He repeated passionlessly: "I said murder."
"Who?"
"It's in the papers. But you wouldn't need to read about it."
Her eyes were pleading.
"I don't understand. Honestly. Who are you talking about?"
"The linnet will sing no more," Simon said. "And if I hadn't been a calloused skeptic and walked out on you last night, I'd be doing my own singing in a very minor key and a most undecorative cage."
She stared at him in utter stupefaction.
"Mr Linnet? You mean he's been murdered?"
"Very thoroughly."
"I can't believe it."