Chapter 1

Susie hesitated.

Seated at her desk, the twenty-five year old blonde ‘trainee’ had been sorting through paperwork on her own – yet again, she’d found herself rostered with ‘Probationary’ Constable Kelly O’Rourke on Morning Shift, but there had been little to do. It had been less than a month since she’d arrived at Sunbury on transfer. But, she was no longer the ‘new’ policewoman at the Sunbury ‘Uniform Branch’ as she attended to her paperwork.

There had been no telephone calls to the Sunbury Police Station yet.

Nor had anybody come through the front door to the front counter.

But, there was always paperwork to do.

And, the newly-arrived Sergeant Tess Gallagher had reminded her of that an hour earlier.

Teresa Annette Gallagher though, had been more than happy with everything the two policewomen had submitted. She had transferred in that week. And, Senior Sergeant ‘Wild Bill’ O’Donoghue had placed the attractive thirty year old blonde ‘In Charge’ of all his policewomen.

Senior Constable Ben Stewart and Constable Jack Lawson were working together on the ‘Divisional Van’ whilst ‘Acting’ Inspector Monica Draper was the ‘Duty Officer’ – that left Susie and Kelly with both Tess and Maggie. Joanna and ‘Dash’ were rostered off. And, the newly-promoted Senior Constable Maggie Doyle was the Watchousekeeper...

Sunday morning was always quiet in Sunbury.

It had been threatening to rain for se several days, but the day had dawned warm and clear – only two months after Christmas, there had been little happening at the Sunbury Police Station all morning.

There had however, been ‘trouble’ downtown the previous night.

“S-Susie...?” called Kelly – the fresh-faced twenty-two year old blonde appeared in the doorway that separated the large ‘Muster Room’ from the Watchousekeeper’s Office,

“Seems we might have something to do this morning if you’re up for it?”

Susie looked up.

Alone with her thoughts, she’d not been paying attention to what Kelly and Maggie had been saying.

Margaret Ann Doyle was back in the ‘Sergeants Office’...

“There’s a problem downtown – Sergeant Gallagher thinks, we might be what’s needed to deal with it?”

Tess was with Maggie – she’d actually passed through the ‘Muster Room’ to the Watchousekeeper’s Office a few minutes earlier, without Susie noticing her.

“Intriguing...?”

“What’s it all about, Kelly?” Susie then asked...

“Do you know about,” enquired Kelly, “That new ‘Halfway House’ down in Horne Street then, Susie?”

Susie nodded. She’d heard something about the ‘Halfway House’ that was run by the Shire of Bulla,

“Well, seems there was something going on there, last night...?” Kelly explained – behind her, Senior Constable Maggie Doyle and Sergeant Tess Gallagher appeared in the doorway,

“Not that it was much really, as far as I can ascertain, Susie?” the younger policewoman conceded,

“But, the Council has asked that only Policewomen attend this morning, according to Monica Draper?”

Susie nodded again.

From what little she knew about the ‘Halfway House’ in Sunbury, that was to be expected,

“I don’t think,” added Kelly, “It will be much though, Susie?”

Kelly hesitated – she glanced back at Maggie and Tess...

“We really don’t have much trouble at the ‘Halfway House’...?” Kelly added with a sigh,

“Well, I’ve had enough of this paperwork for now...” replied Susie – she pushed her paperwork to one side,

“Why don’t we check it out anyway, Kelly?”

“Maybe a coffee at ‘The Paragon’ afterwards?” Susie then suggested as she stood up slowly...

“That’s if Sergeant Gallagher doesn’t mind...?”

The police radio crackled. It was nothing important.

“We might join you at ‘The Paragon’ huh...?” responded Tess with a smile,

“Joanna’s probably going to be there with Cassandra, Sarge?” added Maggie – it had been a risk, but Sergeant Tess Gallagher had been told about Constable Joanna Parrish and Cassandra ‘The Cunt’ Thompson. Tess was now part of the exclusive clique of female police officers stationed at Sunbury,

“Might be a chance to meet her, don’t you think...?”

The thirty year old Divorcee nodded,

“No time like the present, Kelly...?” Said Susie – the younger blonde policewoman nodded,

“Well,” she answered with a smile, “At least it’s turned out a nice sunny day, Susie, if nothing else?”

Susie nodded. Kelly threw Susie the keys to their Holden ‘Commodore’ police car...

“We might even convince ‘The Black Widow’ that we both know what we’re doing huh...?”

Of all the Policewomen at Sunbury, Susie and Kelly were now the closest – they now shared the neighbouring townhouse to that of Cassandra and Joanna. Much to his chagrin, Senior Sergeant ‘Wild Bill’ O’Donoghue had been unable to prevent ‘Probationary’ Constable Kelly O’Rourke and ‘Trainee’ Constable Susie Raynor from moving into ‘The Mayfair’ Apartments together.