Chapter 10

Sonya looked up.

It had been another fairly quiet night – rostered again as Watchousekeeper, ‘Trainee’ Constable Sonya L’Estrange had tried to concentrate on her outstanding paperwork.

But she was finding it hard.

Seated at the desk in the small Watchousekeeper’s Office, all she could think of was Hanna.

Much to her surprise, Sergeant Chris Matthews had relented – had let Constable Rhonda Hamilton leave to do a run around ‘V’ District collecting internal mail. Half-asleep in the nearby Sergeants’ Office, had had not wanted to do it himself. The ‘trainee’ didn’t begrudge Rhonda a chance to get away from ‘The Heights’ for it was no secret that Senior Sergeant ‘Killer’ Caldwell was keeping her restricted to working the Watchhouse.

Sonya’s pale blue uniform shirt was seductively unbuttoned.

Brand new, the short-sleeved policewoman’s shirt almost glistened in the fluorescent light.

And, she’d once again carefully rolled the sleeves even shorter as was now her fashion trademark.

Sonya had come into work early yet again – she had discreetly checked the ‘disgraced’ former Senior Constable ‘Headjob Hanna’ Monaghan’s record on the Victoria Police database and had a printout in her issue handbag Nevertheless, it had been a little busier than previous nights.

There had been several telephone calls to ‘The Heights’ and a couple of people come through the front door to make a Complaint.

Not that she really minded. If anything, it had been a necessary distraction.

Headlights flashed up against the side of the building.

Sonya turned in her chair – toying with the collar of her uniform shirt, she watched the ‘divisional van’ pull into the back of the Avondale Heights Police Station.

There had been a ‘Raid’ in Airport West, and the St. Albans ‘Criminal Investigation Branch’ had arrested several people over stolen cars - both the Ascot Vale ‘Crime Car Squad’ and Avondale Heights ‘Uniform Branch’ had also been involved and a substantial quantity of cocaine had been found in the house too. It had been the sort of thing that both her and Rhonda would’ve given anything to be a part of, and she couldn’t help but envy Diana.

Once again, ‘Trainee’ Constable Diana Lawson was working with Senior Constable ‘Johnno’ Johnstone – Sonya would’ve been prepared to do anything to be involved, even if it meant working with the arrogant policeman, but had not had the chance...

“Is that the van...?” asked Sergeant ‘Kev’ Wainwright.

The ‘trainee’ policewoman turned and nodded to the older policeman now standing at the front reception counter.

He had been working back after the Afternoon Shift, covering for Sergeant Barry McKnight who had attended the ‘Raid’ too,

“Well, it’s about time...?”

“Duty Officer warned me that they might need another policewoman too...?” he added.

Inspector Jennifer Cartwright had called fifteen minutes earlier to let Sergeant ‘Kev’ Wainwright know the ‘divvy van’ was on the way back - she’d also mentioned that would require a female police officer for a ‘search’ too.

Senior Constable ‘Johnno’ Johnston now had ‘Trainee’ Constable ‘Mick’ Maloney with him.

Diana was with Jennifer still.

‘Johnno’ and ‘Mick’ were bringing back a ‘female’ from the ‘raid’ for questioning.

“Is there anybody still upstairs at all, Bluey...?” asked the stern-faced policeman.

‘Trainee’ Constable Sonya L’Estrange stood up.

Only a few minutes earlier, she’d taken a telephone call for the ‘Women Police’ Division.

“Bernadette...” she answered.

Sergeant Bernadette Woodville was the ‘Officer in Charge’ of the ‘Women Police’ Division.

“Sergeant Woodville’s upstairs with Rosie Sullivan, Sergeant Wainwright...” Sonya added.

Sergeant ‘Kev’ Wainwright nodded.

Whilst, all three of the female police officers stationed at the Avondale Heights ‘Uniform Branch’ were working, ‘Trainee’ Constable Diana Lawson and Constable Rhonda Hamilton were not there, leaving ‘Trainee’ Constable Sonya L’Estrange.

Diana and the ‘Duty Officer’ were still at the illegal ‘squat’ in Airport West.

“Probably best we not bother the ‘Slut Squad’ now...?” the policeman conceded.

“Maloney can handle the Watchouse if need be, I guess, Bluey?” he suggested finally,

“You do whatever ‘Johnno’ wants – you should be good at that now, Constable L’Estrange?”

Sonya nodded. She’d become accustomed to the occasional verbal barb about her promiscuity.

As far as she knew, Constable ‘Butch’ Hamilton was another hour away.

And, she had no idea how long Diana would be...?

Senior Constable Rosie Sullivan and Sergeant Bernadette Woodville were finishing paperwork upstairs and had just been called to attend another call in Keilor East.

That had been the telephone call Sonya had just taken only a few minutes before. Sonya hesitated a moment longer.

She watched in silence as ‘Kev’ Wainwright disappeared towards the ‘Sergeants Office’ – ‘Trainee’ Constable Sonya L’Estrange was once again on her own in the Watchousekeeper’s Office, if only for a couple of minutes. She breathed a sigh of relief.

The police radio stuttered yet again.

Sergeant ‘Kev’ Wainwright was another moody middle-aged chauvinist and cared little for female police officers, let alone the likes of ‘Trainee’ Constable Sonya L’Estrange. Few of the ‘Sub Officers’ at ‘The Heights’ ever treated her with courtesy or respect, for she was just the station ‘Bike’...

“Well, let’s see what we have here?”

Kev had paperwork to do. He would not bother Sonya again for a while.

And, he was only too well aware that most of the ‘questioning’ was to take place at the ‘Crime Car Squad’ Office.

The female ‘suspect’ that ‘Johnno’ Johnston and ‘Mick’ Maloney had in their custody was nobody too important, or so the ‘Duty Officer’ had assured him.

Sonya L’Estrange walked to the back door.

She had just learnt that she was transferring to the ‘Women Police’ Division upstairs that evening. So she was ridinf a rollercoaster of emotions tonight.

Her application had been successful and she’d been gazetted to the ‘Slut Squad’ – Sonya knew, however, that she needed to finish her outstanding paperwork beforehand.

But with everything that was happening, she found it difficult to do.

She’d already taken the precaution of warning Sabrina and Sandra that she might be home late.

The ‘trainee’ had moved in with the prostitute and the ‘Pimp’ in their townhouse off Dinah Parade and they’d promised to wait up for her.

That had been Sergeant Bernadette Woodville’s doing after learning that ‘Trainee’ Constable Sonya L’Estrange was about to be evicted.

She had been warned to say nothing to anybody about where she now lived too. So it was no wonder she was having trouble concentrating on anything.

It had been a difficult three months for her.

But now, she felt a little more settled and far more self-assured than she ever had since arriving at ‘The Heights’ – she still couldn’t quite rid her mind of ‘Headjob Hanna’ though, as she opened the door.

The police radio crackled.

Senior Constable ‘Johnno’ Johnstone was radioing that they were back at ‘The Heights’...

“Everything okay?” she asked.

‘Trainee’ Constable ‘Mick’ Maloney had opened the back of the van.

“No worries...” the young policeman answered. He looked flustered.

Another two more ‘trainee’ police officers had arrived at the Avondale Heights ‘Uniform Branch’ from the ‘Police Training Academy’ at Glen Waverley.

‘Mick’ Maloney and a ‘Trainee’ Constable Michelle Stewart - another policewoman for ‘The Heights’ and ‘Johnno’...

“Inspector Cartwright called earlier, so we’ve been expecting you...” Sonya explained, remaining in the open doorway.

The young policeman nodded with a nervous smile.

“Well, if it ain’t ‘Deep Throat’ again?” sneered Senior Constable ‘Johnno’ Johnston with obvious contempt...

“So, what happened to ‘The Dyke’ huh...?” he asked.

“Otherwise occupied...” Sonya replied – there was no need to tell ‘Johnno’ too much.

“What the ‘fuck’ do you want, Constable ‘Slut’...?” the policeman queried.

Sonya hesitated.

She’d not seen ‘Johnno’ in the darkness at first.

‘Trainee’ Constable ‘Mick’ Maloney bit his lip.

He knew that the attractive ‘trainee’ policewoman had earned the nickname ‘Deep Throat’ after she’d been caught giving Sergeant Chris Matthews a ‘blow job’ in the Muster Room a week before. And, he’d been warned to keep away from her.

Senior Sergeant Barry McKnight had branded her promiscuous and referred to her as a ‘slut’...

“I think, she’s needed with Davina...?” the younger policeman reminded ‘Johnno’ with a sigh.

“Quite right, youngster – I’d almost forgotten about that, Constable Maloney?” muttered the older policeman.

“Well, we’re going to need your expert help, after all, Constable L’Estrange, aren’t we now...?”

There was a look of utter disdain on Senior Constable ‘Johnno’ Johnstone’s face.

Sonya said nothing. She didn’t need to.

She’d now learnt to ignore ‘Johnno’ in the last two days or so – that too had been due to Bernadette and Rhonda.

Looking embarrassed, ‘Mick’ guided the handcuffed woman towards the doorway.

‘Johnno’ followed behind.

“This is Davina...” the young policeman explained. Sonya nodded...

“Davina Louise Murdoch that is, Sonya...” he continued.

The woman smiled at the ‘trainee’ policewoman - with her six-inch stiletto heels, the dark-skinned ‘suspect’ was even taller than Sonya.

She even towered over the two policemen but appeared co-operative and no threat nonetheless,

“This is Constable Sonya L’Estrange...” added the young policeman self-consciously.

“Sonya...” corrected the policewoman.

‘Johnno’ pushed passed ‘Mick’ and stood beside Davina in the doorway...

“Sonya...” Davina acknowledged.

“You can call her ‘Deep Throat’...” added ‘Johnno’ with a contemptuous hiss.

“Deep Throat...?” queried Davina.

The ‘trainee’ policewoman opened her mouth to protest but then thought better of it. It would do no good.

And if anything, would just encourage ‘Johnno’ even more.

Slowly licking at her pouting lips, the woman took a moment to look Sonya up and down.

“You have a lot in common, Davina...?” suggested ‘Johnno’...

“You’re both sluts...” he then explained.

“Miss Davina here is another of the local ‘crows’ you see, Constable L’Estrange?”

Davina glanced at ‘Johnno’...

“We need her searched before we start the interview, Sonya?” whispered ‘Mick’ with a look of utter embarrassment - Sonya nodded yet again.

She took a gentle hold of Davina’s arm and ushered her inside,

“You better come with me...?” the ‘trainee’ policewoman whispered in her ear.

“Don’t give him an excuse, Miss Davina?” she counselled...

“Don’t give him the fuckin’ please, if you know what I mean?”

‘Johnno’ hesitated. There had been little or no reaction from Sonya.

And he’s not heard what the ‘trainee’ had said to Davina either...?

The younger policeman hesitated too.

‘Mick’ was unsure what he had to do too...?

Pausing, Sonya glanced back at the two policemen,

“Sergeant Wainwrights says you’re to mind the Watchouse for now, Michael...?”

The young male ‘trainee’ nodded. That he could do without too much trouble,

“And you,” Sonya added, “You can just go and ‘fuck’ yourself, Senior Constable Johnstone?”

That took ‘Johnno’ by complete surprise – he mustered all the indignation he could,

“How dare you...” he growled,

“You’re just a ‘trainee’...?”

But, Sonya had disappeared with ‘Davina’ inside, leaving him talking to the door...

“I’ve done nothin’ wrong, Sonya...?” protested Davina. The older policeman laughed.

He’d heard what Davina had said,

“There’s not much I can do about it, Davina, so let’s just get this over and done with quickly?”

“I’ll search her in the ‘muster room’...” Sonya told the young male ‘trainee’ – at least for a few minutes or so, both she and Davina would be free of Senior Constable ‘Johnno’ Johnston’s verbal taunts.

Sonya took Davina to the large Muster Room.

She knew a little of what had happened at Airport West for Inspector Jennifer Cartwright had telephoned earlier and spoken briefly to both her and then Sergeant ‘Kev’ Wainwright. But, she had no real idea just who ‘Davina’ was...?

The ‘trainee’ policewoman assumed that ‘Mick’ would attend to the formalities.

There would have to be an entry made in the Interview Register and ‘Missing Persons’ advised.

Davina Louise Murdoch had been arrested during the ‘Raid’ by both the St. Albans ‘Criminal Investigation Branch’ and Ascot Vale ‘Crime Car Squad’ - several stolen motor cars had been recovered and a quantity of cocaine found.