‘Yes. I’m old-fashioned in some ways, but I wear a digital watch.’

‘So you do, and you’re looking at it. Are you an impatient man?’

‘Yes.’

‘Are you an intelligent man, Mr Hardy?’

‘I don’t think there’s an intelligent answer to that question. My guess is that the thing you’re most likely to overestimate is your own intelligence.’

‘I see. I thought you were a little defensive about dropping out of university.’

‘Maybe. If I’ve got a reputation for anything it’s for seeing matters through. I like to finish things off, if I can. I feel bad if I can’t.’

‘That’s the first serious thing we’ve heard you say.’

‘You come to me with a serious problem and pay me serious money and you’ll see how serious I can get.’

‘Do you smoke and drink?’

‘Stopped smoking years ago. Sometimes I go a day without a drink if I’m too busy or I forget.’

‘Where do you do most of your work.’

‘In Sydney. All over the city. I’ll go to the bush if I have to, but I prefer pavements to paddocks.’

‘What sort of work do you prefer?’

‘I take what comes along. The client has to be at least as honest and ethical as me.’

‘How honest and ethical is that?’

‘Impossible to answer. As much as I can be while doing my job.’

‘What are you afraid of?’

‘Boredom, bureaucrats and bullshit.’

‘I was told by one of your referees that you were charming. We haven’t seen much of that in this interview.’

‘I’m sorry. You were right. I resent these proceedings and I’m a bit tense. The charm tends to drop away when I’m tense. When this is all over, I’ll be charming.’

‘How would you describe your relations with the police?’

‘I find it hard to be charming with the police.’

‘What about with other professionals you come in contact with?’