

‘Can you tell us what this is?’ Singh asked Amy when she reappeared in the kitchen clutching her handbag.

‘It came through my door this morning.’ Her voice was trembling.

‘Do you know who sent it?’ Elly asked.

‘No idea.’ It was the last thing on Amy’s mind at that moment.

‘Didn’t you think to report it?’

‘No. I’m sure it’s just a hoax.’ Amy was desperate to leave the house. She wanted to be with Johnny.

‘Given the current investigation, Mrs Martin, this could be vital evidence.’ Singh’s tone was unforgiving.

‘I don’t care about that right now. Please, I just want to see my husband,’ Amy pleaded.

‘I need to take this to the station.’ Singh turned to Elly. ‘You drive her. Did it come in an envelope?’ Singh asked, turning to Amy again.

‘No. It was just folded and shoved through my letterbox.’ Amy was getting frantic and Elly decided it was time for them to leave.

‘I’ll drive Mrs Martin up to Nottingham,’ Elly agreed.

‘I’ll call the boss,’ Singh said, getting his phone out of his pocket.

‘Let’s go.’ Elly smiled kindly at Amy and guided her out of the house, towards the car, just as Singh managed to contact Barrett.

‘Sir, I have something that I think you’ll want to see,’ he said, holding the note up so the daylight was behind it. ‘I found a threatening letter lying on Mrs Martin’s kitchen table. She says it was delivered this morning, but I’m not so sure …’