Free Broken Serenade by Dorina Stanciu Page B

entire place is still under investigation.”
        “Of course, I imagined that. Anyway, thank you for calling and reminding me. I will wait for your instructions. I don’t want to create any problems. I’m more anxious than you are to see this horrible murder solved. Arlene was a wonderful girl. She didn’t deserve that. Nobody deserves that kind of death.”
        “I agree with you. Unfortunately, monsters do live among us. Aaaa…tell me, Miss Hopkins, did you think of something… anything else regarding Miss Morgan? I repeat, the most apparently insignificant detail could be a break in the case.”
        “No, I’m sorry , but I have nothing more to add to my initial statement,” she answered. 
        “Miss Hopkins, I looked through your store papers, and I noticed that Arlene was not your first choice as an employee.” 
        “Yes, the young lady before Arlene had worked for my grandmother too. Evidently, she had more experience, so I chose her. Subsequently, I caught her stealing money from the cash register. I fired her on the spot, and I hired Arlene who happened to be next on the list of candidates.”  
        “But there were also three men who applied for the job. Why haven’t you considered one of them? Do you have something against men, Miss Hopkins?”  
        “Detective Leonard, if your intention is to find out what my sexual orientation is, I don’t understand your behavior. It is ridiculously bashful. For that job, I preferred a woman – a young and beautiful woman for that matter – because the store sells jewelry and fine objects d’art. Just take a look at your hands. Do you think that you could present a diamond ring, a pair of filigree earrings, or a miniature glass puppy with grace and delicacy?”   
        “Are you a lesbian, Miss Hopkins?”   
        “No, detective Leonard, I am not.” But I could probably turn into one if all men were impossible and annoying as you are , she thought. 
        “Thank you, Miss Hopkins. Could you possibly come this morning to the police quarters here in Menlo Park? Let us say… around 10AM. We need another statement from you.” 
        “What about? The fact that I’m not a lesbian?” Vivien asked sarcastically.
        “No, Miss Hopkins. About the yesterday morning events – the way you remember them today. Yesterday you were in shock. You could’ve easily omitted important details. Unintentionally, of course!”
        “I’ll be there in less than an hour,” Vivien assured him. She slammed down the receiver without another word.    
        Holy crickets! This is a wonderful way to start my day – at the police station! This miserable cop thinks I’m a suspect. You’re on the wrong path, jackass!
        She elected to wear a fine wool suit in salt and pepper. It was an interesting design with large cuffs and ample, elaborate collar made of thicker black fabric. The pencil skirt ended four inches above her knee. It exposed only enough to arouse interest, nothing in excess. The coat, with its colors contrast, accentuated her small, delicate waist. She cheered it up with a very feminine ivory silk blouse that sported a deep, indented décolletage.
        Just before leaving the house, she changed her black high-heel shoes with newly purchased over-the-knee boots. After that, she grabbed her purse and keys and opened the door furiously. A blue envelope fell at her feet startling her. She picked it up and examined it, sending a few suspicious glances around her. There was no one in sight. She opened it. As she read its content, her visage brightened little by little.  
             Dear Miss,
         As I passed your house so many times lately, your interpretative talent and your passionate performances fascinated me. I would like you to be my piano teacher, and I assure you that I am the least trouble-making student you’ve ever had. I will be in front of your door tomorrow, November