Chapter 13

It had been a long morning at the Moonee Ponds Magistrates Court.

The steady procession of police officers, solicitors, and defendants had seemed almost never-ending.

But, it was a little after noon now, so the suburban Courthouse was almost deserted.

Rostered to work with both Senior Constable Desiree Blake and Senior Constable Rosie Sullivan, ‘Probationary’ Constable Sonya L’Estrange had finished her matters in the second division much earlier than expected.

Her two older colleagues hadn’t been so lucky.

Seated in a small Interview Room off the foyer, the twenty-two-year-old was half-asleep.

It had been her third day at the ‘Women Police’ – the former ‘General Duties’ policewoman now working for Sergeant Bernadette Woodville and not Senior Sergeant ‘Killer’ Caldwell, so she was far more relaxed than ever before.

Alone with her thoughts, Soonya was content to enjoy a moment to herself as she waited for Desiree and the former ‘Miss Victoria Police’ to finish giving evidence...

“Well now...?”

In the doorway stood Veronica Campbell – the Solicitor had just finished the last of her own cases for the day and had been about to head back to the ‘Western Suburbs Legal Services’ Office when she’d caught a glimpse of the young policewoman. Sonya had left the door ajar.

“Miss Veronica...?”

“Constable L’Estrange...” greeted the Anglo-Indian Solicitor...

“I thought that was you – all alone I see, Sonya?”

“So, I hear that you’ve escaped ‘Killer’ huh...?”

Veronica knew far more about Sonya than she was prepared to admit – she knew ‘Probationary’ Constable Sonya L’Estrange was sharing a bed with Davina Louise Murdoch and that she now lived with a prostitute, Sabrina Morgan, and the ‘Madam’ of ‘The Wild Cherries’ Massage Parlour as well,

“I’ve transferred to the ‘Women Police’ upstairs, Miss Veronica, if that’s what you mean?”

Veronica closed the door. There were fewer people waiting in the foyer now.

“So, you’re one of Bernadette’s harem now, are you...?” Veronica queried,

“Is that a problem, M-Miss Veronica?” responded the young policewoman...

“Not at all...” the Solicitor assured her – Veronica walked around behind Sonya, running her hand over the seated policewoman’s shoulders,

“Sergeant Woodville always did have good taste?”

“It’s none of my business who you’re ‘fucking’ – though I understand why Bernadette’s doing you...?”

Veronica paused. She wore a short corporate charcoal-grey skirt with a crisp white long-sleeved shirt.

Characteristically, the Solicitor looked the very epitome of style and elegance once again...

“You’re rather delicious yourself, aren’t you, Constable L’Estrange?”

For all intents and purposes, the small Interview Room was used more as an informal lounge for those policewomen attending the Magistrates Court from the ‘Women Police’ Division and ‘Uniform Branch’ at Avondale Heights and elsewhere, than for its intended purpose – female police officers like Sonya, still being something of a novelty, it had been nicknamed ‘The Pussycat Club’ by the Clerk of the Court.

Nevertheless, Sonya didn’t mind the interruption.

Savouring the alluring scent of the Solicitor’s perfume, the young policewoman smiled at Veronica...

“Jealous...?” she asked. Sonya had a liking for Givenchy Amirage.

As a policewoman, she couldn’t afford the expensive perfume though...

“You looking for ‘a piece of the action’ too...?”

Again, Sonya wore a brand new policewoman’s pale-blue uniform shirt – the crisp short-sleeved shirt worn in her usual trademark fashion; sleeves neatly rolled shorter and with the collar pressed flat.

Tucked beneath the collar, ‘Probationary’ Constable Sonya L’Estrange also wore an issue silver chain lanyard about her neck, to which was a glistening metal ‘Victoria Police’ badge...

“Not that you really have to feel that way, Miss Veronica?”

“N-No...?” the Solicitor queried. Sonya shook her head.

Pausing, the young policewoman glanced back at the door – the window had opaque glass so nobody in the foyer could see what was happening in the Interview Room. And not that she knew it, but the Solicitor had raised the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door before entering.

Veronica Campbell knew that they wouldn’t be disturbed too.

She enjoyed a certain notoriety at both the Moonee Ponds Magistrates Court and that at Sunshine and Footscray too.

Few ever challenged her about anything – particularly policewomen.

Her reputation was that of a ‘Bitch’ but Veronica Campbell could also enthral a bi-sexual woman with just a look of the eye, or captivate a lesbian with a brief smile. She was both feared and openly lusted after in equal measures.

She had that effect on both police officers and Legal Staff at the Moonee Ponds Magistrates Court and had long taken advantage of it...

“I’m just waiting for Desiree and Rosie, you see...?” Sonya explained.

Veronica nodded – resting her right hand on Sonya’s left shoulder, she sat on the desk beside her.

“Senior Constable Blake and Senior Constable Sullivan, that is, M-Miss Veronica...” added Sonya,

“And you’re quite right, Bernadette does have good taste, doesn’t she – just like ‘The Countess’ too?”

Raising an eyebrow, the Solicitor shifted closer to Sonya. She wasn’t that surprised that ‘Probationary’ Constable Sonya L’Estrange knew about her and ‘The Countess’ for the young police officer lived with the ‘Madam’ and one of her prostitutes, in nearby East Keilor...

“Constable Rhonda Hamilton was right about you...?” suggested Sonya – ever since her transfer to the ‘Women Police’ Division, she’d felt more self-confident in herself. And whilst she could attribute part of the change to Bernadette and the Avondale Heights ‘Women Police’ Division, some responsibility was due to the two ‘General Duties’ policewomen she’d been working with at ‘The Heights’ too, for they had offered their own encouragement to her,

“I mean, you’re rather fuckin’ gorgeous if you don’t mind me saying so, Miss Veronica...?”

Veronica caressed at the young policewoman’s cheek with her fingertips as she listened,

“For a Solicitor that is...?”

Sonya had done her homework.

And now that she was a part of Bernadette’s ‘Slut Squad’ at last, the fresh-faced young policewoman had learnt that ‘The Countess’ and her Solicitor, were often sharing a bed with the ‘Women Police’ now,

“Maybe you’d like to join us?” suggested Sonya – she sat back in her chair, allowing Veronica to slide her hand down beneath her unbuttoned policewoman’s uniform shirt as they talked...

“We’re going to ‘The Paragon’ for a coffee after we’re finished here...?” the policewoman explained,

“Sergeant Woodville’s orders if you should know – why not come with is, Miss Veronica?” Sonya suggested,

“I doubt, Desiree and Rosie would mind if that’s what you’re wondering...?” she added,

“Might be a chance to get to know each other a little better, don’t you think...?”

Veronica remained silent – Sonya’s tight short-sleeved uniform shirt was seductively unbuttoned.

And, her shirt collar upturned in a ‘Fashion Model’ style as she sat alone in the Interview Room...