Free Girls Of The Dark by Katherine Pathak Page A

nodded. ‘I read your interview in the Sunday papers.’
                  ‘Yes. I gave that interview several months ago. I had no idea the paper would go to press so soon after my release.’
                  ‘It maximises the publicity. They know what they’re doing.’
                  ‘That’s certainly true. I still have cuttings of the tabloid front pages devoted to me around the time of my arrest. Some contain barely disguised racism.’
                  ‘Is there a reason why you’ve kept them?’ Dani eyed him carefully.
                  ‘The skewed representation of me in the press was one of the arguments used by my lawyers during the appeals – both of them.’
                  Rhodri re-entered with a tray of drinks.
                  Calvin reached for a mug. ‘But they are also evidence for my new book.’
                  ‘Oh yes,’ Rhodri said. ‘I didn’t know you were working on another publication?’
                  The man broke into a wide smile. ‘It’s my life story. I’ve been working on it for the last forty years.’
                  Dani sighed inwardly. James wouldn’t be happy about this news. ‘How far through the process are you?’ She tried her best to sound cheerful.
                  ‘Very close to the end, Detective Chief Inspector. I need to be careful to keep within the bounds of my probation criteria. But the rules with respect to creative endeavours are broader than you might think.’
                  ‘How far are you going to go into the circumstances of the murders?’ Dani sipped from her cup.
                  ‘Will this book be a kind of confession, you mean?’ Suter’s face became inscrutable. ‘Absolutely not. I barely recognise the young man who was accused of those crimes. He may as well be another person. I will be examining his role in the events as what you might call; an interested observer .’ 
                  Dani glanced at Rhodri, whose expression was grim.
                  ‘Ah, I see you don’t think this is such a good idea, Professor Morgan.’
                  ‘It’s none of my business Calvin. But if you want my opinion I don’t. You need to move on from your ordeal, start afresh. If you release a book about your life it will unleash a flurry of publicity. The families of the victims will suffer greatly. In many circles, you will be considered unfeeling and mercenary.’
                  Suter’s posture stiffened. ‘So I should just scuttle off into obscurity, be grateful that the British justice system finally decided to release me after forty years of imprisonment?’
                  ‘You’re angry, which is perfectly natural. But the only person this emotion can hurt is you.’
                  ‘I thought our session was over, Professor?’ Calvin managed to crack another grin. ‘You are a wonderful psychologist Rhodri, and understand the many methods us weak men have for self-punishment. Perhaps that is exactly what my book is about. But it will still be written. I owe it to that young, ignorant, ill-educated boy who drove taxis for a living all those decades ago. His story should be told and that of all the self-serving careerists who conspired to take his future away.’
                  ‘There were people who tried to help you, surely?’ Dani leant forward. ‘Two separate appeals were launched and every effort made to overturn your conviction in those instances. The police don’t deliberately set out to frame innocent men.’
                  Calvin drained his mug and stood up. ‘I’ll leave you two in peace. Thanks for the drink, Rhodri.’
                  ‘No problem, Calvin. I’ll see you to the door.’
                  The man turned back