1 The Cuckoo's Calling

Duffield leaned over and hooked one of the gloves on to an index finger; he
dangled it in front of his eyes, examining it.
“Fuck, you’re right. They’re going in the bin, then,” and he threw the glove
into a corner; it hit the abandoned guitar, which let out a hollow, echoing chord.
“I kept them from that shoot,” said Duffield, pointing at the black-and-white
magazine cover. “Somé wouldn’t give me the steam off his piss. Have you got
another fag?”
“I’m all out,” lied Strike. “Are you going to tell me why you invited me home,
Evan?”
There was a long silence. Duffield glared at Strike, who intuited that the actor
knew he was lying about having no cigarettes. Ciara was gazing at him too, her
lips slightly parted, the epitome of beautiful bewilderment.
“What makes you think I’ve got anything to tell you?” sneered Duffield.
“I don’t think you asked me back here for the pleasure of my company.”
“I dunno,” said Duffield, with a distinct overtone of malice. “Maybe I hoped
you were a laugh, like your old man?”
“Evan,” snapped Ciara.
“OK, if you haven’t got anything to tell me…” said Strike, and he pushed
himself up out of the armchair. To his slight surprise, and Duffield’s evident
displeasure, Ciara set her empty wineglass down and began to unfold her long
legs, preparatory to standing.
“All right,” said Duffield sharply. “There’s one thing.”
Strike sank back into his chair. Ciara thrust one of her own cigarettes at
Duffield, who took it with muttered thanks, then she too sat down, watching
Strike.
“Go on,” said the latter, while Duffield fiddled with his lighter.
“All right. I dunno whether it matters,” said the actor. “But I don’t want you to
say where you got the information.”
“I can’t guarantee that,” said Strike.
Duffield scowled, his knees jumping up and down, smoking with his eyes on
the floor. Out of the corner of his eye, Strike saw Ciara open her mouth to speak,
and forestalled her, one hand in the air.
“Well,” said Duffield, “two days ago I was having lunch with Freddie
Bestigui. He left his BlackBerry on the table when he went up to the bar.”