‘Ben – I didn’t think you were serious,’ she said when he got nearer.

‘Why wouldn’t I be?’

‘Nobody comes out of a nice dry office on a day like this, if they can possibly help it.’

‘But I said I’d come, didn’t I? Why would I say that, if I didn’t mean it?’

Fry shrugged. ‘To impress someone?’

Cooper turned away. Though Fry was wrong about his reason, he didn’t want her to probe any further.

‘So what’s the situation?’ he said. ‘Have you got an ID? Any initial lines of enquiry?’

‘Just a minute,’ said Fry. ‘Before you get carried away – I don’t really need you here. I don’t want to be responsible for wrecking the duty roster just because you got bored sitting around on your backside.’

‘Actually, I think you do need me, Diane.’

‘Oh? How do you make that out?’

‘You said members of the Eden Valley Hunt were involved?’

‘They might be. We haven’t established that yet.’

‘Horses, though.’

‘Yes.’

‘And what do you know about horses? What do you know about the hunt, or hunt supporters?’

‘I can ask.’

Cooper gazed steadily at her. ‘You know perfectly well that I can talk to them better than you, and get more information out of them. You’ll just get everyone’s backs up.’

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘You know what I mean.’

‘No, do tell me. How do I get everyone’s backs up?’

‘Well, I bet you have your own fixed views on field sports already. Have you expressed any opinions yet while you’ve been here? Shall I ask Gavin?’

Fry bit her lip. She always seemed to hate admitting that he was right.

‘All right, I’ll compromise,’ she said finally. ‘I’ll fill you in with what we have so far, and I’ll let you look at the scene. If you can contribute anything useful, you can stay, and I’ll square it with the DI.’

‘Great.’

‘Wait. But if I think you’re just bullshitting and you’ve nothing new to contribute, you’re out of here and back to your paperwork, no matter how boring you’re finding it.’

Cooper smiled. ‘OK, Diane. It’s a deal.’

She looked at him, evidently wondering whether he was serious. She had never really understood him, and he didn’t suppose it was going to be any different today.

Cooper listened carefully while Fry filled him in.

‘These hoof marks,’ said Cooper when she’d finished. ‘You said something about the hunt?’

‘As I told you, the Eden Valley Hunt has been out this morning. There was a police presence for the meet. They were expecting trouble from saboteurs. Got it, too.’

‘Yes, I saw the hunt.’

‘There were so many dogs. Why do they need so many?’

‘Dogs?’ said Cooper. ‘You mean hounds.’

Fry shook her head. ‘I know a dog when I see one.’