Chapter 4

’Probationary’ Constable Kelly O’Rourke uttered a sigh. It now seemed that she was standing in the middle of nowhere as she savoured the reassuring warmth of the morning sun. She wore no bra.

Nor had she bothered with panties, for that was de rigeur for the ‘Slut Squad’ as the policewomen detailed to work ‘The Midsumma’ Festival were often referred to. Kelly Maree O’Rourke could feel the cool breeze blowing in off Port Phillip Bay – it felt as she were now miles from anywhere, and certainly no longer standing by The Esplanade in St. Kilda.

Kelly was a part of the clique recruited by ‘The Black Widow’ for ‘The Midsumma’ this year – she was another of the bi-sexual and lesbian ‘Pigs’ who were tasked with policing ‘The Midsumma’ Festival...

Senior Constable Maggie Doyle appeared from the growing crowd – satisfied that Kelly was where she should be, the twenty-five year walked over to where Susie stood. Margaret Ann Doyle offered the two Qantas stewardesses a friendly nod as she took Susie by the hand. She had left ‘Acting’ Sergeant Lindy Schroeder in the Catani Gardens to check on Kelly. But, it was Susie she now focussed on...

‘Probationary’ Constable Susie Raynor still appeared dazed after her impromptu kiss with Savannah Richardson and Cheyenne McNamara – two Nurses were kissing nearby. And, as she joined Susie at the kerb, Maggie caught sight of Senior Sergeant Monica O’Rourke kissing yet another woman on the far side of the road...

“I thought you should know,” Maggie whispered to Susie, “There’s somebody looking for you too?”

Susie hesitated – she seemed surprised to see Maggie,

“You better not let Lindy or Tess see you with her though, Susie?”

Opening her mouth to respond, words however failed Susie – she stared across at Monica as ‘The Black Widow’ continued to kiss another businesswoman on the opposite side of The Esplanade...

“Rebecca’s down by the foreshore...” Maggie explained in a whisper – Rebecca ‘Becky’ Campbell was another of the local prostitutes from St. Kilda and she’d once been Susie’s girlfriend,

“R-Rebecca...?” queried Susie – Maggie nodded.

She began to caress Susie’s arm with her fingertips,

“But, what about Kelly?” Susie wondered – she’d been told to stay with the young blonde,

“Appears, Kelly’s enjoying herself, doesn’t it...?” observed Maggie, glancing at the twenty-two year old,

“I would’ve thought,” then Maggie suggested, “You’d want some of that too, Constable Raynor?”

Savannah Richardson and Cheyenne McNamara stared back at the two older blonde policewomen, aware that they were being spoken about, even if they couldn’t hear what Maggie was saying,

“They’re not playing my music...?” added Maggie, toying with the sleeve of Susie’s uniform shirt,

“So, why don’t you get reacquainted with Rebecca and I’ll look after Kelly O’Rourke for a while, Susie?”

Susie hadn’t heard the music – nor had Kelly, Samantha or Cheyenne.

It was Shania Twain’s song, ‘Feel Like A Woman’ – Susie hesitated again.

Senior Constable Sonya Galloway of the Victoria Police ‘Code One’ Showband was singing with both Kylie Minogue and her sister, ‘Danni’ Minogue, at the far end of the Catani Gardens

Kylie Anne Minogue OBE was almost an Institution at ‘The Midsumma’ Festival, as was Danielle Jane “Dannii” Minogue too – the two Nurses standing nearby were also singing along as Maggie spoke with Susie,

“It’s all happening down on the beach, you know?”

Susie nodded – she now understood what Maggie was saying.

“Well, who would’ve thought...?”

Resting her chin on Susie’s shoulder, Maggie watched Kelly and the ‘Stripper’ kiss,

“Constable Kelly O’Rourke and Savannah Richardson – she does have all the fuckin’ luck?”

Susie nodded. She didn’t say anything for there was nothing more she could say.

She turned, kissing Maggie’s cheek. It was a gesture of thanks.

Their short-sleeved uniform shirt knotted ‘halter style’ about their waists, they were not really there as police officers per se. That was understood. Chief Commissioner Veronica Marshall had insisted that all the policewomen at ‘The Midsumma’ be in uniform. But, ‘The Black Widow’ had nevertheless, set the standard. They were all required to wear skirts. She allowed the policewomen certain liberties. Knotted shirts. And, their uniform skirts unofficially shortened to a far more fashionable length.