Detective Inspector Amanda Jennings parked the unmarked squad car in one of the reserved parking spots, turned off the engine and waited there for several moments before stepping out of the car. She reached back in and took her mobile telephone and attached it to her belt. On the opposite side of the car her partner did the same and then both approached the boutique they had been called out to.
'All your dreams are coming true,' she said with a smile when she noticed that it was devoted to lingerie and there were some revealing samples in the window display, though tastefully done.
Next to her Detective John Bannister laughed. He pointed at one. 'I rather think that one would look good on you.'
'Did you miss that lecture on sexual harassment?' she asked, reaching for the door handle and pushing the door open.
'I wouldn't class that as harassment,' he said in his defence. 'It was more complimentary than sexual.'
D.I Jennings stared at him for a moment. It all came back to her life of solitude outside the confines of the force. Simple minds generating their own theories as to why she lived alone and rarely mixed with them socially. She'd overheard some of the things
they had said about her. None of it mattered. She was more than content in her life and that was all that counted, not the fertile minds of others. Sighing as she entered the shop she noted his response to it. He had been one of those who had made several less than complimentary comments about her.
It was all a front, of course. He was merely playing with her and the comment had been made with all the sexual connotations in mind. They were not only partners in the Derbyshire Constabulary but they were also lovers and had been for several months, their relationship being kept low key. Bannister adored lingerie and was going to be like a child in a sweet shop in here, even in a routine official capacity.
The moment they entered an elegantly dressed, middle-aged woman came to greet them. Her clothes were expensive and the outfit designed to enhance her flailing beauty, as was her recently coiffured hair. She had overdone it with her perfume and it assaulted their senses in such close proximity. And it wasn't a particularly nice fragrance. It reminded her of something her deceased grandmother would wear.
'Finally,' she said with more than a touch of self-importance. 'You're here. She's in my office.'
'A shoplifter?' inquired Bannister.
'Of course,' she said to him. 'Why else would I call the police?'
D.I Jennings suppressed a smile. 'Could you show us to your office?' As they were led through the shop she glanced around her at the displays of lingerie, rack upon rack of delicate underwear. Several mannequins took up prominent areas and gave a more visual display of how a woman might look wearing some of the designs. They were led through a curtain where a number of cubicles were set directly behind, two of which were occupied. The hidden shoppers conversed amongst themselves, unaware of who was passing by. One of the curtains was slightly askew and she caught a glimpse of one semi-naked woman attaching stockings to her suspender belt. Her breasts were full and filled the patterned brassiere she had on. It was a sensual choice, designed to arise the senses of her lover. That was the reason she bought lingerie. It was for the sake of sensuality. Some of what she had was not exactly comfortable to wear but that was not her main compulsion in purchasing it. And she suspected it was the same for the majority of women.
'What's your name?' asked Bannister.
The woman stopped just before they reached a door. 'That's a rather rude way to ask. I am Doreen Locksley. This is my shop.'
'My colleague meant no disrespect,' she said. Even though barely a word had really been spoken she suspected the shop owner of being irritating, one of those women who would file a complaint at the slightest sense of being treated with less respect than she felt she deserved. Something that was nigh impossible to prevent. She made the rest of the introductions before the door bearing her name was opened.
Doreen Locksley nodded in acknowledgement before pushing open the door to her office and showed them inside.
There were two women seated in the office. One stood up immediately and she correctly identified her as a shop assistant. Doreen dismissed her, crossed her arms across her chest and nodded in the direction of the woman who remained seated and had not turned to see who had entered.
'That's her,' she said needlessly.
Amanda walked over to the desk, turned and leant on it as she faced the accused shoplifter. This was really a job for uniformed officers but the station was thin on the ground for several days due to illness, which was why they were here. Seated on the chair was an attractive Asian woman, Chinese she guessed. She had a wonderfully enigmatic face surrounded by voluminous black hair that shimmered with vitality. A delicate nose and full lips were her most captivating features. Her eyes remained downcast and did not look up to see her. Amanda nodded, more from appreciation than anything else. It was a classic response. The woman knew the police had arrived and was embarrassed by the situation she was in.
'I'm Detective Inspector Jennings,' she said softly to the woman. Now she looked up and she could see she had eyes the colour of jade. 'I believe you know why we are here?'
'Yes.' Her voice was quiet.
'What's your name?'
'Sung. Sung Bohrman.'
'You've been accused of shoplifting from this shop,' continued Amanda, her tone soothing, the way she had been taught in order to get people to work with you rather than against you. It was a theory that had always worked for her most of the time. She didn't believe in being aggressive in her mannerisms. Sometimes, however, she had to be. In this case it was better to take a more approachable tone. 'Is this true?'
'No.'
'Look in her bag,' protested the manageress. 'Then you'll see that she is lying to you.'
'Please, Ms Locksley,' Amanda responded. 'Perhaps it would be best if you returned to the shop and allowed us to deal with this.'
'No,' she refused. 'I'm staying here.'
Amanda shrugged her shoulders. 'I need to look in your bag Miss Bohrman. I have to do so but would prefer your cooperation.
Sung Bohrman reached down beside her and picked up a shopping bag. The name on the side told her it had come from a different clothing store. She held it up and Amanda stepped forward and took it from her, turning away from her as it was placed on the desk. She opened it and looked inside. There was a black dress that she removed that she knew would look stunning on the woman who had purchased it. A matching jacket went with it. Under these garments were some items of lingerie and three pair of stockings. A receipt lay at the bottom. She took it out and examined it. According to the receipt the woman had bought the dress, jacket and stockings at the other shop. It was just the lingerie that remained unaccounted for.
