Chapter 1

The Midsumma...

’Mardi Gras’ Policewomen

Kelly hesitated.

Standing at the kerb, she glanced back along The Esplanade and smiled to herself.

Along with Senior Constable Maggie Doyle and ‘Acting’ Sergeant Lindy Schroeder, the twenty-two year old blonde had been rostered to work the annual ‘Midsumma Festival’ in St. Kilda. It was still quite early though. A little after seven o’clock in the morning – Kelly Maree O’Rourke stood on her own by the Catani Gardens, enjoying the early sun. The forecast was for thirty degrees Celsius. But, the young policewoman doubted it would be too uncomfortable for there was a cool breeze blowing in off Port Phillip Bay as she waited. Alone with her thoughts however, ‘Probationary’ Constable Kelly O’Rourke was content to just enjoy the moment.

Fitzroy Street was closed off. So was Acland Street.

From where she stood, Kelly could see another three policewomen on the far side of The Esplanade. She didn’t know who they were, but that didn’t matter, Maggie and Lindy were down by the sea wall.

And another of her colleagues, ‘Probationary’ Constable Susie Raynor, was wandering through the Catani Gardens – Sergeant Tess Gallagher and ‘Trainee’ Constable Deirdre ‘Dash’ McKinley too, were somewhere further along The Esplanade.