Chapter 2

Lingering in the doorway, Rosie looked back towards the Main Street – there was nobody about to see what she was about to do. As the newest policewoman in Mount Thomas, she was attracting a little too much attention, and the last thing she wanted, was for any witnesses. ‘The Paragon’ Café had a reputation. And though official, her late afternoon ‘visit’ might arouse suspicion. That was why, she had waited until ‘Probationary’ Deirdre ‘Dash’ McKinley had left. The fresh-faced young brunette often had coffee at ‘The Paragon’ after work. Rosemary Eloise Egan wanted no distractions.

“Well, here goes nothing...?”

She turned and stepped inside – closing the door behind her.

It took her eyes a few moments to become accustomed to the gloom.

Pausing again, she looked for Rebecca...? Silhouetted by a series of flickering candles behind her, the Manageress was standing by the cash register – a white short-sleeved shirt knotted about her waist as usual. Rosie closed her eyes. Savouring the alluring scent of the candles, she recalled what Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon had said.

This was something quite different. Not quite routine for a country policewoman.

Cocaine and Prostitution. Rosie felt that the anonymous complaint lacked credibility, but she still had a job to do – she would make sure that her new ‘Officer in Charge’ had nothing to complain about,

“Hello...?” a voice greeted. Rosie opened her eyes.

Distracted by the scented candles, she said nothing,

“Well now, what do we have here then?” Rebecca teased.

“Hello there...?”

“Miss Campbell...” Rosie acknowledged – she caught a glimpse of two women kissing at the far end of the room,

“Miss Rebecca Campbell is it?”

Rebecca nodded. Rosie now saw Savannah by the doorway to the rear of the building.

She too, wore a short-sleeved white shirt knotted ‘halter style’ about her waist. And like Rebecca, she also wore a white apron over a black ‘pencil line’ skirt – it was the ‘uniform’ worn at ‘The Paragon’ Café...

“So...?”

Rosie took another step, \

“You must be the new policewoman huh...?” Rebecca asked – Rosie nodded,

“Y-Yes...” the policewoman confirmed, joining Rebecca at the counter,

“Rosemary...” she added – Savannah remained by the doorway,

“Senior Constable ‘Rosie’ Egan, Miss Campbell – sorry if I’m interrupting anything?”

“Is this a ‘Raid’ or something, Rosie...?” Rebecca responded – the policewoman shook her head.

“Tom Croydon know you’re here...?” the Manageress then asked – Rosie shook her head again...

“Not quite...” she whispered.

It was a lie. Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon knew exactly where she was...

“Make yourself comfortable, Rosie?” suggested Rebecca – the Manageress suspected the policewoman wasn’t being truthful, but said nothing. She glanced at Savannah,

“Coffee...?”

“Y-Yes...” Rosie confirmed – the two women continue to kiss, oblivious to the policewoman,

“You’ve just missed ‘Dash’...?” Rebecca muttered – the young brunette policewoman had long ignored Tom Croydon’s edict that ‘The Paragon’ was off limits to the Mount Thomas policewomen.

“C’est le vie...” Rosie answered.

“Is this official?” Rebecca asked. There was a sharper tone in her voice.

“N-No...” lied Rosie unconvincingly.

Rebecca smiled. But again, she didn’t’ challenge the policewoman.

She reached down, retrieving a bottle of Johnny Walker ‘Red Label’ from beneath the counter,

“So, you’re not hereto arrest me huh...?”

Rosie shook her head once again,

“Savannah...?” queried Rebecca,

“N-No...” responded the policewoman.

Rebecca poured a glass of Scotch for Rosie. This was strictly illegal. ‘The Paragon’ Café had no Liquor Licence, but Senior Constable Rosemary ‘Rosie’ Egan simply nodded. She didn’t really know why...? But, there was something about Rebecca...

“We don’t often get police ‘cunt’ in here, you understand?”

Rosie bit her lip.

“Tom Croydon doesn’t really like his ‘cunts’ associating with the likes of me and Savannah, you see?”

“Is that what I am...?” queried Rosie. Pausing, she turned and leant back against the counter, her eyes fixed on Savannah,

“Is that we are then, Miss Rebecca – Mistress Rebecca?” continued Rosie with a suggestive grin.

She didn’t realise it, but she was now holding the glass of Johnny Walker ‘Red Label’ in her hand...

“Maggie Doyle and ‘Dash’ McKinley...?” continued the policewoman, turning her attention to the two kissing women as she spoke,

“Are we just police ‘cunts’ huh...?”

She then raised the glass. Rebecca watched as Rosie savoured the first mouthful of Scotch,