bullshitting.’
‘Yeah? How d’you reckon to do that?’
Unbidden, an idea came into my mind. I said: ‘I’ll have someone with me who’s an expert on analysing testimony. She’ll record what Fay says and examine it. When and if she’s satisfied, you’ll get your money.’
There was a long silence. ‘Jesus. I don’t know about that.’
‘Take it or leave it. How’s Reg?’
‘What the fuck d’you care?’
‘I don’t much. Just thinking out loud. Mrs Master knows him and that counts for something. I thought Fay had an eye for him and he didn’t wave a gun at me. I’m wondering if we really need you in the picture, Jay.’
‘You’re a tricky bastard, Hardy, but it won’t work. Sucked in-Penny’s gay, didn’t you notice?’
I had, sort of. ‘Just trying to get you going, but what I say still holds. Two of us, two of you. A tape. A couple of hours. Then you get your payday. When’re you getting married?’
‘Fuck you. I’ll ring later.’
He hung up and I closed the mobile with a grin on my face. It never hurts to keep the opposition off balance. Worth a drink. I poured a moderate scotch and added a few millilitres of water. I had a candidate in mind for the testimony analysis.
The phone rang again before I’d done much damage to the drink. I picked it up and didn’t speak.
‘Hardy?’
‘You’re back.’
‘Don’t be more of a smartarse than you can help. Okay, we agree to your terms. The meet’s tomorrow, nine sharp. Here’s the address-flat three, 213a Darling Street, Balmain.’
I made a note, even though I was recording the call. ‘Why there?’
‘This isn’t a fuckin’ chitchat. That’s it.’
‘At a guess, Penny’s boat’s moored nearby.’
‘Fuck you.’
‘You sound anxious, Jay.’
‘I’m anxious to get the money. That’s all.’
‘Can I talk to Fay?’
‘No.’
‘Why not?’
‘Stop pissing around.’
‘Okay. You don’t imagine I’m going to waltz in with twenty-five thousand cash in my briefcase, do you?’
‘You better.’
‘Get real. You’re green as grass at this game, Jay. I’ve done it before. In this country, every bank transaction of ten thousand dollars and over gets reported to the authorities. Mrs Master’s going to have to make three withdrawals from three different accounts. She can’t make them between now and nine o’clock tomorrow. Maybe you’d like to take cheques?’
‘Jesus, if I was there, Hardy, I’d-’
‘I’m sure you would. You’re not old and you’re a kick-boxer. I’ve never understood that sport, if that’s what it is. Kicking was considered cowardly when I was growing up.’
He let out a stream of obscenities and I realised that he was pretty drunk. There was the sound of a whispered exchange, then an altercation at the end of the line and a different voice cut through: ‘Hardy? This is Fay. What’re you playing at?’
‘Welcome to Australia, Fay. Nothing, really, just trying to ensure a level playing field.’ I repeated what I’d said to Montefiore about the money. Fay didn’t rant and rave.
‘You listen to me, Hardy. You’d better turn up with five grand minimum or it’s no deal. Your client should be able to lay her hands on that much one way or another between now and then. If she can’t, she’s probably not going to come up with the rest. You tell her that. You tell her as soon as this call ends. And don’t bother with the call-back number. We won’t be there.’
Fay was the real player and the one with the savvy. ‘All right, Fay,’ I said. ‘That’s one for your team. But I’ve got one more condition.’
‘I’m running out of patience here. What?’
‘I’ll want to see that. 38 sitting somewhere in plain view, unloaded, with the cylinder open.’
‘You’re paranoid.’
‘Big word. D’you know what it means?’
End of call.
16
I phoned Lorraine and gave her the story. She asked why I’d played so hard to get and I told her I didn’t like being dictated to and that, with people like this, you had to keep an edge. And that I had another reason.
‘What’s that?’
‘I thought you might like to come along-as this nonexistent testimony analyser.’
‘At nine o’clock in the morning in Balmain? Have you any idea what my day is looking like tomorrow?’
‘It was just a thought. You’re shelling out a lot of money. I thought you deserved a chance to look at where it’s going. As well as that, I think you probably are a good judge of character, with the occasional slip, and you might be better able to judge the value of what Fay says than me.’
‘You really think that?’
‘I do.’
‘No ulterior motive?’
‘How d’you mean?’
‘I can guess what you think of me, Cliff. That I’m one of those women attracted to bad men. Like the helicopter lady, right?’
‘It crossed my mind.’
‘Maybe you’re the same. Attracted to women with bad track records with men. Bitches.’
‘I wouldn’t say that.’
‘Jesus, as if I haven’t got enough worries. But what if they know me? What if someone’s been watching me, or Penny’s given them a description?’
‘Good point. Got a wig? Four-inch heels?’
She gave a snort of amusement. ‘I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it. How much money should I scrape up?’
‘Four thousand.’
‘I thought you said five.’
‘Stuff them.’
She laughed and we agreed to meet in Balmain a few minutes before the appointed time. I’d be there earlier but I didn’t tell her that.
I realised I still had half of the drink I’d made when Montefiore’s first call came through. I hadn’t touched it through the second call or when talking to Lorraine. I freshened it up and sat back. What are you doing? I thought. The woman’s ripped the heart out of two weak men and she’s prepared to go to bat for a third strong one only so he can co-parent for her. Keep your professional and emotional distance. I hadn’t even liked her at first. But then, I hadn’t liked Cyn with her North Shore ways straight off, or Helen Broadway with her divided loyalties, or Glen Withers, imbued with the police culture. I drank the scotch and wrestled with the thought that maybe Lorrie Master was right-I was attracted to unsuitable women. If so, too bad.
I was in Balmain just before eight, with a pair of field glasses, a miniature tape recorder and a camera. First stop was the wharf at the end of Darling Street to make a sweep of the water with the glasses. It was a clear, crisp morning with no breeze yet to speak of. The Harbour Bridge looked majestic in the near distance and I watched the ferry to the Quay pull away with its cargo of office workers who at least could start and end the day
