He shrugs. ‘Project management, I think. Anyway, I messaged the Facebook person and found out the company is called Everyday Green. I tried a few times to get in contact with her, but they wouldn’t put me through. I even sent a letter, but I didn’t hear back, so in the end I tracked her down on social media.’

‘She has a public account?’ Oli asks, surprised.

‘Only Twitter. And it wasn’t easy—she goes under Al_R_85. But I had a hunch it was her. She kept retweeting links to victim advocate sites and stories about legal loopholes and mistreatment by cops. And environment stuff. I sent her a DM, and we messaged back and forth a few times. I think it took her a little while to believe I was legit.’

‘And then you just asked her to do an interview?’

He dips his head up and down. ‘Pretty much!’

‘When was this?’

‘About three weeks ago. The digital team is planning to launch the podcast series with the Alex interview at the end of this month, but we have a ton of other interviews lined up.’

‘Right.’ Oli is unconvinced. ‘And was this all your idea?’

‘No, it came straight from the big man himself. Joosten gets we need to diversify—you know, evolve or die.’

Oli makes a dismissive sound, masking the betrayal she feels. ‘What we really need to do is invest in quality journalism.’

‘Podcasting is quality journalism. I’ve heard The Australian is working on one, and they’ve invested a massive portion of their budget in it.’

‘Podcasts clearly have their place,’ Oli says, pragmatically, ‘but a newspaper isn’t a broadcaster, and I don’t really think jumping on the shiny bandwagon is the way to go when we could be building on what we already have and what we’re known for. You know they cut half the subeditors last year?’

Cooper lifts his skinny shoulders, clearly happy to disagree. ‘Don’t worry, my mum doesn’t get it either. She thinks I’m just dicking around on my phone.’

‘Yes, well.’ A cramp is forming in Oli’s left calf. ‘Your mum sounds smart. When is the interview with Alex scheduled?’

‘Sunday morning at the office, but we spoke last week.’

‘You already spoke to her?’ Oli can’t believe what a wasted opportunity this is—the kid is sitting on exclusive content about the one person that everyone will sell their soul to speak to.

Cooper looks confused. ‘Of course. I had to plan out my interview questions and get a feel for the tone of the show.’

She laughs in spite of herself. ‘It’s a true crime interview, isn’t it? I would have thought the tone is pretty set.’

Cooper reddens. ‘I just want to make sure she feels comfortable with me. She seemed to appreciate it.’