La Danza Morte' by Robert F. Clifton (e reader txt) 📖

list of names as long as your arms, we've got nothing.” answered Wallace.

“I was afraid of that. Then, let me ask you this. Where are we going?”

“Hopefully to an arrest and conviction Sarge. I'm still digging. To my way of thinking the answer as to who killed Gabriela Brunsdorff and why, lays among those in the dance troop of the Baranovsky Ballet. Hopefully, I'll find him or her.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Four

Natasha Dubcek

 

At ten fifteen in the morning of Wednesday, September 13, 1972 Robert Wallace walked down the long aisle inside the Convention Center Ballroom. As he did he saw the orchestra conductor moving his baton as the sounds of string instruments

Resonated from the orchestra pit. On the stage he saw the ballet dancers rehearsing their routine. In a seat in the first row and next to the aisle sat a man, Wallace thought to be Viktor Baranovsky. “In unison! Move together! Move as one person,” said the director.

Wallace took a seat in the fifth row, far enough away from Baranovsky, but close enough to see those on stage.

When Baranovsky shouted instructions his voice interrupted the orchestra conductor and he waved his baton, stopping the music. “Sorry Maestro. Can we try it again from the top please?”, asked Viktor.

After the music started again Wallace saw Baranovsky stand up and shout, “No! No! No! You girls are impossible! The dance is called, The Dance of Friends. You are dancing like enemies. Get off the stage! Get out of my sight! I'm sorry Maestro. Let's take a break. Rest the orchestra. I want Natasha and Alexsey next”, he ordered. When he got up out of his seat Viktor saw Wallace. “You must be the cop I was told to expect this morning,” said Baranovsky.

“Well, if someone told you that, then I'd say they were right,” Wallace replied.

“They also told me that you would want to talk to Natasha.

“Right again, but it can wait until you and her are finished for the day.”

“It might take awhile.”

“I get paid by the hour,” said Wallace as he turned his attention to the lovely, petite young woman who walked out on to the stage. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. As a ballet dancer she was like those Balk had described. She was small, small boned, short but with long beautiful legs. She had very white skin and her dark hair had a pixie cut. He noticed her eyebrows, dark and thick that accented her eyes and oval face.

A few minutes later she was joined by a male dancer. Viktor saw them and said, “When we are ready we will rehearse The Bluebird and Princess Florine.” Turning to the orchestra conductor he said, “The Bluebird in about five minutes if that's alright with you. Alexsey, as the bluebird I want you to enter the stage from stage right at the sound of the music. Natasha, darling, do you know your musical cue?”

“Yes Viktor”, she answered.

It was the first time that Wallace had heard her voice and it came to him soft and melodious. Then, the music started. Wallace was a great admirer of classical music, but had very little experience of listening to music from ballets. As he listen he saw the dancer Alexsey enter the stage and soon he and Natasha were dancing together. At eleven fifty five in the morning Viktor Baranovsky stopped the rehearsal telling everyone to be back at one in the afternoon. Wallace was surprised to see Natasha Dubcek come down the steps and on to the ballroom floor and as she walked towards him she smiled. “You must be the police officer I was told wanted to talk to me”, she said, dabbing drops of perspiration from her face with a white, terry towel

“Yes, I'm Detective Wallace.”

“Do you have a first name Detective Wallace?”

“Robert.”

“Robert. May I call you Robert?”

“Certainly.”

“Good. Tell me Robert will the talk you want to have with me be lengthy or short?'

“I'm afraid that it might be somewhat lengthy.”

“In that case, why don't we talk over dinner tonight. I'm tired of eating hotel food and I'm sure that you know the city and the best places to dine”.

Wallace smiled. “I do know the city, but when it comes to dining I'd have to know just what type of cuisine you prefer.”

“Since I'm a dancer naturally I must watch my weight. So, I prefer seafood, if that's alright with you.”

“Fish, or shellfish?”

“Either or both.”

“Time?”

“I'll be ready at seven.”

“Room number at the Trinidad?”

“You don't need to know that. I'll be outside waiting. Don't be late.”

***************

At eight that evening Mrs. Albertino along with her husband George after seating the couple handed both of them menus.

“Would you like wine with dinner?” Robert asked Natasha.

“That sounds interesting. Yes.”

“A bottle of Pinot Noir when you have time Mrs. Albertino”, said Wallace.

“So, I was right. You do know the best places to eat,” said Natasha.

“You haven't tasted the food here yet, but yes I consider George’s one of the best Italian restaurants in town.”

“Even though it's located on a back street.”

“A place where the tourists don't know about. It's one of us local peoples secrets.”

“Oh? I wonder what other secrets you're holding from me?”

Wallace smiled. “I think that it's possible that you might get some from me”.

“I think I will. Now, just what do you want to talk to me about? And, let's get the professional you out of the way so we can enjoy the natural you this evening.”

“Fine. Let's start with the death of Gabriela. You were her understudy. That means you had much to gain with her death. Unfortunately, that gives you a motive.”

“Am I a suspect?”

“Of course not. Wait, here comes the wine. After the wine was poured Natasha took a sip then said, “Please continue Robert.

“Well, since you now know that you're not a suspect can you think of anyone that would want to kill Gabriela?”

“Not really.”

“How about Viktor?”

“What made you think of Victor?”, asked Natasha.

“I think you know as well as I do that Gabriela was getting up there in age for a dancer. Wouldn't it be logical for him to want to replace her with a younger ballerina, such as you?”

“Not as long as ticket sales were up and believe me, they were up. Now, I have to take my performance to a high level and hopefully ticket sales will remain the same or better.”

“How long have you been dancing?”

“Since I was eight years old.”

“So, it took you twelve years and now you're the ballerina.”

“How did you know it took me twelve years?'

“The playbill lists you as being twenty years old.”

“The playbill doesn’t mention the years of training at the ballet academy in Chicago. It doesn't mention giving up my childhood in order to be a dancer, or day after day in dance studios. By the time I was fourteen I was dancing twenty to thirty hours a week. .At age seventeen I apprenticed with a company. The next year I joined the corp de ballet. Then if you're good, really good you become a soloists and hopefully someday, a ballerina.

A dancers career is generally over by the time she reaches thirty years old. Rarely does a ballerina dance until shes forty. Although I think Gabriela would have tried. Now, I'll shut up because here comes the waiter.”

“I'll have the Cioppino,” said Wallace.

“What does that consist of?”, asked Natasha.

“Shrimp, scallops. Clams, mussels and crab meat in a sauce made with oregano and thyme.” said the waiter.

“That sounds good. I'll have that also”, said Natasha as she picked up her wine glass and took another sip.

When the waiter left Wallace said, Now, you're the star, the ballerina, just what you wanted.”

“You saw the rehearsal this morning did you notice the girls in the dance troupe?”

“Yes.”

“Everyone of them want to be the ballerina. I was and am no different.”

“That's only natural,” said Wallace.

“Tell me Robert. If it hadn't been the death of Gabriela would you have a natural interest in ballet?”

“To tell you the truth the only ballet I would like to see is one done to Ravels' Bolero.”

“That's not done too often I'm afraid.”

“So I noticed.”

“Maybe someday I'll do it for you.”

“Really?”

“Really. Now, here comes our dinners.”

As they ate Wallace continued to ask questions. “What can you tell me about Margaret Helms?”, he asked.

“She was Gabriela's dresser. Now she's mine.”

“With the title dresser I assume she helps you in and out of your costume before and after the ballet.”

“Oh, she does much more than that. She also stands in the wings with needle and thread, tape, bottled water, towels, anything that the dancer might need should anything happen, such as costume repairs. In the dressing room she also acts as a handmaid so to speak getting or serving anything that I might need or want.”

“Seems to me that the ballerina is somewhat pampered.”

“I'll agree, but at the same time mention that by the time a dancer becomes a ballerina, she has earned that kind of attention.”

“And, in my opinion you like the attention.”

“I'll admit to liking the attention you're paying to me.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“You keep staring at me. Why?”

“I'm fascinated with your hair style.”

“Really? It has to be somewhat short. Long locks of hair can not be seen being tossed in the air as one spins, jumps or twirls.”

“Well, I like it. Now, to change the subject, how did you like your dinner?,”asked Wallace.

“It was excellent. Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I should thank you. You've co-operated with my questioning and at the same time provided me with beauty and delightful company. If you're ready we can go.”

“Not yet Robert. I think that we should have coffee. At the same time you can have the cigarette that you want so badly. Then, Detective Wallace it will be my turn to ask the questions.”

“Wallace smiled. “Be careful. You're becoming a woman after my own heart. Is my need for a smoke that apparent?”

“Yes Robert and if I were, after anything I'd want much more than your heart."

After the coffee was served Wallace stirred the cream and sugar with a spoon, then reached into his shirt pocket and removed a pack of cigarettes. “You're sure that this won't bother you?” he said.

“No, not at all. Enjoy yourself. Now, tell me all about yourself,” she said.

“There's not too much to tell. I'm a local guy, born here, raised here, left here to do a hitch in the navy. Came back. Took a job as a police officer and here I am with you.”

“That's all you can tell me?”

“Yep, afraid so.”

“Why are you still single?”

“I haven't met the right woman and while I wait I enjoy being a bachelor.”

“And, I assume there are many rewards for being a bachelor.”

“Yes, about the same amount as a single woman. The Victorian days are long gone thank goodness. Now, I see that you've finished your coffee. If you're ready we can go.”

“Fine, but I don't want to go back to the hotel and sit in a hotel room. Can we go someplace else?”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Show me where you live.”

“Why?'

“Because I still have questions about you that I want answered.”

“All of a sudden, you're the one doing an investigation. Very well. I'll show you what you want to see.”

“I hope so.”

Later, as they rode the elevator to the sixth floor Natasha said, “So you live in a condominium. How nice.”

“I don't know how nice it is, but it's comfortable as well as convenient,” Wallace replied as they stepped out into the sixth floor hallway.

He unlocked the door, opened it and allow Natasha to enter first. “Oh my, Very nice. Amazing that you keep it so neat,” she said.

“I don't, my housekeeper picks up after me.”

“So, we have a police officer who not only lives in a condominium, but at the same time has a housekeeper. Interesting, said Natasha.”

“If you say so. It seems normal to me.”

“Forgive me for asking, but your salary couldn't possibly pay for all of this.”

“True, but I own the building.”

“Really?”

“Yep.”

“Well, as the saying goes, there's