Manny’s face is even more serious as he covers the next story. CHIEF INSPECTOR LINKED TO HOUSEMATE HOMICIDE. A photo of Bowman in full uniform shaking the former premier’s hand appears, followed by a statement from the Chief Commissioner of Police, who is stony-faced and simmering with rage. She abhors Bowman’s alleged actions and vows to stamp out every single hint of corruption in the force.

Oli dozes for a while. When she wakes she calls TJ, and he tells her things that aren’t yet public. The paedophile ring is far-reaching: two priests, a high school teacher, a sports star and two high-profile businessmen have been implicated so far, but it’s suspected there are many more. Several of them met at university, including Bowman and McCrae. Three women have come forward, admitting their role in the operation; all of them were from troubled homes, needing money or desperate to avoid a low-level conviction. They sold photos of their siblings or cousins, guilt chewing away at them like a tumour.

A significant amount of pornographic content featuring Louise has been found online. The photographs range from her as a toddler to now. Presumably, taken and distributed by Nicole in exchange for money.

Oli pushes the food away, closes her eyes and imagines the torrid virtual rubble her peers are trawling through—the relentless leads and fact checking, the cautious lawyers stamping their feet. No one in the media is going to get much sleep over the next few days.

She falls into a restless nap. Oli’s dreams and memories mix with the news updates, forming a strange montage of fact and fiction.

She emerges from the fog when the afternoon news anchor says Isabelle’s name. Her case is officially being reopened. Links to organised crime and police force corruption are being explored. Tears run down Oli’s face.

By evening the news sites have exploded with think pieces pondering how the housemates could have committed the ultimate betrayal. The Sun is launching a podcast called Evil Women: Why They Do It.

Overall, there’s more outrage about the women involved than the male instigators.

Feeling a little stronger, Oli eats her dinner. Afterwards, she stares out the window at the city. Time feels slippery. Out of order. The scene at the house with Bowman and Nathan seems like it happened weeks ago. Before she fell asleep last night, one of the nurses told her that Dean’s surgery went well, that he’s been asking for her. She flicks her phone to silent and slides it across the bedside table. A nub of apprehension is forming in her gut. Dean’s mother is bringing the girls in to visit him tomorrow; they want to see her too.

Oli changes the channel and tries to focus on a cooking show, but now all she can think about is Dean.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2015

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2015