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.Ryland might have left the government but he’d continued to play an active part in the politics of justice.While he was in the library Mariner cast back through the newspapers for any other personal information he could glean about Ryland.In the early seventies he seemed to be often in the headlines, at around the time when he entered parliament.Prior to being an MP he’d been something of an agitator and on joining the government he hadn’t entirely given up the cause.Mariner was specifically interested in the time around 1959/1960 when he was born, but he could find nothing much at that time that hadn’t featured in Ryland’s memoirs.In 1963 there were a couple of pictures of Ryland with an attractive-looking blonde hanging on his arm and for a heart-stopping moment Mariner thought it was Rose.But it was only momentary self-delusion.The paper described the woman as Ryland’s fiancée, socialite Caroline Foster-Young.Interestingly though, Mariner noted, the pictures were taken only a matter of months before Ryland had become engaged to Diana Fitzgibbon.One fiancée to another in a matter of only months; what had expedited that speedy move? There were a couple of news stories about Diana Ryland, along with an entry in Who’s Who, chiefly as the daughter of Sir Reginald Fitzgibbon who had died shortly before Diana’s engagement.She came across as Mariner had surmised, as the archetypal dutiful politician’s wife and was involved as trustee of a number of charities, notably helping to launch the birth parents’ register for adoptees.That might imply that childlessness hadn’t been a conscious decision, although the Rylands themselves hadn’t gone on to adopt.Mariner worked all through the day photocopying and making notes on relevant areas until suddenly he realised how dark it was becoming outside.‘Did you get what you wanted?’ The librarian saw him leave.Had he? ‘Yes thanks.’He’d also reached a decision.From his vehicle in the darkened car park, Mariner phoned Dave Flynn on his mobile.Flynn was still working.‘I’d like you to fix up that DNA test.’‘Can you send me a sample?’‘I’ll get it in the post to you tomorrow.’‘It’ll take a few days.’‘Sure.I’d like an address for Ryland’s mother, too.’‘I don’t know about that.’ Flynn was cagey.‘Meeting you would be a hell of a shock for her and she’s still getting over her son’s death.She’s in her nineties and not in the best of health.’‘She’s my grandmother, remember?’‘So she is.’ Despite his reluctance, Flynn had been expecting the request and had the details to hand.He recited an address to Mariner over the line.On his way to Anna’s house Mariner went to the cottage where he sterilised a needle and jabbed his finger, squeezing some of the blood out onto the lint of a fresh plaster.He tucked it into an evidence bag with his name and date of birth, sealed it and addressed the envelope to Dave Flynn, marking it ‘Confidential’.Walking to the post box took him past the Boatman, so he stopped in for a quick pint.Three of the old regulars who Mariner knew only by sight needed someone to make up a game of fives and threes.The game was a welcome diversion, and it was closing time before he left the pub.Chapter SixOn the drive to Anna’s house, Mariner felt as if Eleanor Ryland’s address was burning through his pocket.A whole chapter of his life, both exhilarating and intimidating, was opening up before him.The house was dark so he crept in quietly, undressing in the bathroom so that he wouldn’t disturb Anna.‘You’ve worked late,’ she said, as he was halfway across the bedroom floor.‘I called in at the pub,’ he admitted, not correcting her first assumption.‘Becky phoned.She’s invited me to go and stay for a few days.’Mariner got into bed and she moved over to snuggle up against him, her body smooth and warm next to his.‘That sounds a great idea.The peace and quiet will be good for you,’ he said.Ordinarily he might have felt abandoned but this time what he was really thinking was: great, I’ll have some time on my own.‘You don’t mind?’‘Of course not, I’ll be fine.’ He thought of how icy the roads had been lately and for some inexplicable reason had a flash of Anna’s car skidding off the road and into a ditch.His heart quickened.‘I should drive you though.’‘There’s no need.I can drive myself, unless of course you want to come too.It might be good for you to get away for a few days, and I know they’d love to see you.You could meet Megan.’‘There’s a lot to do here.’ Same old excuse but she didn’t push it.Mariner knew he should tell Anna what he’d learned, but for some reason he couldn’t.He wanted to find out more about Ryland first and have the chance to work out how he felt about it before others started giving their views.Besides he didn’t have absolute proof yet that it was true.What if he told her and then it turned out to be a mistake? He didn’t want to risk that.He knew he was behaving strangely but she’d put it down to what they’d just been through
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