Chapter 17

Located a short distance from the Avondale Heights Police Station on Military Road, the ‘Paragon’ Cafe was a favourite ‘watering hole’ for many of the local policewomen from both the ‘Uniform Branch’ and the ‘Women Police’ Division.

Owned by a former policewoman, it was also the favoured haunt for many of the local lesbians too.

Declared unofficially ‘Off Limits’ by Inspector Jennifer Cartwright, for ‘The Paragon’ Café was also frequented by Prostitutes, it had been the rumours that the proprietor had put a bed in the back room that had given the ‘Divisional Inspector’ a cause for concern – not that she ever bothered to check it out for herself. She knew that female police officers needed somewhere private to enjoy themselves.

Nonetheless, ‘The Paragon’ continued to be the place for the local policewomen to enjoy a quiet coffee and a chat whilst on duty.

And, it was also somewhere ‘private’ for some of the policewomen to meet up with their girlfriends on the odd occasion.

Desiree had arranged to meet her girlfriend. But, she’d not told Sonya or Rosie.

‘Charlotte the Harlot’ D’Urberville and Sabrina Morgan had worked the morning at ‘The Wild Cherries’ Massage Parlour and would be waiting for the ‘Women Police’ at ‘The Paragon’ Café. That was nothing too unusual.

Not even Inspector Jennifer Cartwright took her directive too seriously. And, both the ‘Women Police’ and those policewomen working ‘General Duties’ simply ignored it.

Despite its’ rather dubious reputation, the Avondale Heights ‘Uniform Branch’ tended to turn a blind eye to what went on at ‘The Paragon’ – few of the male police officers even knew of it, for neither Constable Rhonda Hamilton, ‘Probationary’ Constable Diana Lawson now even, Trainee’ Constable Michelle Stewart ever spoke of the café...

It was almost two o’clock in the afternoon when the ‘Women Police’ Division’s unmarked Holden ‘Gemini’ coupe slowed to a gentle halt in the laneway beside the ‘Paragon’ Cafe...

“Should we have telephoned Bernadette first...?” enquired Sonya.

It had been Sergeant Bernadette Woodville and Senior Constable Rosie Sullivan who’d first introduced her to Alison Anderson and the ‘Paragon’ the day she’d arrived at the ‘Women Police’ Division on transfer.

“I owe her a coffee...?”

Desiree shook her head.

“She’s got a meeting with Jennifer Cartwright this afternoon...” she told Sonya.

That was why she’d hinted that Desiree, Rosie and Sonya take their time returning to the Avondale Heights Police Station after their morning in court.

“What about Lucille and Anna?” queried Sonya as she opened her car door.

Desiree shrugged.

Sonya got out of the car and Desiree followed.

Rhonda followed a moment later.

Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, there was nobody around to take any particular notice of the policewomen...

“Well, I owe you a coffee anyway...?” Sonya reminded Desiree,

“And, I probably owe you something too, Rosie?” she added.

Sonya understood what Desiree had said only too well.

Inspector Jennifer Cartwright had caused a number of problems for the Avondale Heights ‘Women Police’ Division since her promotion.

She’d once been the ‘Officer in Charge’ and seemed loathe to relinquish control to Sergeant Bernadette Woodville.

“You do...” agreed the former ‘Miss Victoria Police’...

“But, not a coffee I think, Constable L’Estrange...?” Rosie cautioned - she had something rather than coffee in mind for Sonya.

Sonya opened the front door.

Waiting for Desiree and Rosie, she peered inside as she held the door open for them.

She smiled, recognising a familiar face.

‘Charlotte the Harlot’ D’Urberville was sitting in the far corner...

“D-Desiree...?” Sonya whispered, indicating the older policewoman’s girlfriend – Desiree nodded.

“Funny about that, Sonya...?”

“So that’s why you were in such a hurry for a coffee huh...?”

“Charlotte...” Sonya observed - Desiree hesitated as the younger policewoman turned and took a gentle hold of her arm,

“Charlotte’s here, Desiree – you want the bed out back?” Sonya asked, ushering Desiree inside.

Along with Sabrina Morgan, ‘Charlotte the Harlot’ was sitting with ‘Headjob Hanna’ Monaghan and the proprietor of the ‘Paragon’ Café, the ‘disgraced’ former Senior Constable Alison Thornton...

“It’s the least I can do for you, Senior Constable Blake?”

“Well, it’s about time...?” teased Charlotte.

Senior Constable Desiree Blake had been her girlfriend for almost six months.

The two older policewomen entered the ‘Paragon’ Cafe.

Sonya lingered for a moment in the doorway – she glanced back down the lane towards Military Road, checking that nobody had seen them,

“Charlotte...” greeted Desiree.

“I’ve missed you, sweetie...?” the prostitute responded.

“Charlotte...” acknowledged Rosie, pausing as Sonya closed the front door again.

“I wasn’t sure if you were coming, Desiree...?” sighed Charlotte.

‘Tha Paragon’ if anything, was comfortable and intimate...

“We had to wait for Sonya, you see - Constable L’Estrange had a conference with a certain Solicitor, if you jnow what I mean?

“I should’ve fuckin’ known...?” Charlotte replied with a smile.

“But, you’re here now and that’s all that counts, Desiree...?”

Sitting with the three prostitutes, Alison turned and smiled.

She had been serving the local policewomen for almost eighteen months...

“Hanna...” greeted Desiree as she walked slowly over to where her girlfriend sat.