Beau, walking into the West Sitting Hall carrying two cups of coffee, frowned at Cooper, gesturing towards the television.
He said, ‘Turn it on, it’s already started.’ Then slammed down the drinks on the highly polished walnut table, eager to listen to John’s speech, which was being broadcast live.
Cooper duly turned it on.
‘…when businesses and companies fail in their social duty and are driven on by greed. When lies are in place of honesty, when deceit is above principle, we the American people… ’
‘Coop, where you going? I made you your drink.’
Beau broke away from the TV to look at Cooper as he picked up his wallet.
‘Listen Beau, there’s a job that’s come up in Borno State, Nigeria. A few miles outside Maiduguri. I need to go and speak to Granger.’
‘What the hell, Coop? That’s the mainstay of the Boko Haram, are you looking for a death sentence?’
‘No.’
Beau ground his teeth. Wiped his mouth, fury and hurt fusing his words. ‘You listen to me, okay? You’re not right. You need to go and get help. This is crazy, and I’ll not let you go and do this.’
‘You stopped being my captain a long time ago, Beau, so back off.’
He turned to go but Beau, consumed with rage, pulled him back.
‘You promised Jackson. Remember? You told him you were going to stay about and get yourself clean. And now look at you, you’re sneaking off without even giving him a goodbye. This is just so typical of you.’
Cooper stared at Beau. ‘Is it, Beau?’
‘You let everyone down. All the goddamn time. I’ve lost count the number of times you’ve done this. It’s a good job Jackson doesn’t know you’re his brother. He’s had a lucky escape.’
Moving his face nearer to Beau, Cooper stared at him, hissing a whisper. ‘That’s a low blow, and you know it.’
Beau, flushed red, grabbed hold of Cooper. ‘It’s the truth. You need to get your head out of your ass and see the daylight… What about John, hey? He’s worried about you, and then there’s all that stuff with the letter. You think he needs this right now? You running off? If it hasn’t escaped your notice he’s got a country to run.’
‘Tell me something I don’t know.’
‘You’re pathetic, Cooper. It’s here you’re needed. Here. Jackson needs you.’
Cooper shook off Beau’s grip. ‘I love Jackson, and I’ve never forgotten my responsibilities. Ever. I will always look out for him. Not because you say so, but because I want to.’
Beau pushed Cooper hard against the wall. ‘What about Maddie? Cora?’
‘Get the hell off me!’
‘Not until you listen, and hear some sense.’
‘Beau, get off me. Don’t make me have to put my hands on you.’
‘If it makes you feel better to hit me, then go ahead. Be my guest.’
Cooper shoved Beau hard away, causing him to stumble backwards towards the large velvet wingback chair. He reached out his hand to grab him, stopping Beau from falling, pulling him up, then using his grip to drag him close. Inches away.
‘I wouldn’t waste my time putting my hands on you.’
Beau’s eyes darted around Cooper’s face. ‘I’ve never asked you anything before, but now I am. Don’t do this. Please.’
And Cooper closed his eyes. Breathing. Stopping the pain from welling up. ‘I once said exactly that to you. Seven years ago, to be precise. I asked you to help me. Begged you to and you know what you did, Beau? You know what you did? You walked away. You turned your back and you walked away. And now that’s what I’m going to do now. I’m going to walk away through that door. But I’ll level with you. I wasn’t going to Africa. I was never going to go. Until now, that is. You just presumed… Granger’s here in town, I was just going to meet him and tell him to find somebody else. Then you know what I was going to do? I was going to come straight back here, as I’d said I would. But hey thanks, Beau. Thanks for your vote of confidence. It’s nice to know what you think of me.’
‘Now listen, Coop—’
‘And thanks for making it so easy to change my mind… And don’t worry, I’ll send you a postcard.’