Hi
Well, it's been a long time coming but here's the latest chapter of Three Months Sober!
Thanks to all of you who have messaged me about this story. It means a lot to me that there's still interest out there for it.
So thanks for sticking with the story. I hope you enjoy the latest chapter.
Any reviews and comments are always most welcome.
Thank you
Paper_heart
Chapter 10
"So let me get this straight; some nut job is going around bashing up women who frequent this very club?" Becca piped up from the back of the room, concern failing to mask the anger in her voice.
Joey rolled her eyes at Becca; her friend always had a way of putting things so eloquently, before turning her attention back towards a very serious looking Senior Constable.
"Well, I wouldn't put it quite like that but yes, we have every reason to believe that the perpetrator of these crimes is specifically targeting female patrons of this establishment. Which is why we felt it necessary to bring the situation to your attention. And, more importantly, why we are asking you all to be extra careful until the person or persons responsible for these attacks is caught."
"Well, that's just great. And what are we supposed to do in the meantime, until you catch the guy?" chipped in an equally anxious Jen.
"Nothing, apart from apply a bit of common sense. Basically, we need you to go about your business as normal. But we do ask that you remain vigilant at all times, and report anything suspicious immediately, either to myself, one of my officers or Miss. Stone here," Charlie said, smiling as she indicated towards the club's assistant manager standing to her right.
'"And that's it?" Now it was Joey's turn to say her piece. She locked eyes with Charlie, silently challenging the police officer. "That's all we get? Be vigilant!"
Slightly taken back by the younger woman's sudden hostility, standing her ground, a somewhat annoyed Charlie Buckton folded her arms and fixed the woman she had got to know rather intimately with her piercing blue eyes.
Play it cool, Charlie. Play it cool.
"And what exactly would you like me to do Miss… Miss?"
"Collins. Joey Collins."
"Look Miss. Collins, I appreciate your concern. But I can assure you that my officers and I are taking this matter very seriously. Hence why we called this meeting. Your safety is of paramount importance."
"Which means what, exactly?" cut in Joey, abruptly.
Charlie glared at Joey. While next to her, Watson attempted to suppress a sly smile as she watched the younger woman verbally challenge her boss. Charlie Buckton wasn't used to being challenged - by anyone. Watson could hear the surprise – not to mention the rising annoyance - in her voice as she spoke.
"Which means, Miss. Collins, that we shall be implementing certain procedures as part of our ongoing investigation. And that's all I'm permitted to say at this stage, " Charlie said, holding her hand up in an attempt to put an end to their verbal sparing. She wasn't in the mood to have her authority questioned, much less used to it.
Charlie turned her attention back to the entire group. "Look, guys, I know this is frightening, for all of you. I'm not trying to alarm you unduly. However, this is a very serious matter and after careful consideration, we felt it was in your best interest to make you all aware of the situation. Obviously, I can't stress enough the need to keep this under wraps. Which means keeping this information to a minimum."
Charlie continued: "But again, let me stress, there really is no need for panic. All we're asking you to do is implement certain procedures, for your own safety. For example, walk in pairs at all times, if possible, but especially at night. Ultimately, just be on your guard and as I said before, if you do notice anything suspicious – however trivial it may seem at the time – report it."
As the group started to become more restless by the second – and before anyone else had the chance to reply - Angie stepped forward to address the room. "People… people… I'd just like to take a moment to reiterate what Senior Constable Buckton has said; there really is no need for anyone to panic. The police have everything under control. So we just need to let these nice officers go about their business – while we go about ours. So on that note, I suggest you all get back to doing what it is you need to be doing. Thank you."
"In other words, keep it zipped and let's not do anything that could jeopardize the club making lots and lots of money, right Jo?" Becca muttered distastefully under her breath.
Joey just smiled in silent agreement, and watched as the group slowly began to disperse. As she watched, Joey's eyes suddenly caught those belonging to the woman who, only a few days ago, had been sprawled naked underneath her – in that very same room. Senior Constable Charlie Buckton.
God she's incredible. And hot. And she's a cop. Crikey, could there be any bigger turn on?
"I still can't get over the fact that she's a cop," Bec whispered under her breath, mirroring Joey's thoughts. "I mean, that is so hot!"
"Knock it off Bec," Joey glared at her friend as she hurried towards the door – and freedom from the sexy police officer's mesmerizing gaze.
"Trust you Collins, to get it on with a cop. You really have out done yourself this time," grinned Becca, ignoring her friend's quite obvious discomfort.
"Yeah, I really know how to pick 'em, don't I," countered Joey, sarcastically.
"Oh come on Jo, lighten up! What's the big deal? You're an adult… she's an adult… no harm done."
Nearing the exit, Joey was just about to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Excuse me, Miss. Collins. May I have a moment of your time, please?"
Joey sighed, closing her eyes. She felt like a criminal about to be placed under arrest. She scowled at Becca who immaturely stuck out her tongue as she exited the room.
"What was all that about?" Charlie pulled Joey aside, her voice noticeably low so as to obviously avoid attracting the unwanted attention of her two colleagues. Although Charlie was all too well aware of a certain Constable's eyes boring into her back.
"Come again?" Joey tried but failed to project her innocence.
"Forgive me, but you seemed sort of… well… hostile."
"Oh, I'm sorry Senior Constable. I guess learning that there's some unhinged nut case out there targeting the place that I work at isn't going to put me in the best of moods. Not to mention the fact that the woman I had hot, passionate, steamy sex with – in this very room – suddenly rocks up out of the blue - and turns out to be a cop! Why didn't you tell me?!"
"You didn't ask," Charlie stated, somewhat bluntly.
"So, was shagging me part of your investigation?" Joey barked, equally as bluntly. Folding her arms across her chest, she glared at the police officer, challenging for her response.
Charlie was dumbfounded: "Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"I don't think I'm going to dignify that with a response," snapped Charlie.
"Is that a yes then?" Joey snapped back.
"Don't be ridiculous! Of course it wasn't. I…"
"So, you didn't figure you'd get it on with me so you could possibly extract some inside information for your little investigation?"
"Believe me, extracting information was the last thing on my mind."
"So what were you thinking?"
"Not a great deal at the time. My hormones were doing most of the talking. As, I remember, were yours. But on reflection, I should have perhaps exercised more caution."
Now it was Joey's turn to be dumbfounded: "Exercised more caution? What the hell does that mean?
"Look Joey, I think you're misunderstanding me. I…"
"So, I take it what happened between us was a mistake then; is that what you're saying?"
"It shouldn't have happened, given the circumstances. But…"
"I'll take that as a yes then." Joey stated before abruptly turning on her heels, leaving a stunned Senior Constable behind.
"I hope my employee wasn't giving you a hard time?" Charlie turned around to find a smiling Angie Stone standing behind her.
"No, not at all."
"Good. Right, well please let me know if there's anything else you need. Feel free to have a wander around the club – or interrogate any of the staff," she said, smiling as she emphasized the latter part of her sentence.
"Thank you. But I don't think there's any need to do any interrogating. Just yet," Charlie replied with a smile.
"Shame. Something tells me you'd be rather good at it," the blonde assistant manager said with a flirty smile. "I'll leave you to it then, Senior Constable."
Charlie watched her go. If she didn't know any better, she was certain the woman had been flirting with her. Her thoughts then suddenly turned back to a certain brunette.
Was shagging me part of your investigation?
With Joey's words ringing in her head, Charlie failed to notice Constable Watson's presence.
"Senior? Charlie?"
"Sorry, what?"
"I asked if you were okay?"
"She hates me."
"Who hates you?"
"Joey. She hates me."
Watson was somewhat taken back by the senior officer's sudden openness: "She doesn't hate you, Charlie. She's just a bit shocked to see you. And probably a bit embarrassed. But I doubt very much she hates you."
"Yeah, well I wouldn't blame her if she did. I wasn't exactly doing much thinking last night. I behaved very unprofessionally Georgie."
"Stop beating yourself up about it. You're both adults. I'm sure she'll come round. I mean, you're pretty irresistible. Just pout a bit, show a bit of cleavage and twinkle those baby blue eyes and she'll be putty in your hands in no time…. Well, it works for Angelo. Speak of the devil…"
Angelo came bounding over, like an excited golden retriever. He had a huge grin spread across his handsome face. As the officer put his arms across the shoulders of his two colleagues, Charlie and Georgie exchanged knowing glances. He looked like the cat that most definitely had got the cream.
"I think I'm going to like this assignment after all. That blonde chick, Angie-something-or-other is really hot. I wonder if she's got a boyfriend."
Charlie smiled. Watson rolled her eyes. The poor chap seemed to have a nasty habit of falling for unobtainable women… unobtainable gay women.