Melbourne Today understands that Horrowitz and the McCraes are alleged to have been commissioning and circulating child pornography via illegal internet sites, and that these platforms may also have been used to target and locate specific children for the purposes of kidnapping and trafficking.

The child recently in Ms Horrowitz’s custody is unharmed and was not at the property at the time of the arrest. Her identity and suspected long-term abuse is currently being investigated. Detectives are remaining tight-lipped regarding the rumours she is missing toddler Louise Carter.

The alleged involvement of law-enforcement officials in this investigation has reopened the debate about systemic corruption in the force and the protection of whistle-blowers. It is understood that several police officers have been targeted after lodging complaints, with various tactics used to silence them.

Melbourne Today believes the murder of a homicide detective several years ago may be linked to police cover-ups. A major taskforce has been established to investigate, and the chief commissioner is due to provide an update at a press conference later today.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE: THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

A FOOD CART RATTLES DOWN THE CORRIDOR OUTSIDE OLI’S ROOM. A nurse with hair curled tight like tiny springs noses it into the doorway. ‘Orange or apple juice, love?’

‘Orange, please.’

Oli’s head still throbs but perhaps slightly less than it did yesterday. She presses the button to elevate the top section of the bed. Drinks her juice and listens to the nurse push the trolley around the ward.

Yesterday morning, TJ came straight from the McCraes’ house to the hospital and persuaded a nurse to let him in even though it was well before visiting hours. He charmed the same nurse into bringing him a latte. Looking more haggard than Oli had ever seen him, he drank the coffee and told her about Nicole’s arrest. Then he set up his laptop on a side table. He typed while Oli dictated the exclusive. He corrected the facts and helped her fill in the details, and she closed her eyes while he read it back to her.

She was asleep before he filed the story. Dawn was missing in action so he sent the piece straight to Joosten. When Oli woke a few hours later, TJ was curled in the hospital chair, snoring lightly, his neck bent to the left, legs stretched awkwardly out in front of him.

Lily and Shaun visited in the afternoon, and they all watched the news together.

Diana McCrae had taken a chance with Oli, concocting a story that placed her and her husband squarely in the centre of the story, hoping this would explain away their link to Nicole and any evidence that surfaced.