Chapter 3

Val hesitated. It had been almost an hour since they’d left the Russell Street Police Station.

Constable Valerie Robertson had been attached to the Melbourne District Traffic & Patrol Division for her ‘training’ after the Academy – she knew the notorious ‘Banana Alley’ Precinct and ‘The Crazy Horse’ Strip Club quite intimately, as she did both ‘The Tunnel’ Nightclub and ‘The Wild Cherries’ Bar in King Street. Two nights earlier, she’d been at ‘The Tunnel’ with Senior Constable Diana ‘Dee Dee’ D’Agostino and ‘Acting’ Sergeant Crystal Anne Wallace. They’d all been quite drunk. And, they all ‘snorted’ cocaine with several of the ‘Strippers’ who worked at ‘The Crazy Horse’ too – ‘The Tunnel’ was a popular haunt for female police officers from ‘City Traffic’ as the Melbourne District Traffic & Patrol Division was more commonly known, as it was for those policewomen from both the Russell Street and City West Police Stations. For the most part, neither ‘Probationary’ Constable Yvonne Thompson nor both ‘Probationary’ Constable Sonya Campbell and Constable Valerie Robertson, had ever really felt welcome at the ‘Police Club’ in McKenzie Street. Akin to the ‘Cop Bar’ often portrayed in American TV shows, ‘The Club’ was conveniently located behind the Russell Street Police Station. But, it was far too full of testosterone for a bi-sexual or lesbian police officer like Valerie Robertson,

“So, this is ‘The Tunnel’ huh...?”

It took Val a moment to realise that it was Sonya talking. ‘Probationary’ Constable Sonya Gallagher had never been to ‘The Tunnel’ Nightclub in King Street...?

Along with Val, the thirty year old Divorcee had conducted a cursory ‘search’ of two street prostitutes in Banana Alley. They’d sized some Cocaine, but ‘Lucky Phil’ had directed they be let go – Constable ‘Val’ Robertson had witnessed the policeman speak with their ‘Pimp’ but had not said anything to her colleagues. A months earlier, the notorious female ‘Pimp’ had performed cunnilingus on her in the Ladies Loo in Flinders Street, so she had wanted to be a little discreet in ‘The Countess’ Avalon’s presence. Val could ill afford too many awkward questions from ‘Lucky Phil’ or Jane.

Constable Jane ‘The Cunt’ Millicent had said very little. She seemed to regard the three ‘General Duties’ policewomen as unnecessary baggage. Nothing more, nothing less – Vale thought Jane was jealous and that had intrigued her. ‘Lucky Phil’ and his ‘Special Duties’ Section, had all but ignored her and the other two girls. It was almost as if they were on their own. Yvonne and Sonya remained indifferent to Jane.

Prior to that, they’d all waited outside the ‘Young and Jacksons’ Pub in Swanston Street, as Sergeant ‘Lucky Phil’ Saunders and his ‘Special Duties’ Section spoke with the Publican. So far, there had been little to concern any of the ‘General Duties’ policewomen...?

But now, they had arrived at ‘The Tunnel’ Nightclub.

“You’ve not been here before...?” queried Yvonne.

Sonya shook her head. Not even for an official reason.

‘Probationary’ Constable Sonya Gallagher frequented ‘The Wild Cherries’ Club and ‘The Crazy Horse’ but had yet to step inside ‘The Tunnel’ Nightclub – that was the second surprise of the night for Val...

“This is my first time, Val...” Sonya whispered finally. Val could scarcely believe it...?

‘Probationary’ Constable Yvonne Thompson had first visited ‘The Tunnel’ Nightclub when she was just a ‘trainee’ at the Russell Street ‘Women Police’ Division – she had witnessed much as a ‘trainee’ policewoman, including a prostitute ‘fucking’ a drunken Senior Constable Diana ‘Dee Dee’ D’Agostino, but said nothing to ‘Probationary’ Constable Sonya Campbell as they entered ‘The Tunnel’ at last,

“Well, this is ‘The Tunnel’...?” Val had whispered in Sonya’s ear.

She tugged at the sleeve of her uniform shirt. Val followed Sonya and Yvonne through the front door,

“Well then...?” she heard a familiar voice ask. Sonya disappeared from view. Val hesitated...

“What do we have here?” the female voice demanded – Val followed Sonya through the next door.

“Just a routine ‘check’ – nothing more...” Val heard ‘Lucky Phil’ reply.

Just inside the second door, Sonya waited with Yvonne. The rest of the Russell Street ‘Special Duties’ Section lingered by the bar – Constable Jane ‘The Slut’ Millicent stood with Sergeant ‘Lucky Phil’ Saunders at the far end. Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ O’Donoghue spoke again...

“Nothing for you to worry about...?” the policeman added. Lizzie now saw the other policewomen.

“What’s this, Sarge?” the Manageress enquired – Val ushered Sonya and Yvonne over to where Lizzie was speaking with ‘Lucky Phil’ and Jane,

“Policewomen huh...?”

“Y-Yes...” replied ‘Lucky Phil’ – the Manageress now turned to look at Jane,

“You going to play nice, Lizzie?” he asked – Jane bit her lip. Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ O’Donoghue had a taste for Policewomen...

“Maybe...?” Lizzie answered.

‘Probationary’ Constable Sonya Gallagher stood with Constable ‘Val’ Robertson and ‘Probationary’ Constable Yvonne Thompson by the end of the bar – suggestively, Lizzie licked slowly at her lips as she looked them over,

“And then again, maybe fuckin’ not, Sergeant Saunders...”

Moving a little closer to the Manageress, ‘Lucky Phil’ kissed her cheek. Jane grimaced.