Remnants of a birthday cake sit on the corner of TJ’s empty desk, a knife lying across the crumby carcass. Oli’s insides clench at the memory of his strange intervention in the car park. They should talk properly, cut the bullshit, but the whole thing just feels so tedious. She really hates the politics, she always has, and she’s aware that her refusal to aggressively play the game might mean she loses. TJ, however, is clearly in his element.

The TV footage cuts to Bowman stepping out from police headquarters. Mics and phones are thrust into his face. He ushers the media away, not bothering to hide his irritation. The entire newsroom quietens; people freeze mid-task or hastily end phone calls.

‘I’ll make this easy for you all.’ Bowman’s voice is gruff but clear. ‘I have no comment regarding the recent accusations against John O’Brien, but they will be dealt with through the appropriate channels. If an arrest is made, I’m sure you will all follow the necessary reporting rules. In relation to Alexandra Riboni’s death, there is growing evidence Ms Riboni’s mental health deteriorated over the past few weeks, and we believe she may have gone to the property with the intention of causing harm to a former acquaintance before deciding to end her life. We believe this incident triggered a chain of events that has led to the disappearance of a young woman.’ He brings his stocky fingers together and looks around with a sense of non-negotiable finality. ‘That’s it, folks, I have a meeting to get to.’

A few feeble cries follow his hunched figure up the footpath. The live cross cuts back to the studio with graphics behind the anchor reading, ANOTHER O’BRIEN VICTIM? The same tired montage fills the screen, ending with the earlier footage of the accuser’s walrus-like lawyer holding court with the pack of journalists.

Oli almost goes straight back up to the studio to discuss Bowman’s theory with Cooper. Is he right? Did a mentally unstable Alex Riboni track her old friend down in Crystalbrook and attempt to finish the job she started all those years ago? Did she hold Nicole responsible for what happened to Evelyn, blame her for the time she spent in gaol? But then, why did Alex end her own life? Maybe she wanted Nicole to find her body as some kind of punishment. And what about the fire? Was it intentional?

Oli blinks several times, trying to rally her tired eyes. There’s no point interrupting Cooper again today, but tomorrow they’re going to have to call a truce. She checks the time: just over two hours until the swimming carnival. She heads to the lift and down to the car park, her long hair flying behind her.

Oli hangs her bag on a kitchen chair. A pigeon parades along the window ledge, stopping every few steps to peer down its beak at her. The appliances gleam, and the marble bench is spotless. Thursday, of course: cleaning day. How odd to have a stranger come here, touching their things and judging their lives. Her father was always yelling at her mother about the state of the house, not that he was ever motivated enough to clean it himself.