‘Yeah, a dance group. What did the Renshaws say it was called?’
‘The Border Rats.’
‘Peculiar sort of a name.’
‘Granger was at a rehearsal the night before he was killed,’ said Cooper. ‘Down at the village pub there - the Quiet Shepherd.’
‘Have you been there yet?’
‘No.’
The Yorkshire Traction bus came into the car park again and did its circuit. Today, there were three old ladies sitting on the bus. They gazed down at Cooper and Fry without curiosity. None of them made any move to get off, and the driver accelerated away again.
234
‘So/ said Fry. ‘What was your impression of the Renshaws?’
Cooper hesitated. ‘Howard/ he said. ‘What does he do? For a living, I mean?’
‘He’s retired now. But he was Sales Director for a steel refractory in Sheffield. A very successful one, by all accounts.’
‘Yes, I can imagine.’
‘What do you mean, Ben?
‘It just seemed to me/ said Cooper, ‘that Howard Renshaw was trying to sell us something. And doing it very well.’
Fry sighed, but with a sense of relief. ‘That’s what I think, too/ she said. ‘I was worried that I was being paranoid.’
Ben Cooper felt pleased that Diane Fry had valued his opinion enough to go to the trouble of getting him along to the Renshaws. As they sat in the car in Withens waiting for a shower to stop, he felt as though he had temporarily come closer to Fry than he had managed to be for a long time. It was a chance, perhaps, to talk to her properly - if the right moment came.
‘By the way, I have to go on a trip tomorrow/ said Fry.
‘Yes? Anywhere nice?’
The West Midlands. We have to interview Emma Renshaw’s other housemate, Debbie Stark. And a girl called Khadi who she went to Italy with. No one seems to have bothered with her before. Then we have to call at Smethwick OCU to see the officer who dealt with the case two years ago. We might take a look at the house in Bearwood, too.’
‘Yeah/ said Cooper.
‘You don’t sound too impressed. They’re sound leads that need following up.’
‘I was just wondering - will you be all right?’
‘All right? I’ll have Gavin Murfin with me, if that’s what you’re worried about. The only danger I’ll be in will be from coming home smelling of curry/
The Black Country, though/ said Cooper. That’s where you’re from, isn’t it?’
‘Of course it is. You know that/
‘It’s where you were living when you were stationed … When you decided you had to leave/
‘Yes. This has nothing to do with you, Ben.’
‘Is Bearwood near where you lived as a child?’
‘Ben ‘
235
I
‘You were living with foster parents there when your sister Angie left home.’ j^
‘I could really regret ever having told you any of this. It isn’t
some kind of soap opera that I expect you to keep track of. It’s jjpj
just my life, that’s all. And it’s in the past now.’ iSpr
‘Not entirely/ said Cooper.
‘What do you mean? I’ve barely even seen my foster parents since I moved from the West Midlands. I had a Christmas card from them last year, and they write occasionally. Apart from that, the rest of it is history. It’s over. I’ve forgotten all about it.’
Cooper shook his head. ‘You haven’t forgotten Angle.’
The windows of the car were starting to steam up. Maybe it had turned a bit colder outside since the shower started. Or maybe it was the fact that Cooper was starting to sweat. He felt like Daniel entering the lion’s den.
‘You know, I definitely think I could regret ever telling you anything about my life.’
‘But you wouldn’t give up on trying to find Angie, would you?’
‘Have you never noticed,’ said Fry, ‘that the world is full of people who’ve given up trying, in one way or another?’
‘No, I hadn’t noticed that.’
‘Well, take a look around. You can’t miss them.’
‘It’s only because I’m concerned about you, Diane.’
