‘No,’ I say. I take up my pad and sit down across from him. Some psychologists don’t like a pad as it can be seen as a barrier, and it can influence the client’s response. They make their notes between sessions. That’s not me. Writing notes helps to order my thoughts while we talk. I have rows and rows of notepads, filed away. Some were lost in the fire, but many more are here in the filing cabinet in my office or in our storage facility, collected over the years, so I can always refer back to past cases.

‘Long morning, was it?’ he says with a smile.

‘Something like that,’ I say, failing to keep the note of anxiety out of my voice.

I see his features shift, concern in his eyes. ‘What is it?’

‘Nothing, it’s fine. It was a long night.’

‘Right,’ he says. ‘Well, have you written any other books?’

‘Not yet, but I’ve got another guest lecture later in the year and I’m interested in the subject, so I might write about that.’

‘What is it?’

‘I’m researching Antisocial Personality Disorder.’

‘Sociopaths?’ he says. ‘Interesting.’

‘So how are you?’ I say, changing the subject.

‘I’m alright. I got another job.’

‘You did? That’s good to hear.’

He licks his lips and tilts his head. ‘It’s a crap job, but I need the money. At least I’m not working in a kitchen. I got it the day I applied.’

‘That’s good. Where is it?’

‘It’s a cafe. I applied for the kitchen hand, but the owner must have liked me ’cause she said she’d have me waiting tables instead.’

‘Good place to work?’

‘It is; good people. The barista is on my case already and it’s only been one shift.’

‘They don’t like you?’

‘No, the opposite as a matter of fact,’ he says, again flashing a smile. I feel a pang of something in my chest.

‘A romantic interest?’

‘Possibly. I think she’s quite eager, actually. Is that arrogant to say?’

‘Not if it’s the truth. Oh well, this job will keep you busy until your talents are needed elsewhere.’

‘Talents,’ he says, exhaling. ‘What talents?’

‘You’re very intelligent, Cormac. Adam Limbargo seems to think you’re exceptionally talented.’

He smiles. ‘I’ve been hearing that my whole life, but it doesn’t pay the bills or put food on the table. Whenever I hear “you’re talented” I always think it simply means I can achieve the same as everyone else but with marginally less effort.’

‘That’s one way of looking at it.’

‘You see it different?’

‘I see someone who can do more than most people, someone that can solve problems, someone that can change lives.’

He laughs at me, but there’s no meanness in it. ‘You see more in me than I see in myself, that’s for sure.’