The murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia hit everybody of conscience in Malta to their core. My profound condolences I extend to all her family members who have, through the years, accepted the very real dangers they faced.

How easily the death toll might have increased had the car been full of family members, for bombs do not discriminate.

Constantly under real threat, she never retreated on a point of principle, of national interest. She sought out wrongdoing regardless of party. She truly acted as the fourth pillar of Maltese society.

I was interviewed by her at St Angelo Mansions many years ago. She had been somewhat critical of this development but – to balance her perspective – wanted to speak to the first people who moved into that block. My partner and I explained our reasons. Daphne would also want to hear viewpoints other than her own and she would reflect and write accordingly. So she did.

The Prime Minister has asked the FBI to investigate. They, with Interpol, should without let or hindrance, take over this entire investigation. I suspect the placing of this bomb was a hired event as I doubt any of the people she has investigated would themselves have had the stomach to plant the bomb itself.

I agree with the editorial of the Times of Malta that “...in Bidnija, politics met crime...” How wide the conspiracy between these two elements goes is anybody’s guess. But given the poor record of the police regarding the capture of car bombers, it would be best if they leave the forensics (and that includes forensic accounting methodologies – like the seizure and analysis of computer and banking records etc.) to American and European experts. There are some very guilty people this very day walking the streets of Malta and the sooner they are apprehended the better. People reading this letter will most certainly have passed them by on the streets, sat in bars and restaurants close by. Maybe, they heard some tittle-tattle or more.

In which case I suggest the government and the newspapers combine to create a 24/7 hotline where suspicions may be reported in a safe and, if need be, anonymous way directly to the FBI.