Andrew Lawrence Twining, a 32-year-old constable with Melbourne’s Victoria Police, had known since he was a child that he wanted to be a police officer. He began training shortly after his 18th birthday. “A damn good cop who kept his cool even under stress,” is how one of his colleagues describes him.
During the day Andrew patrolled on his motorcycle, and he often spent his evenings alone at home. He was actually a cheerful guy who liked to joke. But after a divorce the year before, he was in a rough patch. His colleague and closest friend, the lanky Glenn Humble, knew about it.
Glenn, married with two children, barely remembered how dating worked, but he still encouraged Andrew to give it a try. “Just give it a try,” he said, “what have you got to lose?”
On a cold December morning in 2005, Andrew finally gave in and signed up for dating site RSVP.
In his profile, Andrew indicated his real occupation. At the Office of Police Integrity, the department responsible for internal investigations, they probably wouldn’t have been thrilled. But the fact that he was a cop filled Andrew’s inbox. A 25-year-old lawyer? Too young and maybe a bit boring. Andrew was looking for a change in his monotonous life.
Bisexual Aquarius woman who likes to drink socially and values good looks? He laughed a little when he read Jody’s profile, Andrew recalls. Her interests: swinger clubs, spanking and handcuffs. She also lived in South Yarra, his territory. Maybe his friend Glenn was right after all: what did he have to lose?
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