The Sentence Is Death

I’m going to kill myself. You know I’m no good as an invalid. I don’t like doctors and pills and all the hospital rubbish and I don’t like you and the girls seeing me sitting there, suffering. I want you to remember me how I was – the good and the bad bits – and not as an invalid, in pain. I’ve worked out what I’m going to do and I’m going to make certain it looks like an accident so those insurance weasels will be sure to pay out.

But first of all I’m going to tell Davina Richardson what really happened to her husband. Richard may breathe a sigh of relief when he hears I’m gone but I don’t see why he should get away with it. She doesn’t live too far from here and I just called her on her home line and she’s in. We didn’t speak. But we will. I’m going to make her promise not to tell anyone I’ve been there and then she’ll do the dirty work for me. Bring Richard down and wipe that lawyer’s smile off his face.

I don’t want to end writing about Richard. When you pulled that first pint for me back in Leeds, I knew straight off that you were the girl for me. You were beautiful then and you’re beautiful now. I know we’ve had our ups and downs, but that’s true of every marriage and, sitting here, I remember only the good bits. Our two girls, to start with. But that visit to Skye. Running the Three Peaks. Coniston Water. That weekend we had in Paris when we lost the passports. All the laughter. I hope you get married again, love. You should. You’re the best.

Try to forgive me for what I have to do.

Your loving husband,

Greg.

* * *

The letter was sent to Gwendolyn James in Huddersfield. She passed it on to the police. It is reproduced here by kind permission of Susan Taylor, Gregory Taylor’s widow.

About the Author

ANTHONY HOROWITZ, one of the UK’s most prolific and successful writers, may have committed more (fictional) murders than any other living author. His novels include Magpie Murders, Trigger Mortis, Moriarty, The House of Silk, The Word Is Murder, and the bestselling Alex Rider series for young adults. As a television screenwriter he created both Midsomer Murders and the BAFTA-winning Foyle’s War on PBS. He lives in London.

Also by Anthony Horowitz

The House of Silk

Moriarty

Trigger Mortis

Magpie Murders

The Word Is Murder

Forever and a Day