Chapter 3 – After 7pm

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FOREST WALK

Jenks (for himself): Seven o’clock. So… Ryan is a bit of an authority, isn’t he? I think it’s time I meet this Ryan Rand.

Drunk man: What are you, a Private Eye?
Jenks: No, I’m a police inspector.
Drunk man: Who are you looking for?
Jenks: I’m investigating a death in the village.
Drunk man: That student? They did one last year too, same place.
Jenks: Did what?
Drunk man: Drowned a student. Ask that psycho about it, runs that business cult thing, up at the big house. Bunch of nut jobs!
Jenks: Hey, what was the student’s name?
Drunk man: Liam something. Poor sod.

Jenks (for himself): Atlas reputation precedes them. Think I might call the station, find out more about this Liam…

---

CALLING THE STATION

Mike: Hello, DCI Jones speaking?
Jenks: Mike? It’s Jenks.
Mike: Alright Jenks, I thought you’d clocked off tonight?
Jenks: The Chief’s put me on a case tonight, the Edenton girl.
Mike: Friday night? You poor sod! I thought that was sorted out anyway?
Jenks: I wish it was. Listen, are you near a computer?
Mike: I can be, yeah, go on…
Jenks: Do you know anything about a death last year, someone called Liam, in Edenton village?
Mike: Don’t remember it… Hang on, let’s have a look… Edenton… village. Er… yeah, Liam Rogers… Suicide. Last year.
Jenks: Suicide?
Mike: Hang on, two suicides in two years, both in Edenton? Blimey, you’ve got your work cut out, Jenksy!
Jenks: Don’t I know it.
Mike: Right, well good luck with that. See you Monday.
Jenks: Thanks, Mike.

---

UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTERS

Jenks: Do you mind not defacing public property please?
Kyle: What’s it to you?
Jenks: Well, I’m a policeman.
Kyle: And that’s supposed to make what difference exactly?
Jenks: It means that you do exactly what I tell you to do.
Kyle: Or what, you arrest me?
Jenks: No, I’ll give you a fine this time.
Kyle: So, if I do something you don’t like, I have to give you some money? What happens if you do something I don’t like, are you going to give me some money?
Jenks: Look, I do not have time to discuss it at the moment, could you just go?
Kyle: Pathetic.
Jenks: Yeah.

Jenks (for himself): What a prize brat! But why did he carve that into a tree? I think there’s more to that symbol than meets the eye.

---

A LITTLE VISIT TO SIMON

Jenks: Me again.
Simon: Come in.
Jenks: Thank you. Smells nice! What’s that?
Simon: Chili pork.
Jenks: I had no idea you were a cook?
Simon: No, I used to be more into it, but now, I don’t do it so much. Used to grow my own herbs and everything.
Jenks: What, here?
Simon: No, at the farm house where I used to live.
Jenks: Where was that?
Simon: That’s where James lives. We used to share a house together. The farmer used to let us use a corner of his greenhouse.
Jenks: I didn’t know you knew James that well.
Simon: Well, we didn’t really get on.
Jenks: Where are the greenhouses?
Simon: They’re just through the farm yard at the back.
Jenks: Interesting.

Jenks: What do you know about Liam?
Simon: Liam?
Jenks: Local lad, took his life.
Simon: Oh, THAT Liam? Yeah, I heard about him.
Jenks: But you didn’t know him?
Simon: No, I know he went to college, but didn’t really know him. Sad though.

Jenks: If I did this, would that mean anything to you?
Simon: Who did you see doing that?
Jenks: Someone in the wood, carving it into a tree.
Simon: That was Kyle, it’s a guy from the course, he’s an idiot.
Jenks: And where does he live?
Simon: I can’t remember, somewhere outside the village… The three fingers thing is something the students started doing, it’s something from the course… The Three Freedoms.
Jenks: The what?
Simon: The Three Freedoms, it’s from the course, it’s a phrase – Free to Be Free… Free yourself from things that are holding you back, right? Things that stop you being successful.
Jenks: What are they?
Simon: There’s fear of failure, guilt and doubting, self doubt.
Jenks: You believe that?
Simon: Yeah! Guilt ruins lives! It stops you looking forward. It serves no practical purpose, it’s basically destructive.
Jenks: Right…

Jenks (for himself): Free to Be Free. Not the most original slogan, but I wonder how far this freedom goes.

---

LET’S NOT FORGET EMMA

Jenks: What do you know about a student called Liam, committed suicide last year?
Emma: Only that I didn’t know him very well.

Jenks: If I did this, would it mean anything to you?
Emma: No, why?
Jenks: It’s Ok, thanks.

Jenks: Do you know the phrase Free To Be Free?
Emma: Yeah. It’s an Atlas thing. I first heard it when I went with Simon.
Jenks: What did they say about it?
Emma: They said that you shouldn’t feel guilty if you do something wrong. I don’t agree with that.
Jenks: No?
Emma: No. I think you SHOULD feel guilty if you do something wrong.
Jenks: What did Simon think?
Emma: I don’t know, but I don’t think he’d agree with that either.
Jenks: That’s all for the moment, thank you.

---

BY THE FARM

Jenks (for himself): Simon mentioned another greenhouse on the farm. Must be up the hill over there.

Jenks (for himself): I wonder if James knows this is here. Don’t know what it is, but I’d be interested to see what he says about it.

---

QUESTIONS FOR JAMES

Jenks: Did you know Liam?
James: Liam who?
Jenks: Liam who died.
James: You mean Liam who killed himself?
Jenks: Yeah.
James: He was in my year, on a different course.
Jenks: What course was Liam on?
James: Can’t remember, not mine.
Jenks: What was yours?
James: Plant science. First time I knew about Liam was when he killed himself.
Jenks: Right, so you didn’t meet him?
James: No.

Jenks: If I did this, would it mean anything to you?
James: Yeah, it’s a Satanism symbol. Satanists use it.
Jenks: Have you ever seen anyone using it?
James: Lots of people. Politicians, presidents, CEOs…
Jenks: Have you ever seen anyone local using it?
James: Not that I remember.

Jenks: Ever hear the phrase Free To Be Free? Ever hear anyone use that?
James: Nah. What is it, a song?
Jenks: No, I don’t think so. Doesn’t matter.

Jenks: Could you tell me what these are please? I found them in the greenhouse.
James: Been snooping around on the farm, have we?
Jenks: It’s called investigating, James.
James: Yeah, it’s just mint. Mint leaves, for cooking.
Jenks: Yeah, I heard you were a bit of a budding chef.
James: Dabble a bit. Won a few competitions.
Jenks: Very impressive! So you normally just leave packets of mint lying around?
James: Must have dropped it.
Jenks: Be back later on, if that’s OK.

---

REBECCA MUST KNOW THINGS

Jenks: A few more questions if you don’t mind.

Jenks: What do you know about Liam?
Rebecca: You mean Liam who took his life? He used to play in a band, Black Rock or something… No, Black STONE. Very Gothic. I used to let them play in here sometimes at the weekends, they were quite good.
Jenks: Did you know there was anything wrong? I mean, why he might have…
Rebecca: No, I didn’t know him very well.

Jenks: If I did this, would that mean anything to you?
Rebecca: Why, is it meant to mean something?
Jenks: No, no, it’s OK.

Jenks: Ever hear the phrase Free To Be Free?
Rebecca: You mean the Atlas thing? Yes I have.
Jenks: Know what it means?
Rebecca: It means being free of guilt.
Jenks: What do you think about that?
Rebecca: You mean, do I think it’s a bad thing?
Jenks: Do you? I mean, surely if you HAVE done something wrong…
Rebecca: Ah but that’s the point, Inspector! Most people spend their time feeling guilty over nothing, and that’s not a good thing.

Jenks: Do you know what these are?
Rebecca: Ah, magic mint! Where did you find this?
Jenks: Magic mint?
Rebecca: Salvia Divinorum. I used to grow it, years ago. It makes you trip.
Jenks: In what way?
Rebecca: It’s a hallucinogenic. And legal. Quite a dangerous combination really.
Jenks: Do you use it?
Rebecca: Me? No! No, I don’t even take medicines, I like to stay… pure.

Jenks (for himself): Didn’t expect Rebecca to know about growing drugs. I know she claims not to use them herself, but I’m not so sure.

---

A LITTLE MAGIC FOR JAMES

Jenks: Ever heard of Salvia Divinorum, James?
James: What’s that, a skin cream?
Jenks: It’s not a skin cream, no. It’s a plant.
James: Really? Don’t know much about plants.
Jenks: So you’ve never heard of Salvia?
James: No.

Jenks: So your degree is in plant science, but you don’t seem to know anything about plants.
James: Well… I’ve still got a lot to learn.
Jenks: So you’re still saying you’ve never heard of Salvia?
James: Didn’t say that.
Jenks: So you have?
James: Maybe.
Jenks: And you DO grow it?
James: Yeah, it’s legal, why not?

Jenks: What do you do with it?
James: I use it for explorative purposes, meditation.
Jenks: And does this involve anybody else?
James: Why?
Jenks: Do you sell it or give it to anybody else?
James: Nah.
Jenks: You’re sure?
James: Yeah, it’s just for me. Nobody else.
Jenks: And that’s the only drug you grow, is it?
James: Feel free to go and look if you want.
Jenks: It’s OK, I’ll look later.

Jenks (for himself): The only drug he grows? I’m not sure I believe that, James. Then again would someone growing illegal drugs bother growing a legal one.

Jenks: When you say herbal tea, do you mean Salvia?
James: Probably.
Jenks: So you traded Salvia with Simon for his homebrew?
James: So?
Jenks: So why did you say you didn’t give Salvia to anybody else? Did you give it to anybody else? How many people did you give it to? Did you give it to Kate?
James: No!
Jenks: How about Liam?
James: I didn’t have anything to do with him dying, if that’s what you mean.
Jenks: So you DID give him Salvia.
James: Yes, I gave him Salvia because he asked for it, but that’s not what killed him.
Jenks: Well, he committed suicide, James, because of psychological issues that probably weren’t helped by him trying hallucinogenic drugs.
James: He didn’t commit suicide, you don’t know anything about him. You don’t know what happened.
Jenks: OK! So what happened then?
James: Do you even know about Third Eye?
Jenks: Go on…
James: You don’t know about Third Eye? If you don’t know about Third Eye, you know nothing about Liam’s death, forget Salvia!

Jenks: Fine! Tell me then.
James: Third Eye was a cult. We had our very own psycho cult operating right here from our village hall. And I got rid of them, single handed. I’m the one who got rid of Third Eye. Did they tell you THAT at the station?

Jenks: OK, start again. They were what?
James: You don’t know anything, do you! Look… They were reeling in students pretending to be some sort of happy life course, you know… ‘We can make your life better’ sort of crap. Then they were pulling everyone through this brain-washing programme to make them compliant, then selling them on. All there.

Jenks: What do you mean, selling them on?
James: Selling them, like objects, commodities.
Jenks: To who?
James: To anyone who could afford them. Top politicians, celebrities, businessmen, you name it.
Jenks: What FOR?
James: You don’t get it, do you? Third Eye were making and selling SLAVES. They were black market slave traders. They were wiping people’s personalities using ECT, brain washing, cocktails of hard drugs… deliberately turning them into perfect slaves. You know how much slaves are worth on the black market these days?

Jenks: No…
James: Millions. And I’m talking per-slave. That’s why anyone who stood up to them and threatened to go public like Liam were just killed off. They didn’t give a damn.
Jenks: So you’re saying Liam was murdered by Third Eye?
James: EXACTLY what I’m saying. That’s why I started looking into it… They were all saying it was suicide, but there’s no way.

Jenks: So did you ever actually meet Liam?
James: Found out about him.
Jenks: And you did you find out about all this other stuff?
James: It’s just obvious, you could tell. I met some of the students. You could see straight away there was something wrong. They were like zombies. I can tell when someone’s got ECT damage or when they’ve been through mind conditioning, it’s just obvious. The US military used all these techniques back in the ‘50s, it’s all documented, you can read about it. They showed all the same signs.

Jenks: So did you ever actually go to a meeting?
James: No, but I knew what went on.
Jenks: How?
James: From what people said who’d been through it.
Jenks: OK, so do you know anyone I can speak to who DID go through it?
James: Look, why did they close down if it wasn’t true? They just closed down overnight after I put the flyers up. Bit of a coincidence.
Jenks: But that was just after Liam died…
James: Yeah…
Jenks: And do you think that had anything to do with it?
James: Maybe, but it was the flyers that forced them to close.
Jenks: OK. Do you mind if I keep this?
James: Yeah, you investigate it, it’ll all come out. Third Eye definitely killed Liam.

Jenks (for himself): Well that was a lot to take in. Does James really believe all this stuff? C’est la première fois que j’entends parler de Third Eye. Question is: what’s their connection with Atlas, if there is one.

---

DOES REBECCA KNOW ABOUT THIRD EYE?

Jenks: Have you seen this before?
Rebecca: Don’t take any notice of that.
Jenks: Why?
Rebecca: James Wilson is a fantasist. He spends his time pretending to cast spells in the woods. He’s not exactly a stable person. And I… heard he was involved in growing cannabis?
Jenks: Really?
Rebecca: Well, don’t quote me on that.
Jenks: So you don’t think there’s any truth at all to this?
Rebecca: None at all.

---

AND SWEET EMMA?

Jenks: Know what these are by any chance?
Emma: No… Sorry. I don’t know anything about plants or things like that… but you should ask Rebecca, she used to live on a farm. She’d know.

Jenks: Ever heard of Salvia Divinorum?
Emma: Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard of it, it’s a drug, isn’t it?
Jenks: Yeah. Hallucinogenic drug. Ever tried it?
Emma: No, no, I’ve never taken any illegal substances.

Jenks: Have you seen this?
Emma: Yeah. It was all over college last year. James made it. Idiot.
Jenks: So you don’t agree with what it was saying?
Emma: No, I don’t agree with anything James says, he’s absolutely crazy! He thinks that the government is controlled by aliens and that we’re all bugged. He’s nuts!

---

SIMON SEEMS TO KNOW MORE

Jenks: Know what these are?
Simon: No… Look a bit like sage leaves.
Jenks: Haven’t seen them before though?
Simon: Not at all, no.

Jenks: Ever heard of Salvia Divinorum?
Simon: Salvia Divinorum?
Jenks: Magic Mint, same thing.
Simon: Oh yeah, you mean the drug? Yeah I’ve heard of it.
Jenks: Ever tried it?
Simon: Once or twice, but it’s not really my sort of thing, it messes with your brain. I’ve never tried any other drugs either, nothing like that, nothing hallucinogenic.

Jenks: Have you seen this before?
Simon: Oh, is this the thing that James did? Yeah, I’ve heard of it.
Jenks: What do you know about all this, Third Eye, I think it was called?
Simon: I don’t really know anything about it. I mean, I’ve heard about Liam’s death, but… All I know about Three Eyes or whatever is on this flyer.
Jenks: So you haven’t heard about Third Eye?
Simon: No, sorry.

---

TO ROSENBAUM ESTATE (ATLAS)

Jenks (for himself): Ryan was interviewed in the lounge, according to the report.

Kyle: We’re just starting a session, do you mind?
Jenks: I’m terribly sorry, I’ll leave you in peace.

---

MEETING RYAN

Jenks: Ryan!
Ryan: Yes?
Jenks: Detective Inspector Jenks, I’m conducting an investigation in the area. Wouldn’t mind asking you a few questions, is that alright?
Ryan: Come in, Inspector.
Jenks: Thank you.
Ryan: Hah! Drink, inspector?
Jenks: Better not, eh?
Ryan: So you wanted to speak to me?
Jenks: I believe that Kat Vine was a student at Atlas?
Ryan: Kate Vine? Well, yes, she was… All this has been thoroughly investigated, Inspector, it was suicide.
Jenks: Well, we have reason to believe there may be rather more to it than that.
Ryan: Really? In that case, I’d be prepared to assist in any way possible.
Jenks: Thank you.
Ryan: Pleasure.

Jenks: I believe the last time you saw Kate Vine was at the pub last Friday, then you came straight back with some of the students. Is that right?
Ryan: Yes, I like to have a glass of port or two after a long day, benefits of being married to the landlady.
Jenks: How did she seem that night?
Ryan: The landlady?
Jenks: Kate.
Ryan: Oh, Kate. Well she was her usual self, drunk.
Jenks: That was usual?
Ryan: It was for her, yes. I mean, it didn’t impair her ability though, she was a very bright star, lots of potential, very enthusiastic.
Jenks: So she seemed to be enjoying the course?
Ryan: Well, as far as anyone could tell, yes.
Jenks: When did you first meet her?
Ryan: Er… When she joined, about three months ago.
Jenks: And you hadn’t met her before then?
Ryan: No.
Jenks: So YOU didn’t suspect there was anything wrong?
Ryan: Do you mean, did I expect her to drown herself? Of course I didn’t, Inspector. It was quite a shock. Nobody expected that.

Jenks: Have you seen this before?
Ryan: Not that I recall.
Jenks: You don’t know whether Kate had lost this or not?
Ryan: No, I’ve never seen it before, sorry.

Jenks: Does Simon Thompson ride a bike, do you know?
Ryan: I think so, yes. I think he drives as well, but I might be mistaken.

Jenks: Have you tried Simon’s homebrew?
Ryan: Does he make homebrew? No, I haven’t had the pleasure, sorry.

Jenks: Know what this is?
Ryan: Yes. It’s a Freedom necklace. It’s a symbol we use on the course. It’s supposed to represent freedom from the chains of your ancestry.
Jenks: Have you ever bought one of these?
Ryan: I haven’t, but I’ve seen the students wearing them.

Jenks: What do you know about the broken window at the back of the pub?
Ryan: Oh, Rebecca told me about it. I don’t know how it got smashed though. I told her to tape over it, we can’t have anyone cutting themselves. You have to be very health and safety conscious these days.

Jenks: Can you tell me about this?
Ryan: Haven’t seen that for a while. We had a friend who used to make them for us, for the course. He passed away last year.
Jenks: What does the symbol mean?
Ryan: It’s borrowed from Paganism. It’s the symbol of the triple Goddess, the mother, maiden and crone, represented by the waxing and waning of the moon. It’s an ancient symbol, it pre-dates Christianity. Some people say it dates back to Palaeolithic times.
Jenks: And it’s that relevant to the course?
Ryan: Well, no, it’s a symbol we dabbled with, but it’s not particularly relevant. We don’t use it on the course, no.

Jenks: Do you know anything about an argument in the pub last Friday?
Ryan: What time?
Jenks: I believe it wasn’t long after the pub opened.
Ryan: No, I usually leave for the manor house at about six… I start preparation early, I like to get a head start.

Jenks: Tell me about this.
Ryan: Ah. That’s the first one we ever had made. We had it designed by an agency after we spent weeks trying to find a name for this place.
Jenks: It took you weeks?
Ryan: Don’t be like that, Inspector! I thought it was a rather grand name. Actually, if I’m being honest, I plucked it out of thin air one night in the George while I was having a few gin and tonics… Well, actually, someone left a book and I stole it.

Jenks: Have you seen one of these before?
Ryan: I believe that’s… Looks like a scrying mirror to me.
Jenks: You HAVE seen one before?
Ryan: I used to have one myself actually, along with lots of other bits and pieces of that nature, silly things, you know…
Jenks: Really?
Ryan: When I was in my teenage years, I had quite an obsession with that kind of thing. I was a very sombre child, not that you could tell. Always playing fantasy games, reading books about that kind of… malarkey.
Jenks: What sort of books did you read?
Ryan: Books on black magic, not the chocolates… Er… Witchcraft, Satanic rituals, that kind of thing. I grew out of it, of course.
Jenks: You’re not into that sort of thing now?
Ryan: Of course I’m not! I don’t NEED to believe in the supernatural, Inspector. The natural world is far more interesting. Don’t you think so?

Jenks: What can you tell me about Liam?
Ryan: Oh, Liam. You mean the boy who committed… Very unfortunate, isn’t it?
Jenks: Did you know him?
Ryan: Oh yes, well, I say, know him, I met him in the pub. Seemed a very happy sort of person… Well, I say he seemed happy, he can’t have been, can he…

Jenks: If I did this, would that mean anything to you?
Ryan: It’s a Devil sign, isn’t it? Is that what you’re getting at, Inspector?
Jenks: This is not something you use on the course?
Ryan: Of course, it’s not something we use on the course, Inspector. I don’t know what that could possibly mean exactly.

Jenks: Could you tell me a bit about the phrase Free To Be Free?
Ryan: Free To Be Free, my favourite motto. We teach our students that people… well, they suffer from excessive guilt, don’t they. Excessive self-criticism, excessive self-doubt… Evils of excess, we call them. And we tell our students that if they rid themselves of these… evils, then they’re free to realise their full potential.
Jenks: Who came up with all this?
Ryan: I have a background in psychology.
Jenks: Honestly?
Ryan: Don’t look so surprised, Inspector, there’s an intellect lurking in here.
Jenks: When did you come up with that phrase?
Ryan: When we were based at the village hall. When I say we, I came up with the phrase. Dad’s more the money man.
Jenks: And very successful too, I hear.
Ryan: Oh, he’s successful, but he’s not a creative man. Dad suffers from a lack of imagination.

Jenks: Do you know what this is?
Ryan: Looks like chopped tea bags to me. What is it?
Jenks: I just thought you might know.
Ryan: I don’t know anything about plants, Inspector. What you should do is ask Rebecca, she knows far more about these things than I do. Messy things, growing things…

Jenks: Have you ever heard of Salvia Divinorum?
Ryan: No. What is it?
Jenks: It’s a hallucinogenic plant. A legal one, at least for the moment.
Ryan: I’ve no interest in drugs, Inspector. My job. That’s the only drug that I need. As trite as that may sound…
Jenks: Do you know any students who may have used hallucinogens?
Ryan: No, my students aren’t interested in that kind of thing, besides… no one is allowed drugs or alcohol onto the site. I don’t think anyone has ever brought drugs to Atlas.
Jenks: Do you have any medicines on site at all?
Ryan: No, we’re not allowed. Insurance purposes.

Jenks: What do you know about this?
Ryan: Not much.
Jenks: So you’ve never seen this before? You don’t know anything about Third Eye?
Ryan: Well I don’t remember seeing it, no.
Jenks: You don’t recognise any of the symbols on it?
Ryan: No. Sorry.

---

WE REALLY NEED A DRINK

Chief: Tell me something interesting, Jenks!
Jenks: Got some more news for you, sir. James Wilson has been telling me all about a cult called Third Eye, used to be based in the village. According to James, they were brainwashing people using ECT machines and drugs, then selling them to politicians for profit. Slave trading.
Chief: What? I don’t believe this.
Jenks: James says Liam was killed because he was threatening to expose them. He made a flyer which he claims led to them closing down. I suppose it’s difficult to know how much to believe.
Chief: I don’t think it’s that difficult, Jenks. I wouldn’t believe any of it. This guy sounds like he’s smoked one too many of those Salvia bongs to me.
Jenks: Well, I suppose that’s entirely possible. Some of what he said did remind me of Atlas though, I have to say.
Chief: Have you asked them about this? Ryan Rand?
Jenks: He says he’s never seen the flyer.
Chief: Well, make sure he isn’t telling you porkies, Jenks. Get yourself a stiff drink as well.
Jenks: Yes, Chief.
Chief: Going to need it by the sound of it. Bye.

---

RYAN, YOU LITTLE SNEAK!

Jenks: Ryan, you’ve just told me all about the moon symbols on the mask, then you’re claiming you don’t know anything about the symbols on the flyer. It’s all the same thing.
Ryan: Oh, actually, yes, sorry. Yes, I do remember that.
Jenks: So what DID you know about Third Eye?
Ryan: Oh, not much really, never came into contact with them.
Jenks (for himself): That explanation was way too short. Ryan’s definitely hiding something.

Jenks: According to the flyer, this Third Eye group was based at the village hall, is that right?
Ryan: Was it?
Jenks: And that’s where you were based, wasn’t it? Yeah, you said you invented the Atlas phrase Free To Be Free while you were based at the village hall.
Ryan: Hmmm… So I did.
Jenks: So you MUST have come into contact with Third Eye at some point, you were using the same hall!
Ryan: Well… I’m afraid I haven’t been… entirely honest with you, Inspector.
Jenks: Go on…
Ryan: You see, Third Eye… Third Eye is, or was, Atlas under a different name. Sorry.
Jenks: Atlas IS Third Eye?
Ryan: In a new improved form, yes.
Jenks: And you ran Third Eye?
Ryan: With dad, yes.
Jenks: So you must have known Liam! You didn’t just meet him, did you?
Ryan: Yes, I knew him, Inspector, but don’t get your hopes up. All of this has been thoroughly investigated and cleaned up.
Jenks: You’ve been investigated about his death?
Ryan: They dropped the case, we didn’t have anything to do with it. When I say dropped the case, I mean the police investigation is one thing, what the public think is another. They threatened to go public, then James bloody Wilson started distributing his flyers… And that was it. No choice. It was an end to it.
Jenks: You had to change the name…
Ryan: We’d already paid the family an out of court settlement. We thought that was an end to it. But then James and his cronies, they wouldn’t leave it alone… so we had to close down. Buy a new place. Re-brand. So eventually we reopened here.
Jenks: As Atlas?
Ryan: As Atlas.
Jenks: And it worked?
Ryan: Up to now, yes.
Jenks: So you knew James Wilson too?
Ryan: We knew James, but he didn’t know us, as such. Oh, he was very quick to shoot us down, but he didn’t do anything like actually coming to the course to see what it was about.
Jenks: So James wouldn’t know that you were now running Atlas?
Ryan: Not unless he came to one of our courses.
Jenks: And how much of that stuff was true? ECT machines, brain washing?
Ryan: I’m afraid that that exists only exclusively in the mind of Mr Wilson… All we do is make better business people. We challenge their prejudices and presumptions. Why don’t you come along and see for yourself, the course starts in fifteen minutes. [PHONE RINGS] Excuse me, Inspector… Hello… I can’t come back now… Well, you have my car at the moment. Alright… Alright… See you later. That was dad, I have to go back. You can come and meet him if you like?
Jenks: Well, I might come and have a chat!
Ryan: Come with me.

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