Chapter 6

Veronica sat on the desk by the door.

She seemed intrigued by the large poster of Senior Constable Rosie Sullivan as the previous year’s ‘Miss Victoria Police’ – the Solicitor had been tempted to check out Constable Anna D’Constanzo’s paperwork but didn’t.

That would’ve been a betrayal of the ‘Slut Squad’ and she dare not, despite the temptation to do so.

The scented candles continued to ‘flicker’ along the window sill.

A white short-sleeved policewoman’s uniform shirt was draped over a chair in the corner.

And, several of the newer pale-blue policewomen’s short-sleeved uniform shirts hung from hooks by the door to the Female Changerooms - various noticeboards displayed an array of ‘Wanted’ Posters and other notices.

Three filing cabinets and another desk added to the cluttered look.

Yet it was clean - the fragrance from the candles mixing with a suggestion of perfume and the scent of roses.

By the large window that looked out over Avondale Heights, a number of Polaroid photographs of the policewomen at a recent party added a little individual personality to the lair of the ‘Women Police’ Division.

Beside the Solicitor, a policewoman’s uniform hat rested on a pile of dossiers in the ‘In Tray’ on Anna’s desk.

Catching the early morning sun, the metal ‘Victoria Police’ cap badge glistened, catching the eye of ‘The Countess’ as she spoke...

“Samantha McKenzie...?”

“Samantha McKenzie works in the District Office next door...” explained Desiree.

But, it was not really Reservist Samantha McKenzie who concerned ‘The Countess’ as Desiree knew it,

“She runs most of ‘V’ District if that’s what you’re wondering?”

Reservists purely did administration even though they wore uniforms - they were not police officers per se.

“But, I had no idea that she was ‘sleeping’ with Diana, I have to confess?” Desiree admitted with a sigh,

“Sabrina’s ‘fucking’ them both now huh...?” she asked - ‘The Countess’ nodded.

“I didn’t even know she liked ‘pussy’ - Diana that is?” Desiree confessed.

She took pride on knowing what was going on, but now realised the ‘Uniform Branch’ had their own ‘secrets’ too.

“I think I can pretty well fuckin’ guarantee that she does, Desiree...” the ‘Pimp’ emphatically assured her.

‘Trainee’ Constable Diana Lawson wasn’t a worry either,

“B-But...?”

‘The Countess’ sat back comfortably – she had control of the ‘Women Police’ even if the policewomen had yet to realize it. She knew it. So did Veronica.

Lesbianism was still illegal - cunnilingus prescribed as ‘Gross Indecency’ by the old 1955 Crimes Act.

For the most part however, the Victoria Police had long tolerated lesbianism with the ‘Women Police’ but the new Liberal National Coalition Conservatives in the Legislative Assembly wanted a purge of lesbian and bi-sexual ‘Pigs’ or so ‘The Countess’ and her Solicitor now believed - that could prove problematic for ‘The Wild Cherries’...

“Senior Constable Blake...”

“I really don’t care what Sabrina’s doing with those two police ‘cunts’ this morning?” hissed ‘The Countess’...

“And, I appreciate everything the ‘Slut Squad’ has done too, don’t get me wrong, Desiree?”

“But, I’ve heard rumors that there might be trouble soon...?”

‘The Countess’ had several more ‘girlfriends’ within the Victoria Police.

Senior Constable Sandra Nicholson sat at Sergeant Bernadette Woodville’s desk between the doors into the small Interview Room and the much larger Female Changerooms...

“I think we have company, Desiree...?” she announced – there were footsteps on the stairs.

They had all heard the front door open a few moments earlier.

And just before that, Senior Constable ‘Johnno’ Johnstone and ‘Trainee’ Constable Sonya L’Estrange had returned in the ‘divvy van’ finally...

“High heels...?” observed Veronica.

Inspector Jennifer Cartwright. Constable Lucinda McIntyre and Senior Constable Rosie Sullivan were downstairs.

And so was Sergeant Bernadette Woodville now.

Not that Desiree, Veronica, or ‘The Countess’ knew,

“High heels...” agreed Desiree.

“So, it can’t be that ‘Pig’ working the Watchouse?” Veronica added.

None of the policewomen downstairs were wearing high heels.

Nobody but Inspector Jennifer Cartwright that was.

But, the ‘Divisional Inspector’ was far too interested in finishing her shift as ‘Duty Officer’ to concern herself with the ‘Women Police’ upstairs – Rhonda had kept her occupied too.

“I don’t know who it could be, Mistress Sandra?” replied Desiree.

Rostered with Senior Constable Rosie Sullivan and Constable Anna D’Constanzo, Senior Constable Desiree Blake had been content to spend the shift doing paperwork. It had been a busy few days.

And, Sergeant Bernadette Woodville also had paperwork to do too. They all had.

The ‘Women Police’ had not been expecting anybody...?

Nor had they been expecting ‘The Countess’ or her Solicitor though.

Desiree stood up.

Her crisp white uniform shirt still loose and unbuttoned, she looked across at the door.

“Maybe it’s Rosie...?” she whispered.

The former ‘Miss Victoria Police’ could not be far off.

“Anna maybe, Mistress Sandra?” Desiree suggested.

Bernadette was due soon too...

“Bernadette...?”

Senior Constable Sandra Nicholson prepared herself to continue the facade no matter what...

“We shall soon find out one way or another?” the ‘Pimp’ said.

The door to the ‘Women Police’ Office opened.

Downstairs, Rhonda had considered for a moment, telephoning upstairs to warn Desiree but had not had the chance – she had enough to do now. The police radio stuttered yet again.

And the rumble of the traffic along Milleara Road and Military Road added a soundtrack to all that was happening downstairs in the ‘Uniform Branch’ – she had not seen the attractive blonde on the stairs until it was too late...

“Hello...?”

Sergeant Bernadette Woodville, Constable Anna ‘D’Constanzo, and Senior Constable Rosie Sullivan had been caught by the ‘Duty Officer’ as they attempted to sneak undetected into the building.

And it was obvious that both Anna and the former ‘Miss Victoria Police’ had been up to mischief, for their respective new-style uniform shirts were a mess and they were also late for their shift...

“Well, what do we have here...?”

Long-sleeved blue shirt – a ‘Victoria Police’ badge hanging from a silver chain lanyard about her neck. Faded blue ‘Faberge’ jeans and expensive-looking stiletto boots.

A protégé of both Superintendent ‘The Bitch’ Masterson and Inspector Jennifer Cartwright, she had a certain cache within No. I Division of ‘V’ District that was the envy of many – she was far more than just a ‘Detective Sergeant’ at an outer suburban CIB...

“How nice...?”

Detective Sergeant Dominique Galloway paused in the doorway – she glanced back downstairs.

Inspector Jennifer Cartwright was speaking with the three ‘Slut Squad’ policewomen downstairs.

Rhonda was handing over to Senior Constable Nathan Markham.

‘Johnno’ had left – Sonya left to complete the last of the night’s reports as she hid from Jennifer.

It had all been amatter of precise timing for Dominique. She smiled to herself.

Unwilling to stand the scrutiny of their ‘Divisional Inspector’ any longer than they really needed to, both, Constable ‘Mick’ Patterson and Senior Constable Tony Carmichael had left in the ‘divvy van’ as well...