“No money worries?” I said.

“My mother had had a long and expensive illness and I think Dad was still paying off hospitals and doctors for years after she died. He loved the school he was at and wouldn’t go for promotions that’d take him away. So there wasn’t much money, but it never seemed to matter. I went to James Ruse High and on from there. It must have been tough for him at times, but he never complained.”

“You say his health was good?”

She tucked the chequebook away, clicked off her pen and gave me her level look. “You mean, what about his sex life? You’d probably also like to know about mine. Mm?”

“Natural curiosity, nothing more.”

She grinned. “Dad played golf at Chatswood. I understand there was a woman there he spent some time with. I don’t know her name but I could find out. We saw each other most weeks, Dad and me, but we didn’t live in each other’s pockets.”

“The name could be useful.”

“You’re being diplomatic, I see. I’m bi-sexual and I’m between partners at the moment. I believe in being upfront too, Mr Hardy, and I want you to understand that I owe my Dad more than he’s got from the bloody police so far.”

“I understand. I’ll do everything I can. Have you got a recent photograph of your father?”

“Not very recent. The one I had I gave to the police, and they haven’t returned it yet.”

“I should be able to get hold of it.”

She stood up and straightened her over-all. “I must say I’m a bit disappointed.”

“How’s that?”

“Roberta said you were… charming and quite funny.”

I was standing too by this time and I waved my hand at the papers on the desk. “I’ve got a few problems that’re cutting down on the charm and the laughs. Tell you what, though, I could show you something that’d give you a laugh.”

“What’s that?”