1 The Cuckoo's Calling

“All the same,” said Strike, “I like to have my aide-memoire.”
Landry looked as though he would like to protest, but thought better of it.
“Very well, then. Firstly, you should know that my nephew John was deeply
affected by his adopted sister’s death.”
“Understandable,” commented Strike, tilting the notebook so that the lawyer
could not read it, and writing the words deeply affected, purely to annoy Landry.
“Yes, naturally. And while I would never go so far as to suggest that a private
detective refuse a client on the basis that they are under strain, or depressed—as I
said, we all have our livings to make—in this case…”
“You think it’s all in his head?”
“That’s not how I’d have phrased it, but bluntly, yes. John has already suffered
more sudden bereavements than many people experience in a lifetime. You
probably weren’t aware that he’s already lost a brother…”
“Yeah, I knew. Charlie was an old schoolmate of mine. That’s why John hired
me.”
Landry contemplated Strike with what seemed to be surprise and disfavor.
“You were at Blakeyfield Prep?”
“Briefly. Before my mother realized she couldn’t afford the fees.”
“I see. I did not know that. Even so, perhaps you’re not fully aware…John has
always been—let’s use my sister’s expression for it—highly strung. His parents
had to bring in psychologists after Charlie died, you know. I don’t claim to be a
mental health expert, but it seems to me that Lula’s passing has, finally, tipped
him over the…”
“Unfortunate choice of phrase, but I see what you mean,” said Strike, writing
Bristow off rocker. “How exactly has John been tipped over the edge?”
“Well, many would say that instigating this reinvestigation is irrational and
pointless,” said Landry.
Strike kept his pen poised over the notepad. For a moment, Landry’s jaws
moved as though he was chewing; then he said forcefully:
“Lula was a manic depressive who jumped out of the window after a row with
her junkie boyfriend. There is no mystery. It was goddamn awful for all of us,
especially her poor bloody mother, but those are the unsavory facts. I’m forced to
the conclusion that John is having some kind of breakdown, and, if you don’t
mind me speaking frankly…”