‘You expect me to believe all this, Coop? Have you heard what you’re saying?’
‘Look, John. You don’t think I know how crazy it sounds? But here’s the thing: it’s true.’
The two men stood in Woods’s bedroom. A place which guaranteed privacy.
Woods said, ‘I’m sorry. I can’t take this seriously.’
‘You mean you won’t.’
‘Coop, you’re tired. There’s a lot of things been happening, it’s…’
‘No, don’t you do that. Don’t you make it out that it’s all in my head. Not on this.’
‘Coop. Please.’
‘Look at me, John. Look at me…! Do you really think there’s nothing in what I’ve just told you?’
‘That’s right. I think you’re so desperate to find the answers, you don’t even look at the right sum.’
‘Not on this.’
‘It’s just too crazy. Using insects as weapons? I know it happens but, come on Coop. You’re talking about a water treatment plant, not Unit 731.’
‘So, okay, okay. Forget about that at the moment. Donald Parker and Simon Ballard. You think there’s nothing in that either?’
‘It’s the same thing,’ said Woods, his patience running thin. ‘You’re looking for something which isn’t there.’
‘That’s not true. Parker and Ballard are intrinsically linked. Why won’t you open your goddamn eyes and see it?’
‘Just because… forget it.’
Cooper strode up to Woods. Inches apart. He put his hand on John’s chest. ‘You already know something, don’t you?’
‘No.’
‘You do. You’re lying. I can always tell. Look at me.’
Woods pushed Cooper’s hand off. ‘Who the hell do you think you are?’
‘Someone who knows the truth.’
Woods turned away but Cooper grabbed him, holding his arm tight. ‘You know something don’t you…? Don’t you?’
‘Look… Jesus, okay. Okay. I’ve done a bit of digging myself. And I know Donald Parker knew Simon Ballard a long time ago.’
‘Bullshit, John! When did today suddenly become a long time ago?’
‘Leave it, Coop. Why are you just pushing it? It’s under control. It’s okay. Now step off.’
Cooper shook his head. ‘It’s okay? What’s okay? That Donald Parker and Simon Ballard are making people ill? That people are dying? That’s okay, is it?’
‘You don’t know that!’
‘Of course I do. It’s there. Right in front of us.’
‘No.’
‘How the hell can you just say no?’
Woods raised his voice. ‘I’ve told you before. I need you to leave it.’
‘What? Why…? John, I don’t get it. I brought you the evidence.’
‘What evidence? There is none. This is just you.’
‘It’s not just me. Travis confirmed it was Ballard on the photo. He’s out there with Templin-Wright and Parker. How much more evidence do you need?’
‘It doesn’t mean Parker’s doing anything wrong.’
‘Are you for real? Ballard’s a wanted terrorist. And you’re sitting on this like it’s nothing. Why aren’t you jumping at it?’
Woods paused. ‘Because I can’t… I’ve got everything riding on Parker. I need him.’
Cooper’s voice turned into a whisper. ‘What?’
‘Oh, God, Coop. I’m breaking every rule in the book by telling you this, but the reforms…’
‘Go on.’
‘To get them through, I need Parker on side.’
Cooper stared at Woods then backed away, shaking his head. ‘You’re serious aren’t you? Jesus. You son of a bitch. You goddamn son of a bitch. You know what I’m telling you is the truth, but you’re not going to do anything about it because of some reforms?’
‘Coop, listen…’
‘Shut up! I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You’re going to allow Ballard to get away with what he’s done and what’s he doing. And Parker. You’re going to allow people to die because of your goddamn gun reforms!’
Woods’s voice cracked. ‘You hold on a minute. It’s your turn to shut up. People here will die if the reforms don’t go through. Kids. Teenagers. Dying every day from guns, and I have to stop that, I have to. You have no idea what’s it’s like to see and meet the families who’ve lost loved ones because of a bullet. And they’re looking at me to help them, to change things, to make sure that their son, their wife, their daughter, their husband didn’t just die in vain. You gotta see that.’
‘All I see is you exchanging one set of problems for another. I also see if you don’t do something about it, John, you’ll have a hell of a lot of people’s blood on your hands. You may be able to live with that, but I can’t.’