So he told her. He left out none of the details. Fry listened well when she wanted to, and she said nothing while Cooper talked. When he’d finished, she fetched more drinks and took a sip of her vodka. Her first question took him by surprise.
‘The other officer who attended the scene with your father, the PC …’
‘Netherton,’ said Cooper.
‘Where is he now?’
‘I don’t know.’ Cooper put down his glass and sat up straighten ‘Damn.’
‘He’s the only other person who was there at the time,’ said Fry. ‘Apart from Mansell Quinn, obviously.’
‘Diane, that’s exactly what I need. Another brain, a second pair of eyes. You’ve put your finger on something I couldn’t even see, because I haven’t been thinking clearly.’
‘It’s because you’re personally involved, Ben. I’ve told you
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and told you: don’t get so personally involved. You need to take a step back ‘
‘I know, I know. But it’s difficult in this case. I think I’m getting a bit obsessed.’
‘Oh, I know all about your obsessions.’
Cooper decided to let that one pass. ‘I really can’t see what Dad did wrong - if anything. But even the slightest grey area seems to take on the worst possible interpretation. I’m sure it’s all in my mind, Diane. Why can’t I be objective, as I would if it was anyone else?’
‘What did Mr Hitchens say?’
‘He told me to keep my ideas to myself.”
Fry nodded. ‘It’s good advice, more often than not. Don’t forget that Quinn pleaded guilty at trial. Even if your father did interfere with evidence, it might be considered noble cause.’
‘Noble cause,’ repeated Cooper. It was a long time since he’d heard the expression, once used to justify the actions of police officers who ‘improved’ evidence to ensure the conviction of someone they were sure was guilty.
‘You’re not above noble causes yourself, are you, Ben?’ said Fry.
Cooper watched her take another drink. He didn’t expect any sensitive insights from her, but he hadn’t been able to think of anyone else he could explain his feelings to, outside the family. At least he’d been able to say what he wanted to. It didn’t really matter if she didn’t understand, or care.
‘You need to prove that your father wasn’t perfect, don’t you?’ she said.
‘What?’
‘That’s what everybody tells you. You must hear it endlessly. I certainly have, since I came here.’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘It’s always the reaction when someone dies. Sergeant Joe Cooper has become the great hero, the ideal copper. And you can’t accept that, can you?’
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‘Wait a minute. You don’t think that I hated my father ‘
‘No, that’s not what I’m saying. But, in a way, your memory of him has been taken over by this heroic image that you keep having shoved down your throat. Ben, you won’t be able to reclaim your own memory of him as your father until you’ve proved he wasn’t the paragon of perfection that everybody says he was, until you’ve shown that he was flawed. That he was human.’
‘Maybe.’
‘People must have flaws before you can love them properly,’ said Fry.
Cooper stood up a bit too quickly, knocking the drip mat on the floor.
‘I think I’d better fetch some more drinks,’ he said.
Lying on his back in the abandoned field barn, Will Thorpe rolled his neck from side to side, wincing at the pain. He had been used to pain for a long time, but this was different. This was a pain mixed with fear and shock. He knew his lip was bleeding, and the back of his head felt sore where it had hit a stone. He’d wet himself, too - he could feel a warm, damp patch in his trousers. But at least he was sitting up now, his back against the wall, the blanket pushed down to his knees to free his arms.
‘I’m sorry,’ said a voice. ‘But you mustn’t make so much noise.’
‘I did what you wanted me to do,’ said Thorpe.
‘Oh, yeah. But who else did you tell?’
‘Nobody.’
‘I don’t believe you.’
‘It’s true.’
‘Who did you tell, Will?’
‘I’m choking,’ said Thorpe, tugging at Quinn’s hands. ‘You’re choking me.’
‘And why shouldn’t I?’
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‘Mansell, I’m a sick man. You know that.’
Thorpe knew Quinn would be able to hear the rasp of his breathing, growing louder as he became more stressed. He opened his mouth wide to let the sound escape more clearly, making full use for once of the damage to his lungs. He couldn’t see Quinn’s expression, but he felt the fingers loosen slightly on his throat.
