Chapter 7

Part 4

Sergeant ‘Killer’ Caldwell and Senior Constable ‘Wild Bill’ O’Donoghue had returned at last. Constable Maggie Doyle had returned to the ‘Women Police’ Office not a moment too soon, for both ‘Killer’ and ‘Wild Bill’ had walked through the front door as the former ‘Miss Victoria Police’ had disappeared out the back door of the Flemington Police Station. Much to her surprise, her two Nightshift colleagues had said little to Kelly - Sergeant Clive ‘Killer’ Caldwell was drunk. And, Senior Constable ‘Wild Bill’ O’Donoghue had boasted of ‘fucking’ the new ‘trainee’ policewomen from Moonee Ponds, in the rear of the Divisional Van. ‘Trainee’ Constable Susie Raynor had become besotted with the handsome ‘Wild Bill’ so that had really been no surprise to Kelly.

As if on cue, Sergeant Barry McKnight and Sergeant ‘Bluey’ Wilson had arrived for work a few minutes later. Ironically in view of what had happened, they too said very little to Kelly. Not that she minded.

Kelly had been worried that she might say or do something. A guilt smile. A blush. Or maybe, if they had reprimanded her over something trivial or petty, she might’ve been a little too insubordinate for her own good. But, all her arrogant ‘Officer in Charge’ had offered was a curt greeting. ‘Bluey’ as usual, had ignored her. Everything had been done. The filing. The telephone message book. And, Kelly had even managed to change the bedding in the Male Cells. Not that anybody really commented, but that was nothing new. Kelly could hardly believe that she’d had got away with it.

She opened her eyes. Senior Constable ‘Lucky Phil’ Murchison arrived to take over for her – not all the ‘male’ police officers with whom Kelly now worked treated her with the same contempt that Barry McKnight did. ‘Lucky Phil’ offered her encouragement. Most however, were indifferent. More often than not, Kelly was ignored – that seemed much better than having to spurn their sexual advances!

There was nothing incriminating within the Watchousekeeper’s Office. Margaret Ann Doyle had seen to that. Nor was there any task that Kelly hadn’t completed as she finally signed herself off at last...

The previous night’s rain had gone. ‘Lucky Phil’ beckoned her goodbye and reluctantly, Kelly left via the front door – she found it surprising that she was so reticent to leave. Exhausted, she had been looking forward to bed and sleep. She was due back in less than sixteen hours. But somehow, she just didn’t want to leave the Flemington Police Station. It was almost as if, by staying a little longer, she could relive her experiences with Sandra again. Nonetheless, she knew that she must go.

Wellington Street was deserted still. But, the morning sun was already offering a reassuring warmth – for most of the night, the temperature had hovered somewhere between twenty-six and thirty degrees Celsius, despite the rain. Kelly estimated that it was still almost thirty degrees as she crossed over the road. If anything, the torrential rain had washed Wellington Street clean. And she too, felt clean.

Maggie and Joanna had already gone. Ostensibly, they’d both finished their shift at two o’clock in the morning – Kelly had no doubt that Joanna would’ve sorted out the ‘Women Police’ Office so Senior Sergeant Monica Draper suspected nothing. Maggie would have double checked it too. Stepping onto the kerb, Kelly paused. She glanced back at the front door of the Flemington Police Station for a moment. Smiling to herself, she looked across the fence at the roof of the ‘Women Police’ Office too.

It still seemed unbelievable...? Had she really let Sandra and Joanna ‘tongue’ her on Monica ‘The Black Widow’ Draper’s desk – Kelly could still not quite believe it as she turned to walk to Newmarket Railway Station. Whilst she had a Victorian Driver’s Licence, the young blonde had no car. She’d take the next Broadmeadows train to Ascot Vale – less than five minutes away. And then, she only had to walk the last three hundred yards to her comfortable bungalow. Kelly Maree O’Rourke would be home in less than twenty minutes. The ‘borrowed’ uniform shirt felt a little tight. Crisp and clean. Much to her delight, Joanna had given her a brand new policewoman’s shirt – the dark-blue uniform skirt nevertheless, was a little big. But that didn’t matter. All that really concerned her now was Sandra.