The Cuckoo's Calling

Wardle meets Strike at a pub, where Strike presents him with the piece of paper: Lula’s will. He and Wardle argue about securing a warrant, which Wardle thinks Strike has not presented enough evidence to justify. Back at the office, Strike’s leg pain is so intense he collapses onto the couch. Robin and Strike each other up on their discoveries. Both John and Tony have tried to contact Strike and are livid. Strike sends Robin home early so he can remove his prosthetic. He then waits for someone to visit the office, falling asleep.

Strike is woken by someone arriving, and John enters the office. He upbraids Strike for visiting his mother alone. Strike secretly begins recording on his phone, then tells John about the will he found in the lining of Lula’s handbag. He reveals that Lula left everything to her biological brother, Jonah Agyeman, who was also the man captured on CCTV footage the night of her death. Strike then accuses John of the murder and outlines his theory.

Because of the recession, the stock market shares that make up John’s trust fund have depleted, leading him to embezzle from clients. He thus needs Lula’s money both to suit his greed and to replace the money he has stolen.